BA (Hons) Politics, Philosophy and Economics Bachelor's degree at the University of Exeter
BA (Hons) Politics, Philosophy and Economics at University of Exeter. Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Exeter is built around the idea that today's most pressing questions, how markets should be regulated, what a just society looks like, how power is actually exercised, rarely sit neatly inside one…
About this course
Explore what Exeter graduates do | Career Zone | University of Exeter Section links Career Planning Reflect on yourself Explore your options Exploring Postgraduate Study Employment Sectors Explore what Exeter graduates do Anthropology Arab and Islamic Studies Archaeology Art History and Visual Culture Biosciences Class From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Politics, Philosophy and Economics is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at the University of Exeter, based in Streatham Campus. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Economics graduates from this provider, 100% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 85% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £35,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Economics, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Moderate evidence Published sample: 90; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 100% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 33 modules
- Mathematics for EconomistsCompulsory15 credits
- Economic PrinciplesCompulsory30 credits
- Basic Quantitative MethodsCompulsory15 credits
- Power and DemocracyCompulsory15 credits
- Knowledge and Reality 1Compulsory15 credits
- Knowledge and Reality 2Compulsory15 credits
- Introduction to Philosophical AnalysisCompulsory15 credits
- Philosophy of MoralityCompulsory15 credits
- Introduction to FinanceOptional15 credits
- Introduction to StatisticsOptional15 credits
- Statistics for Business and ManagementOptional15 credits
- History of Economic ThoughtOptional15 credits
- Introduction to Data Science in EconomicsOptional15 credits
- Introduction to Behavioural EconomicsOptional15 credits
- Personal FinanceOptional15 credits
- Philosophical Problems 1Optional15 credits
- Evidence and Argument 1Optional15 credits
- Introduction to Asian PhilosophyOptional15 credits
- Philosophy of FilmOptional15 credits
- Introduction to Artificial IntelligenceOptional15 credits
- Politics and Economy of the Contemporary Middle EastOptional15 credits
- Globalisation of World PoliticsOptional15 credits
- The Challenges of World Politics in the Twenty-First CenturyOptional15 credits
- Classical Political ThoughtOptional15 credits
- Early Modern Political ThoughtOptional15 credits
- Introduction to Comparative PoliticsOptional15 credits
- International Politics of the Global SouthOptional15 credits
- The State of the UK: Identifying Marginalised Identities and Addressing InequalitiesOptional15 credits
- Global Sustainability Policy and GovernanceOptional15 credits
- The Politics of DevelopmentOptional15 credits
- Introduction to Public Policy and AdministrationOptional15 credits
- Population and SocietyOptional15 credits
- Introduction to Social DataOptional15 credits
Year 2 15 modules
- Intermediate MicroeconomicsCompulsory15 credits
- Intermediate MacroeconomicsCompulsory15 credits
- The Economics of PoliticsCompulsory15 credits
- Political PhilosophyCompulsory15 credits
- Philosophy of Mind 1Compulsory15 credits
- Body and MindCompulsory15 credits
- MetaphysicsCompulsory15 credits
- Philosophy of LanguageCompulsory15 credits
- Philosophical ResearchCompulsory15 credits
- Moral Agency in Social ContextCompulsory15 credits
- Study AbroadCompulsory120 credits
- Employment ExperienceCompulsory120 credits
- Economics DissertationCompulsory30 credits
- DissertationCompulsory30 credits
- Philosophy DissertationCompulsory30 credits
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
The degree is structured to build genuine fluency across three disciplines rather than a surface-level acquaintance with each. You'll start with core theory, the foundational concepts, models and frameworks that economists, philosophers and political scientists actually use to make sense of the world, before moving into research and methods, where you learn to interrogate evidence, construct arguments and test claims rather than simply repeat them. Applied practice then asks you to take that theoretical grounding and use it on real problems, whether that's a policy debate, an ethical dilemma or an economic puzzle. As you progress, specialist options let you lean into the areas that interest you most, such as political theory, behavioural economics, or philosophy of mind and ethics, allowing your degree to develop a shape that reflects your own intellectual curiosity rather than a fixed template. An independent project gives you the space to pursue a question in real depth, working with a supervisor to design, research and write up something substantial and self-directed. Throughout, professional skills are woven into the teaching, writing clearly, presenting arguments persuasively, working with data, and thinking critically under scrutiny, skills that matter whether you end up in a lecture hall, a boardroom or a policy unit.
Who it's for
This course suits people who find themselves asking "why" more than "what", the kind of student who reads a news story about inflation or an election result and wants to understand the reasoning, incentives and values underneath it, not just the headline. If you enjoy debating ideas, are comfortable holding two positions in tension while you work out which one you actually believe, and don't mind being told your argument has a hole in it (so you can go and fix it), you'll likely feel at home here. It also suits those who like variety: one week you might be working through a formal economic model, the next dissecting a philosophical text on justice, the next analysing how a piece of legislation actually got passed. Studying PPE at Exeter will mean a lot of reading, a lot of discussion, and a fair amount of uncertainty as you learn to sit with questions that don't have neat answers, if that sounds more exciting than daunting, this is likely to be a good fit. Most entrants arrive with A-levels or equivalent qualifications, typically within the 144–159 UCAS tariff range, though this reflects what past students have brought rather than a fixed requirement.
Careers & job market
Nationally, across Economics courses, 87% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 75% of those in work are in roles classed as highly skilled, figures that reflect the national Graduate Outcomes picture for the subject area rather than a guarantee tied to any single university. National earnings data (LEO) for graduates in this field show starting salaries, measured 15 months after graduation, typically ranging from £26,500 to £35,000; by three years out this widens to £26,775–£37,800, and by five years to £36,125–£51,000. These figures span a broad range of roles and sectors, from public policy and civil service to finance, consultancy, journalism and further academic study, reflecting how the combination of economic, political and philosophical training can be applied in quite different directions depending on where your interests take you. Nationally, 92% of students on this type of course continue past their first year, either still enrolled or having completed, which gives some indication of how manageable and engaging students tend to find the transition into this kind of study.
University & format
You'll study full-time over three years at Exeter's Streatham Campus, with all teaching delivered in English, graduating with a BA (Hons) degree. The University of Exeter is a public, research-intensive Russell Group university founded in 1955, and its degrees are recognised nationally as a UK degree-awarding body. The university also offers bursaries and scholarships, which are worth checking directly on its funding pages, as eligibility and amounts vary. Teaching quality was rated Gold in the Office for Students' TEF 2023, both useful reference points if you're comparing institutions, though it's worth weighing them alongside the specifics of the course content and your own priorities.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 79% |
| a Baccalaureate | 15% |
| another higher-education qualification | 3% |
| a foundation course | 3% |
| Other | 1% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at University of Exeter →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Economics graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £35,000 | £30,000 – £40,000 | 90 |
| 3 years after | £40,000 | £32,000 – £51,000 | 395 |
| 5 years after | £59,000 | £45,000 – £79,000 | 405 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 90; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in economics · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Economics nationally
National figures for Economics graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 90; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Economics courses at the same study level.
Compared with 594 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Finance ProfessionalsSOC 2020 242 · 25% of published destinations · ASHE median £47,173
- Elementary occupationsSOC 2020 9 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
- Business, Research and Administrative ProfessionalsSOC 2020 243 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £48,746
- Architects, Chartered Architectural Technologists, Planning Officers, Surveyors and Construction ProfessionalsSOC 2020 245 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £45,972
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 40; response rate: 65%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Economics graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Economics graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Banks & consultancies
- Bank of England
- Government Economic Service
- Think tanks
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Economics graduates.
Economics Associate / Director - ManchesterPegasus GroupEconomics Graduate AssistantSt Edward's School, OxfordEconomics ExaminersEduqasEconomics SpecialistVella RecruitmentEconomics AnalystOFWATEconomics PhD Scholarship (ESRC-Funded)Royal Holloway, University of LondonIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
100% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £35,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.8 out of 10: NSS 74.6% · in work or study 100% · continued 90%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Exeter
Social sciences across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Streatham Campus
1,452 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Economics right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to University of Exeter from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by University of Exeter; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check University of Exeter’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with University of Exeter and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Exeter
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
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