- 4th in the UK for our research impact in Philosophy in REF 2021 (Times Higher Education)
- Top 15 in the UK for Business and Economics (The Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2024)
- =18th in the UK for Politics (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023)
The world around us is ever-changing. PPE offers approaches to understanding what surrounds us – and gives you the skills and insights to make a difference.
At Sussex, you’ll learn from experts working on research in global politics, international trade and continental philosophy. For the first two years of your degree, you study all three subjects:
- Philosophy develops your intellectual clarity and lets you explore the ideas shaping our world view
- Politics gives you insights into government and institutions (nationally and internationally)
- Economics helps you understand economic policy and the operation of markets.
In Year 3, you specialise in the two of the three subjects that interest you the most.
When you graduate, you’ll have research, communication and critical thinking skills. You’ll be ready for:
- roles in multinational companies or non-governmental organisations
- working as a government adviser
- managing an organisation.
Internship
In your final year, you have the opportunity to apply for a competitive internship with a Westminster MP.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.
I study a course that I love, with like-minded people and brilliant lecturers – I’ve never second-guessed my decision to choose Sussex.”Martha Cleary
Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) BA
Open Days and virtual visits
Meet us on campus or online
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for this course are currently under review – please check back in early March 2024.
Modules
Find out about our types of undergraduate degrees, their structure, modules and credits
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
Options
Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
- British Political History
- Existentialism
- Explanatory Concepts in Political Science
- Science and Reason
- Truth and Morality: The Meaning of Life
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
Options
You choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
- Ancient Philosophy
- Epistemology
- European Politics
- Feminist Philosophy
- Kant
- Macroeconomics 2
- Microeconomics 2
- Modern Political Thought
- Philosophy of Mind
- Statistics and Introductory Econometrics
- Advanced Macroeconomics
- Advanced Microeconomics
- Applied Statistics for Finance and Economics
- Communicating Politics
- Environmental Economics
- Finance for Development
- Global Economic History
- Introduction to Statistics
- Metaphysics
- Phenomenology
- Philosophy of Language
- Philosophy of Race
- Philosophy of Science
- Political Systems and Issues: France
- Political Systems and Issues: Germany
- Political Systems and Issues: India
- Political Systems and Issues: International Institutions and Issues
- Political Systems and Issues: Ireland
- Political Systems and Issues: The European Union
- Political Systems and Issues: USA
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
Study abroad (optional)
Apply to study abroad – you’ll develop an international perspective and gain an edge when it comes to your career. Find out where your course could take you
If your application to study abroad is successful, you’ll have to meet the academic requirements at Sussex and also at the partner university. Find out more about studying abroad as a Sussex student
Placement (optional)
To help you gain experience and increase your employability, you can apply for an optional placement as part of your course. You’ll be responsible for applying for and securing your placement. Our dedicated careers team can provide you with information and advice. If you’re successful in obtaining a placement, this will form part of your course.
Find out more about placements and internships
Please note that if you’re receiving – or applying for – USA federal Direct Loan funds, you can’t transfer to the version of your course with an optional study abroad period in any country or optional placement in the USA if the number of credits for the placement/internship exceeds 25% of the total credits for your course. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid
Options
You choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
- Applied Econometrics
- Climate Change Economics
- Economics of European Integration
- Economics of Public Policy
- Ethics
- Experimental Economics: Markets, Games And Strategic Behaviour
- Financial Economics
- Global Crisis and European Political Economy
- Industrial Organization
- International Trade
- Introduction to Econometrics (level 5)
- Islamic Philosophy
- Labour Economics
- Macroeconomics 2
- Microeconomics 2
- Modern European Philosophy
- Monetary Theory and Policy
- Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence
- Political Change: Eastern Europe in Transition
- Political Change: Money, Power and Campaigns
- Political Change: Political Parties and Party Systems
- Political Change: The European Union as a Global Actor
- Political Change: The Politics of Euroscepticism
- Political Change: The Rise of Anti-politics
- Political Psychology
- Politics and International Business
- Statistics and Introductory Econometrics
- Topics in Growth and Inequality
- Behavioural Economics
- Democracy and Inequality
- Economics of Crime
- Economics of Education
- Economics of Gender and the Family
- Economics of Sports
- Feminism and Women's Political Activism in Britain
- Governing Technology
- Immigration and the Liberal State
- Independent Study/Internship Option
- Political Corruption
- Populism and Politics
- The British Economy in the Twentieth Century
- The Economics of Development
- The Politics of Feeling
- Themes in Analytic Philosophy
- Themes in Language, Truth and Literature
- Themes in Post-Kantian Philosophy
- Themes in Social and Political Philosophy
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
Writer-in-Residence Scheme
Stephen Bush, the award-winning journalist, and columnist and associate editor at the Financial Times, is our Political Writer in Residence.
In this role, he’ll deliver a number of writing workshops for first-year Politics students. This gives you the opportunity to develop your skills as a political writer and to become an outstanding political communicator. Stephen will also provide personalised feedback on student blogs.
Working with students challenges me to think about how I write day to day. And with our archive right here at Sussex it couldn’t be a better fit.”Stephen Bush
Columnist and Associate Editor, Financial Times
Silver
The student experience and student outcomes are typically very high quality.
This rating was awarded in 2023, for four years.
(Teaching Excellence Framework 2023)
Find out more about our approach to teaching and supporting you to thrive
Our staff
Economics
Dr George Mackerron
Senior Lecturer in The Economics of Environment, Energy & Climate Change
Philosophy
Politics
Fees
Fees are not yet set for the academic year 2025/26 – please check back in September 2024. Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis.
Find out about typical living costs for studying at Sussex
Find out about our terms and conditions
Scholarships
Details of our scholarships are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2025/26.
Careers
Develop skills in communication, critical thinking and research with a Philosophy, Politics and Economic BA from Sussex. These skills mean you can go on to jobs working at multinational companies, non-governmental organisations, advising governments and managing organisations.
Outside the classroom, you can join our Philosophy or Politics Societies where you:
- get involved in philosophical debates
- attend talks by visiting speakers
- attend weekly politics meetings and take part in debates.
You will also benefit from specialist economics career events and workshops where you can:
- meet and hear from graduate employers and former Sussex students
- find out more about graduate schemes.
What to do with a Philosophy degree
Explore the careers you might be interested in after studying for a degree in Philosophy
Working while you study
Our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can help you find part-time work while you study. Find out more about career development and part-time work