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Master of Arts (with Honours) - MA (Hons)
Politics, Philosophy and Economics
University of Edinburgh
Entry requirements
Here's what you will need to get a place on the Politics, Philosophy and Economics course at University of Edinburgh.
Select a qualification to see required grades
A level
A*,A*,A*
A*A*A* - A*AA. Required subjects: A levels: Mathematics at B or AS Mathematics at A. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
Tuition fees
| Location | Fees |
|---|---|
| England | £9,535 per year (provisional) |
| Scotland | £1,820 per year (provisional) |
| Wales | £9,535 per year (provisional) |
| Northern Ireland | £9,535 per year (provisional) |
| Channel Islands | £9,535 per year (provisional) |
| Republic of Ireland | £9,535 per year (provisional) |
| EU | £29,600 per year |
| International | £29,600 per year |
Course summary
What this course is about
UCAS code: L251
Here's what University of Edinburgh says about its Politics, Philosophy and Economics course.
Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) examines different interdisciplinary perspectives on many of the pressing issues of the modern world.
This programme will equip you with the key skills to engage with the political, philosophical and economic debates of the day. You will be able to pursue a variety of career paths after graduation.
Politics
Politics is concerned with:
-
the choices that political systems must regularly make
-
explaining the processes that maintain or change those systems
-
examining the concepts and values used in political analysis
Philosophy
Philosophy helps you develop analytical rigour and logical reasoning, and addresses questions regarding how we acquire knowledge and make ethical judgements.
Economics
Economics studies the allocation of resources and decision-making by consumers, firms and governments. It is increasingly central to:
-
governmental policy-making
-
the conduct of businesses
-
the enormous economic transformations throughout the world
Programme benefits
-
You will gain the necessary frameworks for thinking about political and philosophical issues, combined with the quantitative skills for answering political and economic questions.
-
Study under leading academics and researchers in the field.
-
Home to the Scottish Parliament, the city of Edinburgh offers the perfect location in which to study politics.
Source: University of Edinburgh
Course details
Qualification
Master of Arts (with Honours) - MA (Hons)
Department
School of Social and Political Science
Location
Central area campus | Edinburgh
Duration
4 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Subjects
• Philosophy
• Economics
• Politics
Start date
14 September 2026
Application deadline
14 January 2026
University of Edinburgh reviews
Showing 108 reviews
1st year student
I love our student union, I think it is a great space and a good bar, however the student union club could do with a bit of work, making it more accessible and having a range of music. The drinks are a good price, and food deals are welcomed!
1 year ago
1st year student
Campus is sociable and vibrant during the day and in the evening. There is lots to do throughout the week, but I do feel that this dies down quickly. I think overall it is very good, but that there could be better communication in showing students what is out there. rn
1 year ago
1st year student
I haven't been made aware of financial support offered, but I know there is it out there, so potentially it could be advertised more. I would say that the university is adding to rising prices of 1st year student accommodation- not helping living in a city where renting student flats is already very...
1 year ago
1st year student
I have had good communication with my student advisor, and have no complaints. However, I feel I have not needed to communicate lots with academic support, so maybe I am not the best representative. The same goes for welfare services.
1 year ago
1st year student
These are great! The main library could be slightly larger or have more seating areas, just as it is often difficult to find a seat. But I love all the other libraries available, and the fact that our main one is 24/7.
1 year ago
1st year student
I personally enjoy my course, but feel as if first year has been very broad. I understand all things need to be covered, but potentially there could be an evaluation of things everyone has learnt across Higher Scottish exams, A-level and international qualifications, to limit going over unnecessary ...
1 year ago
National Student Survey (NSS) scores
The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.
The Politics, Philosophy and Economics course at University of Edinburgh features content from more than one subject area. Using the options below, you can see ratings from students who took courses in each of these subject areas at this uni
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
82%
med
Teaching on my course
82%
med
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
81%
low
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
87%
low
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
72%
med
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
89%
med
Learning opportunities
73%
low
Learning opportunities
73%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
74%
low
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
81%
low
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
72%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
82%
med
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
56%
low
Assessment and feedback
64%
low
Assessment and feedback
64%
low
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
77%
low
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
73%
low
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
50%
low
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
61%
low
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
58%
low
Academic support
83%
low
Academic support
83%
low
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
86%
med
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
80%
low
Organisation and management
77%
low
Organisation and management
77%
low
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
79%
low
How well organised is your course?
75%
low
Learning resources
88%
med
Learning resources
88%
med
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
84%
med
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
90%
med
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
89%
med
Student voice
69%
low
Student voice
69%
low
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
49%
low
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
86%
med
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
71%
low
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
57%
low
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course.
72%
low
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
76%
low
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
87%
med
Teaching on my course
87%
med
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
79%
low
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
95%
med
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
82%
low
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
91%
med
Learning opportunities
71%
low
Learning opportunities
71%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
82%
low
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
70%
low
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
64%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
84%
low
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
53%
low
Assessment and feedback
56%
low
Assessment and feedback
56%
low
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
66%
low
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
71%
low
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
51%
low
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
46%
low
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
46%
low
Academic support
83%
low
Academic support
83%
low
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
88%
low
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
79%
low
Organisation and management
65%
low
Organisation and management
65%
low
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
66%
low
How well organised is your course?
64%
low
Learning resources
84%
low
Learning resources
84%
low
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
78%
low
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
92%
med
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
81%
low
Student voice
63%
low
Student voice
63%
low
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
35%
low
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
88%
med
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
67%
low
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
52%
low
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course.
70%
low
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
56%
low
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
88%
med
Teaching on my course
88%
med
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
78%
low
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
95%
med
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
87%
med
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
93%
med
Learning opportunities
71%
low
Learning opportunities
71%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
73%
low
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
76%
low
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
68%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
80%
low
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
59%
low
Assessment and feedback
64%
low
Assessment and feedback
64%
low
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
76%
low
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
72%
low
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
60%
low
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
47%
low
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
63%
low
Academic support
85%
low
Academic support
85%
low
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
86%
low
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
83%
low
Organisation and management
67%
low
Organisation and management
67%
low
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
67%
low
How well organised is your course?
67%
low
Learning resources
87%
med
Learning resources
87%
med
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
84%
med
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
92%
med
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
85%
med
Student voice
65%
low
Student voice
65%
low
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
39%
low
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
85%
med
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
71%
low
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
53%
low
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course.
68%
low
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
57%
low
Student information
The Politics, Philosophy and Economics course at University of Edinburgh features content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below to find out about the students taking courses in each of those subject areas at this uni.
| Most popular A-levels studied | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Grade | |||||
| Religious Studies | A | |||||
| English Literature | A* | |||||
| Mathematics | A* | |||||
| Government and Politics | A | |||||
| History | A | |||||
| Most popular A-levels studied | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Grade | |||||
| Mathematics | A* | |||||
| Economics | A* | |||||
| History | A* | |||||
| Further Mathematics | A* | |||||
| Physics | A | |||||
| Most popular A-levels studied | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Grade | |||||
| Government and Politics | A | |||||
| History | A* | |||||
| English Literature | A* | |||||
| Mathematics | A | |||||
| Economics | A* | |||||
Graduate prospects
What graduates do next
We have no information about graduates who took Politics, Philosophy and Economics at University of Edinburgh.
Earnings after graduation
The Politics, Philosophy and Economics course includes content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below for University of Edinburgh graduate earnings across each of those subject areas.
Earnings
£32.5k
First year after graduation
£44.9k
Third year after graduation
£57.3k
Fifth year after graduation
Earnings
£27k
First year after graduation
£33.2k
Third year after graduation
£40.2k
Fifth year after graduation
Earnings
£26.3k
First year after graduation
£30.5k
Third year after graduation
£33.2k
Fifth year after graduation
Shown here are the median earnings of graduates at one, three and five years after they completed a course related to Politics, Philosophy and Economics.
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree
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