PHILOSOPY, POLITICS AND ECONOMICS DEGREE COURSE (PPE)
Which ideas to you think rule the world? How can we understand the economy as a moral construct? Is unscrupulous banking at the root of the world's problems? Why is politics necessarily about the distribution of wealth? What is and should be the role of the state in the economy, if any at all? Do you want to know more about the philosophy of governance that dominates the world today? If these questions of Philosophy, Politics and Economics are of interest to you then you interest us.
Swansea is the only University in Wales, and one of the select few universities in the UK to offer Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE). Academic staff from the Departments of Political and Cultural Studies and Economics deliver the Philosophy, Politics and Economics programme (also known as the PPE programme). An overwhelming majority of the research in these two departments is world class and the quality of our research feeds right into our teaching on the PPE programme. We are committed to deliver a truly exciting programme which is intellectually wide-ranging, stimulating and demanding.
Dr. Claes Belfrage talks about PPE
The PPE programme at Swansea has unique foci and coverage. PPE programmes tend strongly to focus on the thought of the likes of Aristotle, Smith and Marx. While our programme certainly considers their ideas carefully, these thinkers are all “white, dead, men” and do not reflect the diversity of ideas that inhabit our contemporary world. The Swansea PPE programme, then, in addition to teaching the canon of Western thought, also takes very seriously the ideas of non-Western, contemporary and women thinkers.
Secondly, in contrast to other PPE programmes our students develop a solid understanding of the three subjects individually, but also grasp how each subject could help us understand the other subjects. Our students get more opportunities to specialise on topics of particular interest to them. This reaches its climax with the writing of a dissertation, a longer paper in which students can develop their thinking about a topic of their particular choice supervised by a scholar with expertise on the topic. A unique feature to PPE at Swansea is the option of the Welsh Assembly Placement Scheme which is offered during your final year of study.
Graduates from PPE programmes have pursued extraordinary careers in politics, business, media and academia. The list of prominent graduates is long, but it includes the likes of Bill Clinton, Rupert Murdoch, Aung San Suu Kyi, David Cameron, the Miliband brothers and Isaiah Berlin.
Joe Wilson, BA PPE student says:
Studying PPE at Swansea has been an amazing experience. The subject matter is diverse and interesting and whilst the work load can be heavy at times, the different perspective each subject teaches is invaluable. The three subjects interact and combine to give a deeper more complete understanding of issues in a unique way, which often leads PPE students to fresh and inovative opinions. The lecturers are genuinley passionate about their subject and are always happy to talk and help with any issues. The programme provides a great selection of modules to allow you to tailor it to your particular interests, so no PPE degree is identical but if you're willing to put the work in then PPE has a lot to offer, and Swansea is a great place to study it. The National Assembly internship option is a great experience, unique to Swansea and absolutly priceless for any student considering a career in politics. The setting is fantastic with the stunning beach, unparalleled social life and the Gower just round the corner. I would recommend Swansea to anyone and PPE to anyone with a real interest in the interactivity of nations, power, people and resources.
Weblink to PPE programme.
Come to Swansea University and study for a BA in PPE to open unique doors in your mind and to the world!
For further information, email: ahadmissions@swansea.ac.uk
