MA Politics, Philosophy and Economics
About this course
MA (Hons) in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, an economics, politics and international relations and philosophy degree exploring pressing global issues through multiple interdisciplinary perspectives. Core topics include Statistics. The four-year undergraduate programme progresses from foundational subjects to advanced analytical techniques and specialized study across all three disciplines. Throughout the first year, students study foundational concepts through modules such as Politics and International Relations 1A: Concepts and Debates, Morality and Value, Economics 1A, and Logic 1. The second year expands into specialized methods and theory, featuring modules including International Political Economy, Economics 2A, Mind, Matter, and Language, and Statistical Methods for Economics. Year 3 builds upon these principles with advanced quantitative and theoretical coursework, including Essentials of Econometrics, Topics in Macroeconomics, Topics in Microeconomics, and Applications of Macroeconomics.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: from A*A*A* to A*AA (required: Mathematics at B or AS Mathematics at A) IB: from 40 points with 766 at HL to 37 points with 666 at HL
Real offers for this course
Applicants have posted 2 UCAS decisions for MA Politics, Philosophy and Economics (L251) at the University of Edinburgh for 2027 entry so far. The published offer is A*AA at A level.
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 17%: 55 offers from 326 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 12 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 95%
- Learning opportunities: 79%
- Assessment and feedback: 87%
- Academic support: 93%
- Organisation and management: 67%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 76%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 6 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Further study: 10%
Most common jobs
- Finance Professionals: 32%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 19%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 19%
- Elementary occupations: 8%
- Information Technology Professionals: 4%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 90 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 6%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 43%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 2%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 34%
Who gets in
Based on about 40 students who started
- A levels: 70%
- Baccalaureate: 20%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Modules
- Politics and International Relations 1A: Concepts and Debates
- Political Thinkers (an introduction to political theory)
- Morality and Value
- Economics 1A (20 credits)
- Economics 1B (20 credits)
- Introduction to the History of Philosophy
- Logic 1
- International Political Economy
- Economics 2A (20 credits)
- Economics 2B (20 credits)
- Mind, Matter, and Language
- Knowledge and Reality
- Statistical Methods for Economics
- achieve a mark of 50% or more in all your Year 2 required courses in politics and philosophy
- pass Economics 2 and Statistical Methods for Economics
- Topics in Macroeconomics & Topics in Microeconomics
- Essentials of Econometrics & Topics in Microeconomics
- Essentials of Econometrics & Topics in Macroeconomics
- Essentials of Econometrics & Applications of Macroeconomics
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Politics, Philosophy and Economics at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £27,500 after 3 years, £33,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,000 and £48,000. The £33,000 median after five years is £15,500 less than the UK median for Economics.
What do graduates of MA Politics, Philosophy and Economics at University of Edinburgh do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Politics, Philosophy and Economics at University of Edinburgh?
95% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Politics, Philosophy and Economics at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is A*AA at A level, or 40 points in the IB. The average entrant had 213 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Politics, Philosophy and Economics at University of Edinburgh?
17% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 55 offers from 326 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Politics, Philosophy and Economics at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Politics, Philosophy and Economics at University of Edinburgh?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.