BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Placement Year)
About this course
BA Hons in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Placement Year), an economics, politics and international relations and philosophy degree examining how society, governance and financial systems interact. Core topics include Data Analysis, Statistics, Mathematical Modelling, Research Methods, Policy Analysis, Communication & Writing, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Global & Comparative Perspective. The four-year programme includes an integrated professional placement year spent working in a graduate-level industry role. During the first year, students establish foundational knowledge through compulsory modules such as Parties, Populism and Protest, Political Philosophy: How Should we Live Together?, Foundations of Microeconomics, and Foundations of Macroeconomics. The second year introduces core perspectives alongside optional modules covering topics such as intermediate economic theory, global power structures, and applied philosophical decision-making. The third year consists of a dedicated work-based learning placement year in an external professional environment. The final year allows students to tailor their studies through diverse optional modules in advanced economics, political theory, and philosophy, alongside independent project options including a politics and international relations dissertation.
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: AAB IB: 35 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 98%: 45 offers from 46 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 21 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 82%
- Assessment and feedback: 75%
- Academic support: 94%
- Organisation and management: 76%
- Learning resources: 95%
- Student voice: 70%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 16 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 75%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Finance Professionals: 34%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 16%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 11%
- Elementary occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 55%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 45%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 35 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 40%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 25%
- East Midlands: 5%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 20%
- South East: 5%
- Scotland: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the EFMD Quality Improvement System.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Parties, Populism and Protest
- Political Philosophy: How Should we Live Together?
- Political Theory for a Troubled World
- Knowledge and Reality in a Complex World
- Foundations of Microeconomics
- Foundations of Macroeconomics
- Philosophical Perspectives on Politics and Economics
- Philosophy Guided Project
- Applied Philosophy: Decisions that Change the World
- Language, Communication and Knowledge
- Mind, World and Science
- Democracy, Dictatorship and Everything in Between
- Global Superpowers
- Who Governs Britain? Policy, Politics and Political Change
- Politics of the Global South
- Understanding Political Research
- Intermediate Microeconomics
- Intermediate Macroeconomics
- International Business Environment
- Economic Inequality
- Environmental Economics and Climate Change
- Foundations of Econometrics with Professional Development
- Games and Strategic Behaviour
- Work Based Learning Year
- Philosophy Independent Project
- Philosophy and Popular Culture
- Textual Explorations in Philosophy
- Questions at the Frontiers of Philosophy
- Philosophy For Times of Global Crisis
- Comparative Political Philosophy
- The Politics of Borders and Migration
- Critical Political Theory
- Democracy Under Pressure
- Europe and America
- Parliamentary Studies
- Politics and International Relations Dissertation
- The Politics of Crises and the Future of Governance
- Behavioural Economics
- Current Issues in Economics
- Econometrics and Data Science in Economics
- Growth and Development
- International Trade and Business
- Labour and Health Economics
- Public Policy Analysis
- Global Macroeconomics and Policy
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Placement Year) at Lancaster University earn?
The median salary is £25,000 after 15 months, £25,000 after 3 years, £30,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £22,500 and £40,000. The £30,500 median after five years is £18,000 less than the UK median for Economics.
What do graduates of BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Placement Year) at Lancaster University do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
92% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 35 points in the IB. The average entrant had 135 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
98% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 45 offers from 46 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Is BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Placement Year) at Lancaster University accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the EFMD Quality Improvement System.
Does BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Placement Year) at Lancaster University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory placement year.
How many students continue on BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.