Philosophy, Politics and Economics BA (Hons)
UCAS code VL52
What is special about this course?
This multidisciplinary honours degree offers the unique opportunity to study the three most influential realities impacting people’s lives and is a comprehensive programme aimed at developing the leaders of the future.
Economics: You will examine how economic agents (individuals, households, and businesses) and markets behave and interact, and are influenced by aspects such as inflation, economic growth and unemployment, and monetary and fiscal policy.
Politics: You will examine the different ways in which politics shapes our lives and is organised differently around the world. The programme looks at various forms of governance from clans, upwards to modern local governments, institutions, sovereign states and finally to international level.
Philosophy: Philosophy seeks to understand, and critically to question, ideas concerning the nature of reality, value and experience that play a pervasive role in understanding the world and ourselves. Problematic concepts, such as existence, reason and truth, occur in every sphere of human enquiry. Others belong to particular areas of thought and practice, such as art and politics. In this programme, you will explore these ideas and concepts and how they influence society.
Special features
- You will have the opportunity to explore and understand key themes within the three disciplines and will be encouraged to debate, discuss and critically think about issues in life and society
- You will gain skills that will enable you to pursue careers in various fields including economics, local and national government, and civil and diplomatic services.
Accommodation
We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.
Entry requirements
Entry to year one:
- 3 Scottish Highers at grade BBC or above, or
- 2 A levels at grade BC or above
- At least two should be from the list of relevant academic subjects
- Applicants with other relevant qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis
Advanced entry to year two:
- HNC Social Science (12 SCQF credits) with 3 additional SCQF credits at level 7 which is equivalent to 120 degree credit points, and at least grade C in the Graded Unit will be considered for direct entry to year two.
Access routes
Students eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP) will be able to apply for entry to BA (Hons) Philosophy, Politics and Economics upon successful completion of one of the below courses with a grade profile of BBC:
- Access to: Arts and Humanities (Newbattle Abbey College)
- Access to: Arts, Social Sciences and Primary Teaching (Edinburgh College)
- Access to: Arts, Social Sciences and Primary Teaching (North East Scotland College)
- Access to: Celtic Studies incorporating Primary Education with Gaelic (Newbattle Abbey College)
- Access to: Community, Education and Humanities (Dundee & Angus College)
- Access to: Degree Studies (Forth Valley College)
- Access to: Humanities (Arts, Social Sciences and Primary Education) (Fife College)
- Access to: Humanities (Fife College)
- Access to: Humanities (Perth College UHI)
- Access to: Languages with Business (Edinburgh College)
- Access to: Languages, Arts and Social Sciences (Edinburgh College)
- Access to: University Study (Dundee & Angus College)
- NQ Access to: Social Sciences (West Lothian College)
- NQ Access to: Teaching (West Lothian College)
Year 1 - CertHE
Core modules are:
Philosophy:
- Introduction to philosophy
- Moral philosophy
Politics:
- Introduction to politics
- Politics of the British Isles
Economics:
- Introduction to micro economic theory and concepts
- Introduction to macro economic theory and concepts
Year 2 - DipHE
Core modules are:
Philosophy:
- Logic
- Epistemology
Politics:
- History of political ideas
- Comparative politics
Economics:
- Applications of economic theory and analysis
- Government economic policy, decision-making and impact
Year 3 - BA
Modules may include:
Philosophy:
- Decision theory
- Philosophy of religion
- Philosophy of science
Politics:
- Modern political ideas
- European politics
- Wars of the 'Promised Land'
Economics:
- Globalisation and sustainable development
- Literature review
- Economics of mountain regions
Year 4 - BA (Hons)
Modules may include:
Philosophy:
- Philosophy of mind
- Scottish tradition in philosophy
Politics:
- Geopolitics:territory, security and strategy
- Political theory
- Terrorism and unconventional warfare
Economics:
- Social enterprise and the small business management
- The consumerist society
- Geo-political development issues.
You must also complete a dissertation (40 credits).
How will I study my course?
Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
As your course was designed using our blended learning approach and has run successfully for many years in this way, we can confirm that there will be limited change to how the course will be delivered next year. From September 2020, you will study online through a combination of video conference seminars, tutor-supported study and self-directed study using the university's virtual learning environment. You will also have an online induction at the start of the course. On-campus activities and opportunities for campus attendance will be introduced in line with the developing Scottish Government public health measures and guidance, including social distancing. Our priority is to provide a safe learning environment for all staff and students.- Full-time
- Part-time (structured)
You will learn through a combination of face-to-face and video conference lectures and tutorials, and online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE) with support from your tutors. Students are expected to engage in a significant amount of self-study.
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years
- Part-time: 8 years
Where can I study my course?
- Argyll College UHI
- Highland Theological College UHI
- Inverness College UHI
- Lews Castle College UHI
- Moray College UHI
- North Highland College UHI
- Orkney College UHI
- Perth College UHI
- Shetland College UHI
- West Highland College UHI
Start date
- September
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland or the European Union/EEA (outside of the UK) and with a term time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| Degrees | 2019-20 | 2020-21 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £1,820 | £1,820 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £645 | £645 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £215 | £215 |
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland studying this course full time, the following fees apply:
| Full-time | Level | 2019-20 | 2020-21 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | CertHE | £9,000 | £9,000 |
| Year 2 | DipHE | £9,000 | £9,000 |
| Year 3 | Degree | £9,000 | £9,000 |
| Year 4 | Honours | free | free |
4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,500.
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK and EU students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| 2019-20 | 2020-21 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £11,650 | £12,000 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year** | £5,820 | £6,000 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module)** | £1,940 | £2,000 |
Part-time study is not open to international student requiring a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK.
Further information on international course fees.
A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time RUK and International undergraduate students for continuous and contiguous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.
Funding
External scholarships and financial support may be available. Contact the relevant university partner college for more information.
What can I do on completion of my course?
The BA (Hons) Philosophy, Politics and Economics is an interdisciplinary programme allowing graduates to pursue a career in economics; business; public services, including the civil and diplomatic services and local government; or to undertake further study in areas such as law, journalism, social work or education.
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
What our students, graduates and staff say
The course is very diverse and allows me to study three influential disciplines that are applicable worldwide. It encourages me to think critically about important issues in our society and further my understanding in the three disciplines. With this degree there are many options and careers to get into; from journalism to diplomacy, as well as various jobs in politics and economics. The options are endless. If you are interested in the three disciplines, this course is definitely the right choice for you.
Viktoria Hricova, from Slovakia, is in her third year of the BA (Hons) Philosophy, Politics and Economics at our Perth College UHI campus.
Apply for Philosophy, Politics and Economics BA (Hons)
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.