Philosophy, Politics and Economics BA (Hons)

What is special about this course?

This multidisciplinary programme offers the unique opportunity to study three of the most important realities impacting people’s lives. The comprehensive programme aims to analyse core features within each area.

Economics: You will examine how economic agents (individuals, households, and businesses) and markets behave and interact, and are influenced by economical features such as inflation, economic growth and unemployment, and monetary and fiscal policy. 

Politics: You will examine how politics shapes our lives and how it is organised differently around the world. You will explore the various forms of governance operating in clans, modern local and national governments, institutions, sovereign states, and at international level. 

Philosophy: Philosophy seeks to understand and critically question ideas concerning the nature of reality, values, and experiences, that play a pervasive role in understanding the world and ourselves. Problematic concepts, such as existence, reason, truth, etc, will be studied as they are important realities in every sphere of human experience. Other concepts belong to 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; civil and diplomatic services; teaching; journalism; and banking  

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
• This is a Category 2 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required for specific optional modules/unit(s), where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in optional module/unit(s), but an alternative pathway exists to achieve target qualification. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage

Advanced entry to year two:

• HNC Social Sciences (12 SQA credits) with 3 additional SQA 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

SWAP Access courses
If you are eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP), please visit our SWAP access list for further information on grade profiles and available subjects.

Year 1 - CertHE

Core modules are:
Philosophy:

• Problems in philosophy
• Thinking and writing for study, work and life

Politics: 

• Ideas and ideologies in politics
• The evolving 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:

• Knowledge: a philosophical analysis
• Moral philosophy

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:

• Continental philosophy
• Philosophy of religion
• Philosophy of science

Politics:

• Challenging liberal democracy: political ideas in a changing world
• European politics
• Wars of the 'Promised Land'
• Devolution, federalism and territorial politics module

Economics:

• Globalisation and sustainable development
• Literature review
• Community-based economic development

Year 4 - BA (Hons)

Modules may include:

Philosophy: 

• Philosophy of language
• Neurons, brains, and minds: a philosophical analysis
• Scottish tradition in philosophy

Politics:

• Geopolitics: territory, security and strategy
• Political theory
• Terrorism and unconventional warfare

Economics: 

• Geo-political development issues
• The consumerist society

You must also complete a dissertation (40 credits).

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

• EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
• EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
• EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

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:

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) - £1,542.

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes.  For 2022-23, students will get an automatic scholarship of £3,000 per annum and the 4^th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study on the UK.

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:

Part-time study is not open to international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship 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 rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous 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.