MA Politics, Philosophy and Economics

Year 1

You will take introductory courses covering all three subjects:

• Politics and International Relations 1A: Concepts and Debates
• Political Thinkers (an introduction to political theory)
• Morality and Value
• Economics 1 (a full year introduction to core economic models and analysis)

You will choose one of the following courses:

• Greats: From Plato to the Enlightenment
• Logic 1

Year 2

You will study courses covering all three subjects, with the option to begin specialising in your methods training.

• International Political Economy
• Economics 2 (a full year, intermediate level course on micro- and macroeconomic analysis)
• Mind, Matter, and Language
• Knowledge and Reality

You will choose one of:

• Introduction to Political Data Analysis
• Statistical Methods for Economics

In order to progress to honours level, you will be required to achieve a mark of 50% or more in all your Year 2 required courses in politics and philosophy, and a pass in Economics 2 and Statistical Methods for Economics (if the latter is taken).

If you intend to take Essentials of Econometrics, and Applications of Econometrics, in Year 3, then you should take Statistical Methods for Economics in Year 2.

(Revised 1 November 2021 to correct requirements for progression to honours level.)

Year 3

Year 3 is the first year of honours, where you'll be able to specialise further in your studies.

You can choose two single-semester courses from a range of honours options offered in both politics and philosophy, and will choose from four pairings of courses in economics.

Year 4

You will choose to complete a dissertation in either politics, philosophy or economics. You will also choose to specialise in two of the three subjects.

Specialisation involves taking courses worth 60-80 credits in those two subjects, with an option to take one 20-credit course in the third, non-specialist, subject.

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2021/22)

Our facilities

The majority of teaching takes place at facilities located within the University's Central Area. You will also have access to the University's library and computer facilities.

Home to the Scottish Parliament, the city of Edinburgh offers the perfect location in which to study politics – and we offer you a dynamic environment regularly hosting leading international academics, politicians and diplomats.

Study abroad

There are opportunities to study abroad in Year 3 through international exchange programmes.

What are my options for going abroad?

How will I learn?

Courses are taught mainly through a combination of lectures, tutorials and skills hours.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through a diverse set of components, such as:

• essays
• exams
• policy briefs
• group presentations
• tutorial participation exercises

This programme equips you with the skills that employers need, opening doors to a wide range of exciting and well-remunerated careers across a range of sectors, including:

• government
• public policy
• banking and finance
• the third sector

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: AAAAA-AAAA (achievement by end of S5 preferred). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S5.
• A Levels: A*AA - AAA.
• IB: 39 points with 666 at HL - 37 points with 666 at HL.

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S5.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: Highers: Mathematics at B. Higher Applications of Mathematics is not accepted in place of Higher Mathematics. National 5s: English at C.
• A Levels: Mathematics at B, or AS Mathematics at A. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
• IB: HL: Mathematics at 5. SL: English at 5 and Mathematics at 6 (if not at HL). Mathematical Studies is not accepted for any of our Economics degrees.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.

International Foundation Programme

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 at C
• SQA Standard Grade at 3
• SQA Intermediate 1 at A
• SQA Intermediate 2 at C
• GCSE/IGSCE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate Grade C
• IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic module overall 6.5 with 5.5 in each component.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Special Home Edition) 92 or above with 20 in each section. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components.

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

English language qualifications must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the degree you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

English language requirements

As this degree is very popular, we strongly recommend that international students apply by 15 January 2022 as we can't guarantee to consider all applications after this date.

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for MA Politics, Philosophy and Economics

Additional costs

Economics textbooks are required, which cost about £100.

Funding

For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.

Fees and funding

• Enquiry Management Team
• Email: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk