Philosophy, Politics and Economics with a Placement Year BA (Hons)

University of East Anglia

Overview

By combining the study of philosophy, politics and economics you can ask how things should be, why they are as they are, and how to change them for the better. On BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics with a Placement Year, you’ll gain high-level training in economic science while exploring political and philosophical approaches to understanding human behaviour. In your third year, you'll spend nine to 12 months on a full-time placement, gaining invaluable working experience and employability skills in a relevant area of your choice. This course combines the ideological with the practical, and equips you with excellent skills in research, communication and decision-making that you can use across any number of careers, including economic analysis, policy advising, think tanks and international organisations, the Civil Service, and even banking and finance.

About This Course

This course will give you the chance to pursue a spectrum of interests. You'll learn to analyse a given economic, political or social problem using tools and concepts from economics, political science and philosophy, applying and combining these different perspectives to derive new insights. You'll learn about the core areas of economics, as well as studying philosophical topics such as scepticism, freedom and morality, and exploring social and political values such as equality and solidarity.

You’ll be based in the School of Economics, and you’ll be taught also in the School of Politics, Philosophy, Language and Communication Studies.

Combining your course with a placement year, you'll typically spend between 9 and 12 months of your third year in a full-time placement. Although you'll be expected to secure your own work placement, dedicated staff within the School and the Careers Service will support and assist you throughout the process of searching, applying for, and ultimately gaining a position. Furthermore, support will also be provided whilst you are on placement and when you return to complete your studies in your fourth (final) year.

You’ll receive the best support and guidance through a dedicated module called STEPS (Skills, Training, Employability, Progression, and Support) running throughout your course, as well as through your academic adviser. A university-wide Learning Enhancement team is also on hand to help you with mathematics, writing, critical-thinking, revision, and time management skills.

Our teaching and assessment provide you with a curriculum that develops and enhances your employability relevant skills and attributes. The course’s syllabus is rich in real world examples and with opportunities for you to experience how the subject and its methods are applied. Guest lectures from graduate employers also contribute to the content of some of our modules. To develop and enhance your employability even further, our employability team organises a wide variety of events, such as: weekly employability workshops, networking and alumni events, one-on-one meetings with top professionals, job coaching and training, nationwide competitions, internships and consulting opportunities, mentoring by former alumni, among many others.

The student-led Economics Society is the perfect place for you to network and socialise with fellow students, whilst our Staff-Student Liaison Committee gives you a say in the future direction and everyday running of the School. The Norwich Economic Publications (a combination of a journal and a Podcast run by students) and the ECO Blog are outlets where you can share your enthusiasm about what you study.

In the School of Politics, Philosophy, Language and Communication Studies you’ll enjoy a lively social and academic environment which plays host each year to a large number of talks by visiting politicians and philosophers.

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