Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Honours)
Overview
Explore global policy challenges and get ready for a leadership career in business, politics, the NGO sector or academia.
This program combines studies in history, society, politics, philosophy and economics — all important for careers in public life.
You'll study with other motivated and high-achieving students to examine current and future global challenges and the world’s most pressing problems.
You'll be taught by teachers who have received a substantial share of Australia’s honours, competitive research grants and fellowships.
With your finely tuned research, analytical and problem-solving skills, you'll be prepared for analytical and decision-making roles across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
Program highlights
- Study at the only university in Queensland to offer a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Honours).
- Learn from internationally renowned scholars from multiple disciplines.
- Benefit from a program that combines rigorous cross-disciplinary training and explores global policy challenges.
Majors
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
- Economics
- Philosophy
- Politics
How you'll learn
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Online study
- Research experience
- Workshops
Placements and work experience
What you'll study
At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:
- Introductory Microeconomics
- Introduction to Australian Politics
- Critical Reasoning
- Introduction to Ethics
Career possibilities
Our programs prepare you for your first job and beyond. Depending on which major you choose, here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Economics, policy and social analyst
- Public commentator
- Political adviser
- Economic policy adviser
- Diplomat
- Foreign affairs officer
- Financial adviser
- Public policy analyst
- Public policy adviser
- Public policy researcher
Professional memberships
When you graduate, you may be eligible for memberships with the following professional organisations. Contact the organisation to find out how to become a member.
- Australian Computer Society
- Australasian Institute of Banking and Finance
- Economic Society of Australia
“My program has given me knowledge in a diverse range of disciplines. The learning and teaching facilities at UQ are excellent and the support services are extensive. These have helped me connect with industry professionals to dramatically improve my career prospects.”
Baxter NormanCurrent student, Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Honours)
“The best thing about PPE is the small cohort. This was really important to me because I'm not from Brisbane and having a small cohort size made it really easy for me to meet people.”
Chloe RyanCurrent student, Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Honours)
“It's great because as well as studying the three disciplines, each year included a subject just for PPE students that unified the three worlds of thought. The classes are small, so you make friends quickly and feel part of a community, and the lecturers are passionate, world-class experts.”
Greer ClarkeCurrent student, Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Honours)
“My program has given me knowledge in a diverse range of disciplines. The learning and teaching facilities at UQ are excellent and the support services are extensive. These have helped me connect with industry professionals to dramatically improve my career prospects.”
Baxter NormanCurrent student, Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Honours)
“The best thing about PPE is the small cohort. This was really important to me because I'm not from Brisbane and having a small cohort size made it really easy for me to meet people.”
Chloe RyanCurrent student, Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Honours)
“It's great because as well as studying the three disciplines, each year included a subject just for PPE students that unified the three worlds of thought. The classes are small, so you make friends quickly and feel part of a community, and the lecturers are passionate, world-class experts.”
Greer ClarkeCurrent student, Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Honours)
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Entry requirements
Prerequisites
Prerequisites
Entry score threshold
| OP | Rank | IB |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 94 | 37 |
These are the lowest adjusted scores we made an offer to in Semester 1, 2020. Entry scores are based on the most recent Semester 1 intake and are updated in April each year. Meeting the threshold doesn't guarantee admission.
ATAR scores: See QTAC's OP to ATAR conversions (PDF) for a rough guide to equivalent ATARs.
English language requirements
IELTS overall 6.5; reading 6; writing 6; speaking 6; listening 6. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ
TOEFL IBT - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21 and speaking 19.
TOEFL PB - Overall 570, listening 54, reading 54, writing 59/5.
Pearsons - Overall Score of 64 and 60 in all sub bands.
BE - A minimum overall grade of 4 plus a minimum grade of C in all macro skills.
CES - Overall 176 and 169 in all sub bands.
OET is not accepted.
There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.
Need help meeting the entry requirements?
Student visas
International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Honours) are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).
There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirement.
Entry score range
This table shows the range of entry scores for recent secondary students offered a place in the B PoliticsPhilosophyEcon(Hons) for Semester 1, 2020
| Without adjustments | With adjustments | |
|---|---|---|
| Highest | 1 / 99 | 1 / 99 |
| Median | 4 / 94 | 4 / 95 |
| Lowest | 6 / 89 | 4 / 94 |
Who you'll study with
Here's a snapshot of our student intake for this program in Semester 1, 2020:
| Applicant background | Number of students | Percentage of all students |
|---|---|---|
(A) Higher education study | 23 | 37.7% |
(B) Vocational Education and Training (VET) study | <5 | <5 |
(C) Work and life experience | 0 | 0% |
| (D) Recent secondary education | ||
| 36 | 59.02% |
| 0 | 0% |
| 0 | 0% |
International students | 0 | 0% |
Total | 61 | 100% |
"<5" — The number of students is less than 5.
N/A — Students not accepted in this category.
N/P — Not published. The number is hidden to protect the privacy of students in other cells.
Majors
Majors
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
Economics
This major is for anyone with an interest in becoming an analyst, adviser, or economist in either the public or private sector.
You'll undertake advanced-level coursework in microeconomics or macroeconomics, including econometrics.
When you graduate, you could start a career as an analyst, adviser or economist in the public and private sectors, whether in business, finance, international development, management or research.
Philosophy
The purpose of philosophy is to learn how to evaluate theories and arguments, how to construct your own arguments and how to communicate ideas in a clear and powerful way.
Through your studies, you'll develop and use analytical reasoning and problem-solving skills, which can be used in endless careers and roles.
You'll also study the philosophy of areas like art, science, education and politics, and learn about different research methods and analysis, which you'll use across your degree.
Politics
You'll learn about the ideas and ideologies that shape political decision-making, and the approaches to cooperation and conflict resolution in the international system. You'll study the interactions of state and market through case studies, and at a more general level through studying theories of governance and politics.
When you graduate, you'll understand the institutions that govern society and solve collective action problems.
Majors
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
Economics
This major is for anyone with an interest in becoming an analyst, adviser, or economist in either the public or private sector.
You'll undertake advanced-level coursework in microeconomics or macroeconomics, including econometrics.
When you graduate, you could start a career as an analyst, adviser or economist in the public and private sectors, whether in business, finance, international development, management or research.
Philosophy
The purpose of philosophy is to learn how to evaluate theories and arguments, how to construct your own arguments and how to communicate ideas in a clear and powerful way.
Through your studies, you'll develop and use analytical reasoning and problem-solving skills, which can be used in endless careers and roles.
You'll also study the philosophy of areas like art, science, education and politics, and learn about different research methods and analysis, which you'll use across your degree.
Politics
You'll learn about the ideas and ideologies that shape political decision-making, and the approaches to cooperation and conflict resolution in the international system. You'll study the interactions of state and market through case studies, and at a more general level through studying theories of governance and politics.
When you graduate, you'll understand the institutions that govern society and solve collective action problems.
Fees and Scholarships
Indicative annual fee
AUD $42,272
Indicative annual fee 2021
This indicative annual fee is the cost of enrolling in the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Honours) for the 2021 academic year. It is calculated based on a standard full-time study load (16 units per academic year).
If you enrol in a larger or smaller study load, your fees will be calculated on a proportionate basis. All fees are reviewed annually.
Indicative annual fee
AUD $14,500
Indicative annual fee 2021 Commonwealth supported place
This indicative annual fee is the approximate cost of enrolling in a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) in the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Honours) for one academic year. It is calculated based on a standard full-time study load (16 units over two semesters).
Actual fees will vary according to your choice of courses and their unit value. The Australian Government indexes fees each year.
Government assistance
Financial aid
As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.
HECS-HELP
Domestic places in the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Honours) are Commonwealth Supported. This means the cost of your education is shared between you and the Australian Government.
Instead of tuition fees, Commonwealth Supported students pay what are called student contribution amounts.
HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their student contribution amounts.
Centrelink support
The Australian Government offers a number of income-support payments to eligible Australian university students.
Scholarships
Make your university experience more affordable with a scholarship. Opportunities include:
Scholarships
Make your university experience more affordable with a scholarship. Opportunities include:
How to apply
Applying online
How you apply depends on what type of applicant you are.
Your senior schooling is from Australia or New Zealand
Submit your application to the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre if you are an international student who is currently:
- completing Australian Year 12 (either in Australia or offshore) or
- studying the International Baccalaureate in Australia.
The QTAC code for the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Honours) is 714112.
Find out more about applying for undergraduate study
All other international applicants
Submit your application to UQ. If you prefer, you can use an approved UQ agent in your country.
The program code for the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Honours) is 2412.
Applying through QTAC
All domestic applications should be submitted to the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC).
The QTAC code for the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Honours) is 714112.
Important dates
If you’re studying Year 12 in Australia, go to the QTAC website to check the closing date for this program.
If you’re applying to UQ, the closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in semester 1 - November 30 of the previous year.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Important dates
To check the closing date for this program, go to the QTAC website.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Admissions schemes
Applying to university can be both exciting and daunting, which is why we’ve tried to make the process as simple as we can.
We have several schemes in place to improve your chances of getting a place at UQ.
Pathway options
A rank or score doesn’t determine your potential.
If you're not offered a place in your first-choice program – or if you don't meet the entry requirements – you still have a number of options.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
For support with applying - or if you have any questions about Uni - get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.
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