Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE with Foundation Year)

Business Foundation Year

Compulsory modules

• Business Fundamentals

  Explore business studies, including some of the core areas and concepts associated with the study of business. You’ll look at people’s motives for setting up in business and the different types of businesses they can create, as well as an introduction to marketing and some of the ways in which businesses promote themselves and their products. 

  You will learn how business performance is measured; including an introduction to cash flow forecasts and the profit and loss account. Finally you’ll study how businesses organise their workforce and manage people at work, including the application of some of the most influential theories and practices associated with motivation.

• University Study Skills

  This is your introduction to the institutional culture, practices, norms and expectations of higher education and will help you to develop effective academic research and communication skills both written and oral. Also you’ll focus on listening, notetaking and seminar skills that you’ll progress while exploring pastoral, social and sustainability subject areas. You will gain confidence in critical, strategic and collaborative thinking Education for Sustainable Development (Education for Sustainable Development competencies) through a variety of learning activities that encourages self awareness.

• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

  This module will introduce you to the transferable skills and techniques used in environmentally and socially critical thinking through the exploration of issues of local and global concern. These skills will be put into practice through critical thinking and a problem-solving task. You will develop your argumentation skills using the A-C-R method. You will discuss conspiracy theories and misinformation and logical fallacies will be examined. In addition, you will learn how to conduct primary research at a basic level and complete preliminary ethics approval paperwork. You  will develop your report writing skills, your ability to present information visually and your communication skills. All of this will help you question the prevailing norms, practices and opinions of key stakeholders that have contributed to these problems and those that are most impacted by them.

• Economics for Business

  Learn the basic principles of economic analysis and how to apply them to the real-world situations facing businesses and consumers in the UK and elsewhere. You will develop competencies in applying basic economic concepts and theories with confidence, communicating in the language of economics. Also you’ll learn how to analyse and assess economic issues impacting on business operations and decisions using appropriate economic concepts and theories as well as the use of diagrams. 

  This module aims to help you contextualise economic issues within wider concerns including current and emerging social and environmental issues as well as the way economic thinking is framed and contested.

• Culture and Communication

  Study the basic concepts, theories and importance of culture and communication in a globalised world. You’ll reflect on personal, consumer and global cultural identities and how these may impact on perceptions, behaviours and communication across human relations. Building your awareness of cultural diversity and intercultural competencies you’ll understand how to communicate effectively across cultures, and be able to identify the barriers to doing so. Also you’ll explore your own biases and the lenses through which the self and ‘other’ are viewed, contributing towards the development of key skills for culture and thereby Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) literacy.

• Extended Research Essay

  Plan, research and submit an original paper on an interdisciplinary topic of sufficient depth to demonstrate your understanding of the conventions governing the presentations and submissions of academic papers in British Higher Education. The module will help you to develop your research, academic, personal literacies and your critical self-awareness. For you to gain confidence in critical thinking competency for Education for Sustainable Development. It will also help you to work as an autonomous learner, effectively planning and managing your own time and studies, in preparation for your undergraduate study.

Optional modules

• Development Studies

  In this module, you'll explore key issues in Development Studies, including urbanisation, poverty and social exclusion, environmental challenges, and gender inequality, with a focus on the causes of poverty and insecurity in less developed countries. You'll be introduced to how sociology, human geography and economics interact in the development process and will be encouraged to evaluate development policies critically.

• English Law

  Build your foundational understanding of the basic characteristics of the English legal system such as the function of the courts, and key aspects of:

  • Criminal law
  • Contract Law 
  • and Tort Law. 

  Also you’ll develop awareness of the difference between law in theory and law in practice, as well as the purpose and limitations of the law, equality of access to the law and how the value of justice is treated. Justice is the core theme of UN Sustainable Development Goal 16.

• Global Issues

  At the heart of this module on Global Issues is a deep concern for the future of people and the planet. You'll explore current global issues and will consider their causes and impacts. You'll be invited to reflect on how to drive the changes so urgently needed for a more equitable and sustainable future.

  You'll explore three overarching areas: power, people and planet and will utilise the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UNESCO ESD competencies as a framework of reference. You'll also draw on theoretical models such as Systems Thinking and Futures Thinking that support a transformative learning approach to build the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) competencies that you'll need to navigate and respond to today’s ‘super-wicked’ problems.

  By the end of this module, you'll be empowered with key skills of resilience, empathy and hope that are vital for working towards a fairer, fitter future.

• Ideas and Ideologies

  You’ll examine the major thinkers, theories and movements of the modern era (Enlightenment to modern day). You will have the opportunity to study and reflect on critically diverse theories of knowledge through weekly lectures, readings and seminar discussions. The thinkers and theories you study will reflect the various disciplines you’ll go on to study in the fields of Science, Humanities, Social Science and Business. You’ll explore and reflect on how these ideas from diverse disciplines are interrelated and can support sustainable development.

• Maths and Statistics for University Study [Compulsory for Foundation in Business students who have not met the GCSE Maths entry requirements for their undergraduate programme]

  On this module you will study the knowledge, skills and understanding required to interpret mathematical information and carry out the mathematical and statistical activity necessary for your future studies. 

  This module will help you to develop your confidence with mathematics and statistics. You will build your skills in mathematical fluency, self-reliance and problem solving and how to apply your learning to your studies and in real life. The module adheres to the Education for Sustainable Development competencies of integrated problem solving and developing an awareness of real-world issues.

• Tourism and Hospitality

  Build your understanding and knowledge of the nature and function of the Travel and Tourism and Hospitality industries. Your study on this module will take into consideration:

  • an historical overview
  • the scale and scope of tourism
  • the different types of tourism
  • the sectors that the travel and tourism industry comprise
  • their role and function  
  • the importance of accommodation and hospitality in meeting the needs of tourists. 

  You will also explore the tourist gaze, sustainable tourism and the future of tourism to then critically reflect on them. 

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Building Academic Skills and Engagement

  In this module, you'll develop the academic, digital, and transferable skills required for success at university and beyond. You'll explore the key principles of independent learning, research, academic writing, and communication within the social sciences. 

  You'll exercise skills in how to read critically, write effectively, manage your time, and engage with evidence and argument. You'll also have access to university support services to build confidence, independence, and a sense of academic belonging.

• Introduction to PPE

  You'll discover the interplay between and within Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) by exploring key issues that each of the three component courses have a perspective on and approach to. Topics can include, but are not limited to, climate change, welfare, migration, justice, imperialism

  You'll be supported to transition-in to university life, developing deeper foundational understanding and applications of knowledge. You'll be able to explore your own motivations, aspirations, strengths and strategies for success, resulting in your personal plan of action to maximise your opportunities in and beyond the curriculum.   

  Through the experiential and reflective nature of learning, you'll develop understanding of PPE, self and future aspirations by influencing deep personal values and underlying motivations leading to greater levels of self-belief and resilience in your ability to succeed. 

• Statistics for Economics, Finance and Business

  You'll gain foundation in the essential quantitative techniques for the study of business, management and economics. You'll learn the appropriate statistical software that can be used for business economics analysis. You'll look at how quantitative techniques can be combined with theory to enhance the explanatory power of business economics. The use of Excel as the main calculative software tool, makes the scope of the module even more useful, because you'll estimate your own statistical results using real data as well as to learn how to interpret your obtained results.

• Politics in Comparative Perspective

  In this module, you’ll investigate politics - and the struggle for power - across the nations. You’ll gain a clear introduction to how and why political systems differ in our world today. You’ll examine case studies from a wide range of states, and gain a strong insight into how different regimes function – from the democratic to the totalitarian.

• Political Philosophy

  How is political opinion, authority and democracy shaped and influenced? In this module, you’ll explore foundational issues in political philosophy through exploring the main political ideologies.

  You’ll start your journey with Liberalism as the default position in the West since the English, American and French Revolutions. Your focus then shifts to the ideologies that arose in response to Liberalism, including:

  • Conservatism
  • Communism
  • Fascism
  • Communitarianism
  • Anarchism
  • and Feminism. 

  You’ll also consider questions linked to the theory of knowledge, such as can any ideology be rationally justified?

• Macroeconomics I

  In this module, you will learn about the fundamentals of macroeconomics. You will cover key areas such as consumption, investment, savings, taxation, and the foreign sector. You will gain an understanding of how these variables relate to each other and how they impact the economy. Throughout the module, you will use real-world situations to illustrate the relevance of macroeconomics to your life as a student. You will develop the skills necessary to analyse and evaluate government policies on economic issues, identify the strengths and weaknesses of market economies, and prepare an argument and analysis of a particular macroeconomic event or change.

  By the end of this module, you should have a solid understanding of macroeconomic theory and its real-world applications. You will be able to analyse and evaluate economic policies and their impact on the economy, and identify the strengths and weaknesses of market economies as a mechanism of resource allocation. 

Optional modules

• Maths for Economics and Finance

  This is your introduction to basic quantitative techniques that are relevant to economics, finance and business. On completion of the module, you'll have competence in the application of mathematical techniques relevant to problems in economics, finance and business; an understanding of the basic mathematics of finance and an understanding of the basic techniques of optimisation in the context of economics, finance and business.

• Microeconomics I

  This module on microeconomic analysis will introduce you to economic models and analytical methods of reasoning. Through diagrammatic and mathematical models, you'll explore consumer and producer behaviour. You will learn to recognise relationships between economic variables and present these relationships diagrammatically, as well as interpret market data and apply it to real-world scenarios.

  By the end of the module, you will have a comprehensive understanding of microeconomic principles and be able to apply these principles to real-world situations, as well as evaluate economic policies using the analytical tools and models that you have learned. In addition to developing your academic literacy and research literacy skills, you'll grow skills in self-management, communication, problem-solving and critical thinking.

• From Empires to States: the Origins of International Relations

  In this module, you’ll dive into International Relations, and its key theories. You’ll explore how International Relations emerges from specific cultural and historic concerns. You’ll gain core analytical skills, as you interpret historical events and use them to explore pressing debates on International Relations.

  You’ll learn how International Relations has been shaped as a Western discipline, and how to challenge this by learning about aspects of international relations that have been erased or forgotten. You’ll learn to see International Relations as a rich array of competing stories about our world and what’s possible within it.

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Researching Oxford and Beyond

  You'll look at the development, application and realities of different research methods in the social sciences. You'll equip yourself with the understanding and skills required to analyse research methods, design, processes and research outcomes. You'll study the methods that social scientists use to gather and analyse ‘data’ or evidence, and evaluate and compare these methods. You'll study the ways that research methods are applied in practice, by drawing upon existing examples of research in social sciences. 

  You'll also learn how to design their own research project, in preparation for your third-year extended project work. In so doing you'll carefully explore what is appropriate and achievable for your undergraduate research project.

• Ethics for the 21st Century

  You'll explore recent social and technological developments such as:  

  • globalisation
  • social media and the internet
  • medical and scientific advances
  • mass migration.

  Looking at the new ethical challenges they present that are prominent in public debate and a source of conflict and division in society. You'll analyze some of these ethical issues from a philosophical perspective. 

  You'll consider whether corporations have moral responsibilities and what is the best way to combat racism. Also how are epistemic vices such as close-mindedness, intellectual arrogance and dogmatism fostered by the prevalence of conspiracy theories, fake news, and testimonial injustice?

  Are we right to assume that democracy is the only morally-defensible way to govern a country? Can technology and science help us to improve ourselves?

• Global Political Economy

  In this module, you’ll get to know the global economy. You’ll investigate how economics and politics shape world affairs in both trivial and profound ways. 

  In part 1, you’ll gain a strong knowledge of the history of the world economy. You’ll develop key analytical skills, as you explore competing explanations of how it functions. You’ll gain the tools you need to understand recent economic changes.

  In part 2, you’ll dig into key debates on how the global economy functions today, including: 

  • finance
  • global production
  • trade and international development
  • the relationship between the global economy and the environment. 

• Professional Development in Practice

  You'll have the opportunity to experience the real world of so-called ‘wicked problems’ which are complex and cannot be addressed or solved by only one subject, discipline or professional context. Through hands-on projects working with academics and external partners from within and beyond your chosen subject, the learning experience will help develop your understanding and aspirations by influencing deep personal values and underlying motivations leading to greater levels of self-belief, confidence and resilience in your ability to succeed in complex contexts and working with others. It is for this reason that you'll be supported to be immersed in and contribute to a project that spans multiple disciplines as a way to explore and develop new understanding of yourself and your chosen subject.

Optional modules

• Applied Econometrics

  This module provides an introduction to the interpretation and analysis of economic data through the application of appropriate statistical and econometric methodologies. You will gain practice in applying theory and develop your skills of statistical and econometric analysis through the completion of problem sets. Practising quantitative techniques in seminars is essential in helping you to identify your learning needs and to encourage you to become critically self-aware of your relative strengths and weaknesses in relation to the acquisition of quantitative skills, a fundamental attribute of graduates in economics and finance.

  On completion of the module you will have an understanding of hypothesis testing and statistical inference; the ability to conduct essential statistical analyses of data; and an understanding of regression analyses.

• International Labour Markets

  You'll look at a comparative economic analysis of the behaviour of employers and employees operating in the global marketplace. Applying a common framework of the economic theory of labour markets it seeks to critically evaluate how governments, economic, social and other institutions alter outcomes in labour markets. The module examines the diversity of national policy approaches to labour market and social issues, and will provide you with an understanding of the controversies surrounding labour market regulations and their impact on the labour market.

• Macroeconomics II

  In this module, you will delve deeper into macroeconomic theory and policy by examining national economies and international linkages. You will analyse long and short-run macroeconomic models, fiscal and monetary policies, exchange rate policies, government debt, and currency unions. Through theoretical analysis and examination of recent economic events, you will develop a critical understanding of macroeconomic hypotheses and competing approaches. You will also enhance your problem-solving, critical thinking, and data analysis skills to apply theoretical understanding and empirical knowledge to macroeconomic policy debates.

  By completing this module, you will gain critical self-awareness by assessing the impact of macroeconomic shocks and economic policies in determining key economic variables. The carefully curated learning framework will enhance problem-solving and critical thinking skills, as well as the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Microeconomics II

  This intermediate module enriches the understanding of microeconomic theory built in previous modules. It covers individual consumer preferences, market demand analysis, production costs, pricing behaviour of firms, and asymmetric information. You'll apply economic theory to real-world scenarios, including issues of price and income subsidies, taxation, insurance, and asset markets. The module utilises a graphical approach to help you develop a basic understanding of general equilibrium theory. You'll learn to distinguish between issues of equity and efficiency in product markets, gaining a deeper understanding of economic policies' societal impact.

  Through this module, you'll also develop self-management, learning, communication, and problem-solving skills essential to success in academic and professional settings. By the end of this module, you will have the ability to comprehend key functional relationships, analyse economic issues, and think critically about economic policies.

• Philosophy of Economics

  This module explores some of the philosophical issues raised by economics. Together we'll cover topics like:

  •  the status of economics as a social science 
  •  the philosophy of science about what makes a discipline scientific
  •  the nature of causation and explanation and how they differ between the natural and the social sciences.

  The foundational assumptions of economics involve broader questions about human nature, so we'll delve into the background ideas involved in decision and game theory. 

  When it comes to ethics and political philosophy, we'll talk about the nature of collectives, corporations and their responsibilities. You'll also have a chance to evaluate other ethical questions raised by economics like the treatment of “externalities” in economic theory and questions of value relating to human welfare and the environment.

• Philosophy of Law

  In this module, you’ll be introduced to the basic issues in the philosophy of law. Explore questions such as ‘what is the social function of a legal system?’ through the sociological context of legal systems, as well as the different types of Western and non-Western legal systems

  You’ll examine theories of punishment and their philosophical presumptions, as well as considering topics including:

  • Legal positivism
  • Legal realism
  • Natural law theory
  • Critical legal theory.

• Theorising Power and Society

  In this module, you’ll dive into key ideas within social and political theory. You’ll explore the key debates on themes such as: 

  • the State
  • gender
  • freedom
  • equality
  • power.

  By exploring texts, including Hobbes’ Leviathan and Rousseau's The Social Contract, as well as evaluating topics such as capitalism, progress and “the end of history”, you will develop your interpretation and analysis skills.

• UK Politics

  In this module you will explore the history and detail of British politics, covering the major events and themes of contemporary British politics. 

  Examine the complex institutions that make up the British political system and how these have changed over time, including the evolution of political parties and how policy is made by the executive and implemented by the civil service. 

  You’ll look at political and economic factors side-by-side in how the British state is constituted and how decisions are made. You’ll also cover topics like;

  • the changing nature of the British political system
  • conceptual approaches to British politics
  • the post-war consensus and its end electoral politics
  • declinism
  • Britain’s foreign relations and its relationship with Europe
  • Equip yourself with the knowledge and critical analytical skills to understand contemporary British politics.

• Independent Study Module

  This module offers you the opportunity to undertake your own independent study and research with supervision. You can submit a proposal for independent study, and provided that supervision is available, an agreed programme of work and assessment schedule is constructed for the following semester. 

  You must discuss this module option with your academic adviser or the module leader before registering this module.

• Work-Based Learning

  In this module, you’ll have the chance to carry out a work placement closely linked to Politics. You’ll be supported by your module leader to find a placement that meets your needs, and which will support your learning. With a carefully chosen placement, you’ll build on the skills and knowledge you’ve already gained in Year 1, and you’ll also strengthen vital skills for the workplace, like time management, communication and team-working. 

  Students have found placements in organisations like:

  • Asylum Welcome, working with asylum seekers in Oxford
  • Viva, an international children’s charity
  • Depaul, working with homeless people and immigrants in Paris.

  During and after your placement, you’ll:

  • create a placement portfolio, recording what you’ve done and achieved
  • craft a CV showing your experience
  • give a presentation on your placement.

Optional placement year

Optional modules

• Year Abroad

  This is your opportunity to work or study in another country, so you can experience a different culture from the UK. You’ll be able to apply and test your knowledge and skills in new contexts that will significantly develop your employability profile.

  Choosing this module will allow you to exhibit the development of self-management and working or studying in unfamiliar contexts, alongside practising cross-cultural communication and interpersonal skills.

  You will receive support and guidance to help you find a place in an available higher education partner institution, or to find a work placement for your year abroad. This year abroad module lasts for one academic year and is taken after the conclusion of your second year of study, once you’ve completed all your level 5 studies. Your year abroad is not credit-bearing.

  The opportunity can be approached in 2 different ways. Please see your options below: 

• Study in a non UK University Option

  You can attend a non-UK higher education institution for a full academic year. You’ll be able to choose modules in your own subject or in a subject you consider would benefit your overall course of study. You may choose to deepen your knowledge of your degree subject or enhance it by developing complementary skills.

  By studying in an international university you’ll progress your interpersonal skills through cross-cultural communication with fellow students and tutors, building lasting relationships. Also you’ll further develop your study skills as you focus on your selected areas of interest to you - while developing and progressing an international study experience that will add significance to your CV. 

• Work-based Learning Option

  Undertake a work placement or work-related project based on your interests and existing skills. You will create an initial learning contract that shows clearly how your proposed placement or project will link with your academic and/or professional aims.

  This pathway helps you to have full control over what your work-related learning looks like. You will advance your skills in a practical setting, gain first-hand experience in a work environment, and begin to create your professional network. Also, taking initiative of your learning in such a way will mean that you will stand out when you apply for jobs after graduation.

Final Year

Compulsory modules

• Global PPE

  Build on your experiences of the previous two Supportive Challenge modules. You'll transition-out of university with a good understanding of PPE, yourself, how to articulate your motivations, aspirations, strengths and strategies for success, including a personal plan of action which recognises the opportunities that exist in PPE and how to make a contribution and add value in whatever you choose to do next. 

  You'll benefit from supported engagement and reflection on hands-on real world, authentic activities both supplied by the module team and optionally on any that you may have engaged in/experienced personally outside of the curriculum and university life. The module aims to create an important graduation year step-change in self knowledge and confidence, aiming to build personal evidence on core attributes, competencies, transferable skills (ACTS) and help articulation of next steps in content and formats that suit a range of relevant future graduate workplaces. 

• Social Sciences Extended Project

  You'll develop and utilise your research skills and investigate in greater detail topics encountered in other elements of the programme through an extended project. You'll either work on a community project or a research dissertation.

Optional modules

• Advanced Applied Econometrics

  Further and broaden your knowledge of econometrics. You’ll progress and develop your econometric skills that are needed to be able to successfully investigate economic and financial relationships by using appropriate econometric methodologies. You’ll study examples based on both economic and financial data that illustrate the application of the methodologies you’ll learn to use.

• Contemporary Issues in Economics

  This module adopts a political economy approach and focuses on selected controversial economic issues such as economic growth, inequality, pricing mechanism and resource allocation, unemployment, economics of information, and mechanism designs, and so on. It examines each issue by comparing and contrasting the philosophy and methods of the neo-classical approach with alternative approaches.

• Economic Growth

  This module uses economic theory to analyse the structure and forces behind economic growth and development. You will learn standard theory of economic growth and use those theories to analyse the process of economic growth across countries. You will familiarise yourself with a set of important issues that are central to macroeconomics; develop some dynamic economics knowledge useful in macroeconomics as well as in a number of other sub-disciplines. By the end of the module you will gain  tools to analyse the economy with a long-run perspective that is normally overlooked in the other macroeconomic modules.

• Economic Policy

  This module focuses on selected important economic policy issues and relevant economic tools of analysis, with a balance between macro- and microeconomics. You will develop key skills and knowledge in the economics of public policy, which are a necessary requirement for a career as an academic economist or as an analyst in a wide range of national and international policy-making institutions.

• Foundations of Continental Philosophy

  Phenomenology is the study of conscious experience and of how things appear to us. It can reveal surprising features of our own experience and tell us much about perception and the relationship between the mind and the body. This approach has dominated European philosophy since the early 20th century and we shall focus on the views of Edmund Husserl, Martin Heidegger and Maurice Merleau-Ponty. 

  Existentialism is an approach in philosophy that focuses upon exploring the human condition. Existentialists such as Sartre, Beauvoir, and Camus portray human individuals as having the capacity to make choices as to how to live their lives and thereby create their own identity. The challenge to live an authentic life is a demanding one and can generate anxiety or a sense that life is lacking in meaning. We'll examine the concept that the idea that philosophy should be a way of life rather than a detached theoretical exercise.

• Freedom, Justice and Liberation

  In this module, you’ll explore understandings of freedom, justice and liberation in contemporary social and political thought. We’ll focus on a range of theoretical approaches, including:

  • decolonial theory 
  • feminist and queer theory 
  • post-structuralism 
  • crip theory
  • the black radical tradition.

  These will be put in dialogue with classical theoretical discussions on freedom, justice and liberation. We will discuss questions like: 

  • Is it possible, and desirable, to make claims for justice and liberation based on group identity? 
  • Can past wrongs be addressed through reparations? 
  • Can justice be delivered via the criminal justice system? 

  As such, the module provides students with the theoretical tools to understand and navigate discussions on the meanings of justice, freedom and liberation in contemporary society, and to develop their own positions in relation to them.

• Global Development, Justice and Sustainability

  How can we respond to and solve global injustice and the ecological crisis without a world government? How can we resolve issues in international politics which are beyond the limit of individual countries? A global unified approach is critical for success. 

  In this module, you’ll gain knowledge of the theory and practice of global development, justice and sustainability, and build your analytical skills. You'll take a combined approach of looking at global development and the ecological crisis. You'll examine competing and contrasting perspectives that feature across these global issues. Helping you gain understanding in their global justice implications. Also you'll look at international policy responses and global governance initiatives.

• Moral Vision

  This module explores central topics in metaethics, the philosophical study of the nature of morality and moral judgment. You will explore such issues as:

  • are there objective moral facts?
  • when we make a moral judgment are we making a factual claim or merely expressing our emotions or preferences?
  • is morality culturally relative?
  • how do our moral judgments motivate our actions.

• Thought and Consciousness

  In this module, you’ll get to know one of the liveliest areas of current research: contemporary philosophy of mind. You will explore issues such as:

  • What is the relationship between the mind and the brain?
  • How are our thoughts capable of being about phenomena that exist outside of the mind?
  • Where is the mind located? Is it in our skulls or does it stretch beyond the outer surfaces of our bodies?
  • Is consciousness a mystery or can it be explained from a scientific perspective?

• Independent Study Module

  This module offers you the opportunity to undertake your own independent study and research with supervision. You can submit a proposal for independent study, and provided that supervision is available, an agreed programme of work and assessment schedule is constructed for the following semester. 

  You must discuss this module option with your academic adviser or the module leader before registering this module.