Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Tackle societal challenges, solve complex problems and offer new perspectives upon the most important issues of today. Philosophy, Politics and Economics BA at Keele aims to develop your skills and knowledge of governance, ethical issues and business. Build a global perspective on contemporary challenges such as the threat of climate change, democracy, new technologies such as AI and the future of work. Enhance your critical thinking skills and evaluate choices and concepts through philosophical, political and economic analysis, in preparation for a career in business, government, law and beyond.

Why choose this course?

• No.1 in the West Midlands for Politics (Guardian University Guide, 2026)

• Politics ranked Top 10 in England (NSS 2025, broad-based universities)*

• Top 20 in England for Philosophy (Guardian University Guide, 2025)

• Opportunity to gain hands-on experience in UK Parliamentary Studies in Year 3

• Enhance your employability prospects with study abroad, entrepreneurship and work placement opportunities

Learn to approach societal challenges from multiple perspectives, solve complex, multi-dimensional problems and build core knowledge and skills with a Philosophy, Politics and Economics degree at Keele. Our programme encourages you to think critically, question established norms and develop a global perspective on pressing challenges such as AI, the future of work and digital-age democracy.

With a focus on governance, ethical issues and business, you will become equipped with advanced social science research skills, philosophical reasoning, logic and economic analysis to act as an agent for change in society. With insights into politics, sustainability and global economy, you will learn to understand the world around us and form ideas and apply theories to analyse issues and practices.

You will benefit from teaching expertise across a broad range of areas, including ethical philosophy, political economy, comparative political analysis, and the analysis of economic phenomena. You will also have the opportunity to engage with projects and placements to provide you with practical experience, applying your learning to real-world scenarios and kick starting your career, working with practitioners from a variety of sectors. This includes the opportunity to complete one of the following compulsory options in your final year: 'Challenge Project for Philosophy, Politics and Economics', 'Dissertation in Politics and International Relations', 'Philosophy Dissertation' or a 'Dissertation in Economics'.

At Keele, you can tailor your degree programme based on your future aspirations with optional modules, and also have the opportunity to study abroad with a partner university, developing global perspectives or learning a foreign language and building cultural awareness.

*We have compared the positivity ratings of all participating UK institutions using the NSS 2025 sector data to determine Keele's position relative to other broad-based universities (i.e. excluding specialist institutions and further education colleges).

About Keele
Keele University was established in 1949 by the former Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University. Founded to meet the needs of a changing world, Keele has always had a pioneering vision to be a different kind of university.

We excel in both teaching and research, with some of the most satisfied students in England, and research that is changing lives for the better at a regional, national and global level.

Our beautiful 600-acre campus is one of the biggest in Britain – but all the most important services and facilities are on your doorstep, with accommodation, teaching spaces, facilities including a medical centre, sports centre and pharmacy, and a range of shops, eateries and entertainment venues – including the Students’ Union – clustered around the centre.