Politics, Philosophy and History

Our BA Politics, Philosophy and History (PPH) gives you the opportunity to gain a strong foundation in the study of political systems, philosophical thought and historical knowledge. It offers you an innovative cross-disciplinary approach to understanding the historical and contemporary world.

Why choose this course?

• It is taught by leading academics from all three subject areas.

• Depending on your interests or career aspirations, you can choose from a wide range of option modules across the three subjects exploring cutting-edge issues such as artificial intelligence, environmental protection and global conflict, while placing these in a historical perspective.

• You will have the chance to join student societies which organise additional talks, study groups and social events throughout the year.

What you will learn

Throughout this course you will gain valuable interdisciplinary knowledge in all three subjects, to help provide you with a competitive advantage in a wide range of careers.

In the first year, you will take core modules in all three disciplines to gain a strong foundation in each, along with an option module of your choice. Following that you will tailor your studies to your own interests choosing from a range of options in politics, philosophy and history.

How you will learn

This BA is taught via lectures and seminars held in the evenings, allowing you the flexibility to study and work during the day. You will also have the opportunity to join study groups, workshops, and to attend academic and social events around Bloomsbury. Supplementary sessions will be offered on campus and online throughout the year to help you hone your study and academic writing skills.

Highlights

• Birkbeck has built up a strong reputation over more than 50 years for the excellence of its teaching and the international significance of its research in politics.

• We are also a leading centre for philosophical research in the UK. All of our academic staff are active researchers, and our excellence in both teaching and research is consistently reflected in UK and international surveys.

• Birkbeck was ranked in the top eight universities in the UK for its History research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.

• Our building was once a key location for members of the Bloomsbury Group, so you could be studying in rooms that have hosted distinguished visitors, including T.S. Eliot, George Bernard Shaw and Maynard Keynes.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this BA Politics, Philosophy and History you will have gained expertise in your chosen subject areas, such as AI, ethics or environment, and be equipped with an array of important transferable skills, including in:

• political analysis

• writing for a wide range of audiences

• delivering presentations

• archival, qualitative and quantitative research.

Graduates can pursue career paths in local and national government, think tanks, policy work, research, museums and cultural organisations, or journalism. Possible professions include:

• diplomatic service operational officer

• civil service fast-streamer

• charity officer

• newspaper journalist.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Course modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.