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The Open University

Degree

Code
B45
Level
Undergraduate
Made up of
360 credit points

Description

If you’re awarded a BA (Hons) Politics, Philosophy and Economics you will have developed a set of quantitative and conceptual skills which enable you to understand and analyse complex information.

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Planning your studies

If you’re new to study or to the OU, we recommend that you start with a course at Level 1. For this degree we particularly recommend Introducing the social sciences (DD101) (or the two 30-point courses DD131 and DD132).

At Level 2 you must study courses on all three subjects in this degree but at Level 3 you can choose two from politics, philosophy or economics.

There is no time limit for obtaining the required credit points for this qualification; however, you should note limitations on individual courses as mentioned below. You must include at least 120 points from OU courses that have not been counted in an OU diploma or other first degree you have been awarded. If you have graduated with an OU BA degree without honours this requirement is reduced to 60 credit points.

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Career relevance and employability

A degree in politics philosophy and economics is internationally recognised as providing a set of quantitative and conceptual skills particularly relevant for many areas of public service, including civil and diplomatic services and local government. You’ll develop skills to express your ideas clearly and logically; to understand and analyse complex information; and to study independently. It offers you a good preparation for a wide variety of other careers, including banking and finance, politics, journalism and broadcasting, law, industry, teaching, social work, accountancy, business management, management consultancy and advertising. You may need to undertake further training or study to enter a new career area. Ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for the careers publication OU study and your career if you want to find out more about the process of career development and about sources of careers information and guidance.

For planning your next career steps, visit the OU Careers Advisory Service.

There’s more information about the career relevance of degrees on the national HE Prospects website.

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Courses

For this 360-point honours degree you require:

60 points from the following optional courses:

Level 1 optional courses Points Next start
Introducing the social sciences (DD101)

An ideal introduction to the disciplines that make up the social sciences - psychology, social policy, criminology, geography, environment, politics, international studies, economics and sociology.

See full description.

60 Oct 2010
or
Introducing the social sciences - part one (DD131) NEW and

Introduces the disciplines that make up the social sciences - psychology, social policy, criminology, geography, environment, politics, international studies, economics and sociology.

See full description.

30 May 2010
Introducing the social sciences - part two (DD132) NEW

Introduces the disciplines that make up the social sciences - psychology, social policy, criminology, geography, environment, politics, international studies, economics and sociology.

See full description.

30 Nov 2010
or
Introducing the social sciences - part one (DD131) NEW and

Introduces the disciplines that make up the social sciences - psychology, social policy, criminology, geography, environment, politics, international studies, economics and sociology.

See full description.

30 May 2010
You and your money: personal finance in context (DB123)

This practical course builds your financial knowledge and skills, improves your understanding of personal finance and develops your awareness of its social and economic context.

See full description.

30 May 2010
or
Introducing the social sciences - part one (DD131) NEW and

Introduces the disciplines that make up the social sciences - psychology, social policy, criminology, geography, environment, politics, international studies, economics and sociology.

See full description.

30 May 2010
Discovering psychology (DSE141) NEW

This course introduces some of the different ways in which psychologists investigate issues and explores some of the factors that influence human behaviour.

See full description.

30 Nov 2010

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued course D103, DD100, DD121, DD122

If you have previously completed the discontinued 30-point course DD121 you can combine this with either DB123 or DSE141. Please note that you cannot combine DD121 with DD132 unless you also complete DD131.

And 180 points from the following compulsory courses:

Level 2 compulsory courses Points Next start
Economics and economic change (DD202)

Are we living through a new, ICT-led industrial revolution? Explore key topics in contemporary economics while developing your ICT skills through innovative, multimedia teaching methods.

See full description.

60 Feb 2011
Philosophy and the human situation (A211)

An introduction to philosophy grounded in familiar questions about our own situation, including attitudes towards animals, the acceptable limits of individual freedom and environmental ethics.

See full description.

60 Feb 2011 FINAL
Power, dissent, equality: understanding contemporary politics (DD203)

This fresh look at politics explores institutions and ideas – from parliament and the inner workings of power to decision making, protest and the street.

See full description.

60 Oct 2010

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued courses D212, D216, DD200, DDZX200

And 120 points from the following optional courses:

Level 3 optional courses Points Next start
Doing economics: people, markets and policy (DD309)

Examine the various economic theories that explain people’s behaviour in households, businesses and governments and make critical judgements of which alternative best serves which purpose.

See full description.

60 Jan 2011
Thought and experience: themes in the philosophy of mind (AA308)

Explore central questions concerning the nature and activities of the human mind, focusing in particular on emotion, thought and language, imagination and creativity, and consciousness.

See full description.

60 Jan 2011
A world of whose making? (DU301) *

This interdisciplinary perspective on contemporary international studies provides the analytical tools needed to understand global developments in politics, economics, technology and culture.

See full description.

60 Feb 2011
or
Living political ideas (DD306) *

This exciting course considers the ways in which political ideas ‘live’, demonstrating their relevance for understanding contemporary issues in national and world politics.

See full description.

60 Oct 2010

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued courses AA311, D319

* Please note that you can only study one of these courses – DU301 or DD306

The courses listed can count towards this degree after we have stopped presenting them for a maximum of twenty years for Level 1 courses and ten years for Level 2 and 3 courses. Please see course descriptions for future availability.

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Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:

  • Knowledge and understanding
  • Cognitive skills
  • Practical and professional skills
  • Key skills

Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.

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Credit for previous study elsewhere

If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of courses so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.

Credit transfer details for this qualification:

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Classification of your degree

On successful completion of the required number and type of courses you will be awarded a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Politics philosophy and economics degree. Your honours degree will be classified either as first-class honours, upper second-class honours, lower second-class honours or third-class honours. The class of degree is determined by the best grades you achieve in 240 points from those courses above Level 1 listed above. At least 120 of those points must come from courses at Level 3. You will have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.

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Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Award Regulations and the Student Regulations.

Award Regulations

Student Regulations

The Student Regulations (including the Code of Practice for Student Assessment and the Code of Practice for Student Discipline) are available on our Policy Documents for Students website.

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How to register

To register for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the course you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that course.

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About this page

An undergraduate qualification in Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences.

Study explained

Credit points
- show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit point represents roughly 10 hours of study.
Level
- indicates how difficult a course is. Undergraduate study starts at Level 1.
Financial support
- find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
Study explained
- all you need to know about studying with the OU.

Got a question?

Contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service
Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90

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