BA (Honours) Politics, Philosophy and Economics
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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.
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.
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.
Courses
For this 360-point honours degree you require:
60 points from the following optional courses:
| Level 1 optional courses | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
60 | Oct 2010 |
| or | ||
|
30 | May 2010 |
|
30 | Nov 2010 |
| or | ||
|
30 | May 2010 |
|
30 | May 2010 |
| or | ||
|
30 | May 2010 |
|
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
60 | Feb 2011 |
|
60 | Feb 2011 FINAL |
|
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
60 | Jan 2011 |
|
60 | Jan 2011 |
|
60 | Feb 2011 |
| or | ||
|
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.
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.
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:
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.
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
- Introduction to the Award Regulations
- General Award Regulations
- BA (Honours) Politics, Philosophy and Economics
- Schedule A to the 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.
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.
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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