Politics, Philosophy and Economics

If you have a strong intellectual curiosity, a concern for social well-being, and a desire to understand and change your world, then our Politics, Philosophy and Economics degree is for you.

Develop your knowledge of political institutions and their history. Learn what it means to reason both rigorously and empathetically. Advance your understanding of how the economy works, in a world of globalised and interdependent markets. And then combine these perspectives, so as to grasp the tight interconnections between the economy, political institutions, and big ideas about justice.

First established at Oxford University in the 1920s, PPE degrees have an impressive record in producing some of the world's leading decision makers and critical thinkers. La Trobe's PPE degree is Australia's most established PPE degree.

By the end of your degree, you will be equipped to assume responsibilities for shaping progress in your society, and ready to tackle real-world challenges, including the impact of power on politics and the economy, the nature of inequality and its real-world effects, the concentration of wealth and opportunity, and the connections between economic growth, technological change, and a sustainable environment.

You will also have the flexibility to tailor your degree to your interests, as well as an opportunity to undertake an internship.

Structure of PPE

To major in PPE, you must complete the following:

• five subjects in politics
• five subjects in philosophy
• five subjects in economics
• five elective subjects in any discipline, study abroad program or language.

Career opportunities

With human-centred skills, critical thinking abilities, and a nuanced understanding of economies, previous graduates of our PPE degree now work in Australia and overseas, across the public, private and non-profit sectors, as:

• policy-makers
• policy analysts
• public servants
• journalists
• political advisors
• writers
• activists
• economists
• project managers
• business-people
• and academics.