Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

For big picture intellects

Understanding social complexities requires looking through more than one lens.

Students of philosophy, politics and economics are deeply acquainted with social and political institutions. They reason rigorously and reflect on moral and ethical values. They understand how resources must be managed and that economics influences everything.

What will you do?

Our Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics has a structure unique in South Australia, and highly regarded internationally. You will:

  • learn broadly across all three areas before focusing on your chosen discipline
  • analyse complex political and economic scenarios
  • critically debate morality, freedom and social justice
  • understand and develop responses to pressing real-world problems
  • benefit from contact and mentoring with experts and researchers
  • gain practical insights from guest speakers within political and business communities
  • career plan from early on and undertake an internship aligned with your goals.

Where could it take you?

You’ll graduate career-ready and prepared to problem-solve at all levels of intricacy. You could advise on policy, write it or run for government yourself. You might move into research or media commentary. Perhaps you’ll assist global businesses with decision making as a consultant, or lead them to success as a CEO.



Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
This degree gives you the opportunity to be part of our new The Academy by Deloitte. You’ll be part of a supportive student cohort that learns from one another and industry leaders. Formal and informal experiences will allow you to build relationships within the Deloitte network.


  • Jumpstart your career with public sector employability set to increase in the next 5 years^
  • Study at SA's only to offer degree in Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics
  • Learn from internationally renowned scholars from multiple disciplines

^Australian Government Labor Market 2020 employment projections

Entry Requirements

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Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.

Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.

Domestic applicants

Admissions information

SATAC Code 334691
2023 CSP ATAR 67.1
2023 CSP IB 24.25
Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR 70
Guaranteed Entry Score - IB 25.5
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake February and July
Selection Criteria
Recent Secondary Education Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors). Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Higher Education Study You must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the University of Adelaide, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units). A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) study You must have completed an AQF Certificate IV or above from a Registered Training Organisation. Your application will be ranked according to the level of the award. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Work and life experience To be eligible to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as as pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2024. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2024 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2023 or 2022), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2022). If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Other Entry Pathways

2023 Admissions Data for school leavers
ATAR
(raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors)
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer 61.85
Median ATAR to receive an offer 80.25
Highest ATAR to receive an offer 98.8
Selection Rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors)
Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer 67.1
Median Selection Rank to receive an offer 83.1
Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer 99.95
Minimum eligibility score 65
Additional criteria considered Selection rank only
  • Admissions Transparency Data
    Student Profile
    Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2023
    Number of students Percentage of all students
    (A) Higher Education study
    (includes a bridging or enabling course)
    8 53.3%
    (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study N/A N/A
    (C) Work and life experience
    (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)
    <5 N/A
    (D) Recent secondary education:
    • Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
      (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors)
    5 33.3%
    • Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
      (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
    N/A N/A
    • Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
      (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
    N/A N/A
    International students <5 N/A
    All students 15 100.0%

Ready to Apply?

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Fees and Scholarships

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Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Commonwealth-supported place: $13,830

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

More information on Student Contribution Amounts.

Scholarships

These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.

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Careers

Career Readiness

Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
Students who as part of their studies take part in The Academy by Deloitte experience will have the benefit of undertaking a paid internship with Deloitte. This internship is designed to shape their business readiness through significant real-world client exposure, access to multiple networking opportunities and relevant professional training.


Graduates of the Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics are uniquely prepared to take the lead in tackling some of the toughest problems facing us today. They are equipped with deep disciplinary knowledge that enables them to model policy, business, and social challenges, to analyse their ethical dimensions, and to formulate practical and achievable solutions. Our graduates have great versatility in shaping their careers, choosing to pursue stimulating and successful careers in the public service, private sector, NGOs and the not-for-profit sector, or in academia.

A background in Philosophy, Politics and Economics is a suitable preparation for work in many different areas such as: advertising, administration, banking and finance, business, community engagement, defence, diplomatic service, environmental management and planning, foreign affairs, humanitarian work, human resources, industry liaison, management, policy development, politics, project management, public relations, publishing, research, social planning, youth work, academia and teaching.

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Industry Placement

The Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics provides students with opportunities to develop practical workplace readiness throughout the course of their degree. The core seminars involve topic-based work on real world issues, with the involvement of practitioners from business and government.

The program requires the completion of an internship, giving students the opportunity to use knowledge from their university study in a practical work environment, build valuable networks and gain experience that counts towards their degree and also prepares them for their future careers.

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Member of Parliament;  Banker;  Business Data Analyst;  Commodities or Futures Trader;  Parliamentary Adviser;  Parliamentary Member;  Data Analyst;  Policy Adviser;  Political Adviser;  Politician ...

Degree Structure

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Example Study Plan

 Indicative Sample Study Plan (DRAFT)
Year 1
S 1 PHIL 1101 Argument and Critical Thinking (Semester 1) OR
PHIL 1110 Introduction to Logic (Semester 2) OR

PHIL 1110OL Introduction to Logic (summer)
PPE closed elective

POLIS level I
ECON 1012

Principles of Economics I
ECON 1005 Introduction to Mathematical Economics I (Semester 1 or 2) OR

ECON 1010

Mathematical Economic I

(Semester 1 or 2)
S 2 PHIL 1103 Morality, Society and the Individual PPE closed elective

POLIS level I
ECON 1008

Data Analytics I (Semester 1 or 2)
ARTS 1007/OL

The Enquiring Mind

(any semester or term)
Year 2
S1 PPE 2002

Foundations of Public Policy
ECON 2514

Managerial Economics I

(Semester 1 or 2)
PPE closed elective

PHIL level II
PPE closed elective

POLIS level II
S2 POLIS 2106 Justice, Virtue and the Good OR

POLIS 2107 Passions and Interests: the history of greed OR
POLIS 2109 The Ethics of War and Peace
ECON 2507

Intermediate Macroeconomics

(Semester 1 or 2)
PPE closed elective

PHIL level II
Major Area – Level II
Year 3
S1











S2
6 units from the following:

-ARTS 3202 Research-based Internship (6 units)

-POLIS 3111EX South Australian Parliamentary Internship (6 units)

OR

3 units from the following

-ARTS 3100 Community Engagement Learning Project

- ARTS 3201/EX Industry Internship

- PROF 3500/OL Undergraduate Professions Internship

plus

3 units from approved level III courses
Major Area – Level III
















Major Area – Level III

PPE 3002

Collective Action and Public Policy        6 units

























Major Area – Capstone from the following:   

      - PHIL 3033 Key Texts in Philosophy     6 units

      - POLIS 3106 Public Policy Research Project      6 units

      - ECON 3535 Economic Policy Analysis III, plus 3 units ECON level III not already counting towards the major.










Further Study

Testimonial

My degree gave me an opportunity to explore two other fields that are interconnected with philosophy, and has helped me gain a better understanding of philosophy itself.

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Last updated: Tuesday, 10 Oct 2023