PPE graduates from the University of Otago are working in management consulting, social enterprise, policy analysis, banking, research, marketing, data analytics, diplomacy, environmental management, and many other fields.
They apply their mastery of multiple disciplines, real-world insights, and communicative excellence to meeting the most difficult challenges facing corporations, governments, and civil society today.
Postgraduate degrees in PPE include the Bachelor of Arts Honours (BA(Hons)), the Master of Arts (Coursework MA), and the Master of Business (MBus).
Postgraduate certificate and diploma options are available too.
See all PPE undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications.
- Students with a BA in PPE or the equivalent and at least a B+ average in their 300-level papers can apply to pursue and honours degree.
- Postgraduate degrees in PPE include coursework in at least two of the three disciplines. Students planning on taking 400-level papers in Economics should complete the necessary prerequisites at undergraduate level.
See a list of the prerequisite papers for 400-level Economics. (DOCX)
For more information contact the programme director:
Email ppe@otago.ac.nz
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in PPE
The Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in PPE combines 400-level course work with independent research; the degree is normally completed over two semesters of full-time work.
Find out more about the Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics
| Papers |
|---|
| One of: |
| Three further 400-level ECON, PHIL, POLS or 500-level ECON, PHIL, POLS papers |
| No more than 100 points may be from any one of the component disciplines. CLAS 440 may be substituted for one 400-level PHIL paper. |
Master of Arts (Coursework) in PPE
The Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA (Coursework)) is designed to give students the balance of specific subject knowledge plus broad-based skills employers are looking for. It combines 400-level and 500-level course work with independent research; the degree is normally completed over 12 months or three semesters of full-time work. Students completing the MA Coursework in PPE often replace one of the required 30-point HUMS papers with a 30-point POLS paper from the Master of Politics offerings.
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics
| Dissertation / Studio Project Requirements |
|---|
| One of: |
| ECON 590 Research Dissertation |
| PHIL 590 Research Dissertation |
| POLS 590 Research Dissertation |
| Two of: |
| HUMS 501 Writing and Revision for Graduate Research |
| HUMS 502 Research Methods in the Humanities |
| HUMS 503 Key Debates in the Humanities |
| And: |
| 400- or 500-level papers in ECON, PHIL or POLS worth 60 points |
| No more than 90 points may be from any one of the component disciplines. |
| Papers-Only Requirements |
| At least two of: |
| HUMS 501 Writing and Revision for Graduate Research |
| HUMS 502 Research Methods in the Humanities |
| HUMS 503 Key Debates in the Humanities |
| And further: |
| 400- or 500-level papers in ECON, PHIL or POLS worth 120 points |
| No more than 90 points may be from any one of the component disciplines. |
| Note: Students are able to take one of HUMS 501-503 not already taken as an optional paper in this pathway. |
Master of Business in PPE
The Master of Business (MBus) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics offers students opportunities to complete advanced interdisciplinary work while providing a comprehensive grounding in business principles, research skills, and methods. Employers understand that MBus in PPE graduates combine quantitative and qualitative research abilities with strong analytical and communication skills. Our students translate their intellectual curiosity and scholarly drive into practical contributions to solving the world’s problems.
Master of Business (MBus) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics
The Master of Business in Philosophy, Politics and Economics will be awarded on successful completion of 180 points from one of the three options (Dissertation, Project or Coursework) outlined in the schedule below.
| Option | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | Compulsory papers: | |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century | 10 | |
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1 | 10 | |
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2 | 20 | |
| BSNS 590 Dissertation | 60 | |
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 80 points from: | 80 | |
| 400-level ECON, PHIL, or POLS papers or 500-level ECON, PHIL, or POLS papers*, including at least one paper from two of the three disciplines | ||
| Total | 180 | |
| Project | Compulsory papers: | |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century | 10 | |
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1 | 10 | |
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2 | 20 | |
| BSNS 580 Applied Project | 40 | |
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 100 points from: | 100 | |
| 400-level ECON, PHIL, or POLS papers or 500-level ECON, PHIL, or POLS papers*, including at least one paper from two of the three disciplines | ||
| Total | 180 | |
| Coursework | Compulsory papers: | |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century | 10 | |
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1 | 10 | |
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2 | 20 | |
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 140 points from: | 140 | |
| 400-level ECON, PHIL, or POLS papers or 500-level ECON, PHIL, or POLS papers*, including at least one paper from two of the three disciplines | ||
| Total | 180 | |
| * Some papers are limited to students in particular programmes |