Career opportunities
Graduates with a PPE degree go on to apply their analytical skills in many different fields: recent graduates are working as diplomats, journalists, lawyers, project managers, academics, business executives, entrepreneurs, accountants, and policy analysts.
There are PPE graduates in entertainment, in tourism, and in information technology; those in government work at the Supreme Court and at the Ministries for the Environment, Treasury, Social Development, and Inland Revenue, among others.
You can find people with Otago PPE degrees in government, industry, academia, and civil society in New Zealand, North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Otago
The PPE programme was founded in 1999 as the first and only such course of study in New Zealand, and one of only a few in Australasia. From the beginning,
Students begin in first year with introductory papers in economics, politics, and philosophy, but quickly progress to advanced work in small interdisciplinary seminars. Usually in the second year or the first term of third year, students may participate in student exchange.
The humanities internship practicum, in which students go out into the community to provide research services, is available for second and third year students. Third year students may pursue supervised independent research on a topic of their choosing by taking the PHPE 301 paper.
Degree options
You can pursue a number of different qualification options to study PPE . The PPE major is compatible with double degrees in other subjects such as Law or Computer Science. PPE students can complete double majors and add minor subjects as listed in the Guide to Enrolment. High achieving students may apply for postgraduate study, which consists of small seminars in each of the core disciplines plus completion of a dissertation.
Student exchange
We encourage PPE majors to participate in student exchange, and many do so. There are twelve universities that offer PPE programmes for exchange with students from Otago, as well as dozens more without formal PPE programmes that offer appropriate course work. You can participate in student exchange while moving forward with your degree and paying domestic fees.
Recommended background
No special background is required to begin a PPE major.
However, a student who has achieved mainly Excellences and Merits in each of the three subjects Economics, English and Mathematics with Calculus or Mathematics with Statistics at NCEA Level 3 may apply to the Department of Economics to enter the second required paper (ECON 112) without completing the first (BSNS 113).
Choose a study option
Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Undergraduate qualifications
For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
A three-year degree offering flexibility to explore a major in Arts along with other subjects
Bachelor of Commerce (BCom)
A three-year degree offering flexibility to explore a major in Commerce along with other subjects
Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom)
Combine two majors, one in Arts and one in Commerce, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
Combine two majors, one in Arts and one in Science, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc)
Combine two majors, one in Commerce and one in Science, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr)
A three-year degree that equips you to change the world as you create new products, services and ideas
Ready to apply?
Take the first step towards your future in this subject.
Further study opportunities
Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.
Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
The Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad), requiring study of at least seven papers (at least four of which are at 300-level o...
Postgraduate Study in Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Explore postgraduate study in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Otago. Gain advanced knowledge, skills, and research...
Related subject areas
Explore all subject areasBusiness, accounting and finance
Study business and prepare yourself for a career in the fast-paced corporate world – or even launch your own start-up
Government, politics and law
Gain skills and knowledge for decision-making, social issues, politics, and laws that impact Aotearoa and the world
History, philosophy, people and society
Understand the world by thinking deeply about people, cultures, and society – past, present, and future
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject as a major and minor (where available).
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | BSNS 113 Economic Principles and Policy | 18 |
| ECON 112 Principles of Macroeconomics | 18 | |
| One 100-level PHIL paper (PHIL 103 Ethical Issues, recommended) | 18 | |
| One 100-level POLS paper (POLS 102 New Zealand Politics - Introduction, recommended) | 18 | |
| 200-level | PHPE 201 Political Economy 1: Method, Philosophy, Applications | 18 |
| ECON 201 Microeconomics or ECON 271 Intermediate Microeconomic Theory | 18 | |
| One further 200-level ECON paper | 18 | |
| One 200-level PHIL paper | 18 | |
| One 200-level POLS paper | 18 | |
| one further 200-level ECON, PHIL or POLS papers | 18 | |
| 300-level | Six 300-level ECON, PHIL, PHPE, or POLS papers, including at least one paper in each of Economics, Philosophy, and Politics. | 108 |
| CLAS 340 may be substituted for one 300-level PHIL paper, and CLAS 346 may be substituted for one 300-level POLS paper. | ||
| Plus | 72 further points which may be taken from outside Arts | 72 |
| Total | 360 |
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | BSNS 113 Economic Principles and Policy | 18 |
| ECON 112 Principles of Macroeconomics | 18 | |
| PHIL 105 Critical Thinking | 18 | |
| One 100-level POLS paper (POLS 102 New Zealand Politics - Introduction, recommended) | 18 | |
| BSNS 111 Business and Society, BSNS 112 Interpreting Business Data, BSNS 114 Financial Decision Making, BSNS 115 Accounting and Information Systems – must normally be taken in first year of study. | 72 | |
| 200-level | PHPE 201 Political Economy 1: Method, Philosophy, Applications | 18 |
| ECON 201 Microeconomics or ECON 271 Intermediate Microeconomic Theory | 18 | |
| One further 200-level ECON paper | 18 | |
| One 200-level PHIL paper | 18 | |
| One 200-level POLS paper | 18 | |
| One further 200-level ECON, PHIL or POLS papers | 18 | |
| 300-level | MANT 331 Business Ethics | 18 |
| Five 300-level ECON, PHIL, PHPE, or POLS papers, including at least two papers in Economics and at least one paper in each of Philosophy and Politics. | 90 | |
| CLAS 340 may be substituted for one 300-level PHIL paper. | ||
| Every programme must include BSNS 111-115. At least three of these papers must be passed before enrolling in any 200-level Commerce paper, and all must normally be passed before enrolling in any 300-level Commerce paper. For single-degree BCom students, all five must be attempted in the first year of study or equivalent. | ||
| STAT 110 or STAT 115 will be accepted as an alternative to BSNS 112 as a required paper or as part of the major subject requirements or as a prerequisite when: (a) the paper has been passed before the student has enrolled for a BCom degree; or (b) a student is enrolling for both a BCom and another degree for which STAT 110 or STAT 115 is required. Any student who completed PTWY 111 before enrolling in the BCom degree shall be exempt from the requirement to complete BSNS 113. Any student who has completed PTWY 112 before enrolling in the BCom degree shall be exempt from the requirement to complete BSNS 114. A candidate completing the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws is able to satisfy the CPA/CAANZ accreditation requirements by substituting:a) LAWS 202, LAWS 203, LAWS 204, LAWS 301 and LAWS 407 in place of BLAW 211 and BLAW 212 b) LAWS 416 in place of ACTP 312. | ||
| Total | 360 |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
PHPE papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHPE201 | 2025 | Political Economy I: Method, Philosophy, Applications | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHPE301 | 2025 | Research Essay | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
ECON papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECON112 | 2025 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON201 | 2025 | Microeconomics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON202 | 2025 | Macroeconomics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON206 | 2025 | The World Economy | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON207 | 2025 | Environmental Economics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON210 | 2025 | Introduction to Econometrics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON271 | 2025 | Intermediate Microeconomic Theory | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON301 | 2025 | Labour Economics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON302 | 2025 | International Trade | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON303 | 2025 | Economics of Developing Countries | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON306 | 2025 | Economics of Health and Education | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON308 | 2025 | Public Economics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON316 | 2025 | Open Economy Macroeconomics | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| ECON317 | 2025 | Urban and Regional Economics | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| ECON318 | 2025 | Behavioural Economics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON319 | 2025 | Game Theory | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| ECON350 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| ECON351 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| ECON371 | 2025 | Microeconomic Theory | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| ECON375 | 2025 | Econometrics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON376 | 2025 | Macroeconomic Theory | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| ECON377 | 2025 | Mathematical Economics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON410 | 2025 | Advanced Microeconomic Theory | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON411 | 2025 | Advanced Macroeconomic Theory | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON412 | 2025 | Macroeconometrics | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON413 | 2025 | Microeconometrics | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON480 | 2025 | Dissertation | 40 points | Full Year |
| ECON485 | 2025 | Master's Thesis Preparation | 20 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year |
| ECON492 | 2025 | Dissertation for Philosophy, Politics and Economics | 60 points | Full Year |
| ECON502 | 2025 | Growth, Institutions and Development | 20 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| ECON503 | 2025 | Monetary Economics | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON505 | 2025 | The Economics of Natural Resources and Public Choice | 20 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| ECON506 | 2025 | Labour and Population Economics | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON507 | 2025 | Topics in Advanced Economics | 20 points | Semester 2 |
POLS papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POLS102 | 2025 | Aotearoa New Zealand Politics – Introduction | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS104 | 2025 | International Relations - Introduction | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS105 | 2025 | Comparative Politics - Introduction | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS110 | 2025 | Political Ideas in Action | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS202 | 2025 | Theories of Justice | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS208 | 2025 | Democracy | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| POLS210 | 2025 | Politics of the Middle East | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS213 | 2025 | New Zealand Foreign Policy | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS216 | 2025 | Politics of the European Union | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| POLS218 | 2025 | Interventions, Peacekeeping and the Global South | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| POLS224 | 2025 | Current Issues in Environmental Politics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS228 | 2025 | Contemporary Issues in Global Politics | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| POLS230 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| POLS237 | 2025 | New Zealand Government and Constitution | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS244 | 2025 | Political Theory: Basic Problems | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS250 | 2025 | International Security | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS303 | 2025 | New Zealand's Political Economy | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| POLS306 | 2025 | Politics and the Media in New Zealand | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| POLS307 | 2025 | Nature, Conflict, and the State | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS308 | 2025 | United States Foreign Policy since 1945 | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| POLS315 | 2025 | Nationalism and Identity | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS318 | 2025 | Chinese Foreign Policy | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS319 | 2025 | Te Tiriti/Treaty Politics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS321 | 2025 | Public Policy in New Zealand | 18 points | Summer School |
| POLS323 | 2025 | Marxism: Classical and Contemporary | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS324 | 2025 | Current Issues in Environmental Politics (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS325 | 2025 | International Relations: Concepts and Theories | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS326 | 2025 | Politics of the Arabian Peninsula | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS330 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| POLS337 | 2025 | New Zealand Government and Constitution | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS375 | 2025 | Human Rights - From the Cradle to the Grave | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| POLS390 | 2025 | Research Project | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS413 | 2025 | Political Theory for the Environment | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS475 | 2025 | The Ethics and Politics of Resistance | 20 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| POLS490 | 2025 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year |
| POLS501 | 2025 | The 'Political': Theory and Practice | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS512 | 2025 | The Ethics and Politics of Resistance | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| POLS513 | 2025 | Political Theory for the Environment | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS520 | 2025 | New Zealand Government and Politics | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS521 | 2025 | Politics and Society | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| POLS540 | 2025 | International Relations Theory | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS541 | 2025 | International Relations and the Global South | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS550 | 2025 | Comparative Regional Conflicts | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS590 | 2025 | Research Dissertation | 60 points | 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 20 February 2026) |
PHIL papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHIL101 | 2025 | Mind and Reality | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL103 | 2025 | Ethical Issues | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL105 | 2025 | Critical Thinking | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL106 | 2025 | Radical Philosophy | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL206 | 2025 | Revolutionary Philosophy | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHIL222 | 2025 | Introduction to Formal Logic | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL223 | 2025 | Metaphysical Questions | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| PHIL225 | 2025 | Philosophy of Science | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL227 | 2025 | Morality and Politics: Hobbes to Hume | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| PHIL228 | 2025 | Ethics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL229 | 2025 | Reason, Belief and the Sacred | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL231 | 2025 | Early Modern Philosophy A: Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| PHIL232 | 2025 | Early Modern Philosophy B: Locke, Berkeley, Hume | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL233 | 2025 | Philosophy of Mind and Language | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL234 | 2025 | Are there moral facts? | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL235 | 2025 | Environmental Philosophy | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL236 | 2025 | An Introduction to the Philosophy of Language | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHIL240 | 2025 | Epistemology: The Theory of Knowledge | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL306 | 2025 | Revolutionary Philosophy (Advanced) | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHIL312 | 2025 | Advanced Formal Logic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| PHIL315 | 2025 | Are There Moral Facts? | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL323 | 2025 | Metaphysical Questions | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| PHIL325 | 2025 | Philosophy of Science (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL327 | 2025 | Morals and Politics: Hobbes to Hume (Advanced) | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHIL329 | 2025 | Reason, Belief and the Sacred | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL331 | 2025 | Early Modern Philosophy A: Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| PHIL332 | 2025 | Early Modern Philosophy B: Locke, Berkeley, Hume | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL333 | 2025 | Philosophy of Mind and Language | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL335 | 2025 | Why Be Moral? | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL336 | 2025 | An Introduction to the Philosophy of Language (Advanced) | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHIL338 | 2025 | Ethical Theory | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL340 | 2025 | Epistemology: The Theory of Knowledge (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL401 | 2025 | Advanced History of Philosophy | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHIL406 | 2025 | Why Be Moral? | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHIL413 | 2025 | Ethical Theory | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHIL414 | 2025 | No-Ought-From-Is and the Slavery of Reason | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHIL415 | 2025 | Meaning and Metaphysics | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHIL417 | 2025 | Advanced Issues in Foundational Philosophy | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL418 | 2025 | Advanced Problems in Applied Philosophy | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL451 | 2025 | Special Topic | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHIL458 | 2025 | Special Topic | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHIL480 | 2025 | Research Essay | 30 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| PHIL490 | 2025 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 12 June 2026) |
| PHIL590 | 2025 | Research Dissertation | 60 points | 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 20 February 2026), 2nd Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 3 July 2026) |
More information
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