BSc Politics and Philosophy

at London School of Economics

The degree involves studying courses to the value of 12 units over three years, plus LSE100. 

First year 
In the first year you will take two compulsory philosophy courses, two compulsory politics courses, and will take LSE100.

(* denotes a half unit course)

Introduction to Logic*
Introduces the basic system of modern formal logic, including propositional logic, predicate logic and the theory of identity.

And one of the two below options:

Intermediate Logic*

Historical and Global Perspectives*

The Big Questions: An Introduction to Philosophy
Provides an introduction to analytical philosophy by using classic and contemporary texts to study a selection of philosophical problems.

Introduction to Political Theory
Examines the foundations of Western political thought, followed by modern political theory.

Introduction to Political Science
Examines the comparative analysis of a range of political phenomena, including the forms of states and regimes, theories of elections and voting, political ideologies, the causes and consequences of democracy, and the management of the economy.

LSE100*
A half unit, running across Michaelmas and Lent Term in the first year, LSE100 is compulsory for all LSE undergraduate students, and is designed to build your capacity to tackle multidimensional problems through research-rich education.

Second year            
In the second year you will choose between a range of philosophy and government optons, depending on your previous course selection./

One government option 

Either

Philosophy, Morals and Politics
Concerned with the ethics of harming and saving from harm, as well as moral philosophy and the topic of justice.

Or

Contemporary Political Theory
Provides an advanced introduction to contemporary political theory.

Either

• Philosophy of the Social Sciences
• Deals with philosophical issues concerning the nature of social scientific theory and its applications.

Or

Philosophy of Science
Explores the different traditions in the philosophy of science.

Either

Philosophy of the Social Sciences
Deals with philosophical issues concerning the nature of social scientific theory and its applications.

Or

Philosophy of Science
Explores the different traditions in the philosophy of science.

Or

Scientific Revolutions: Philosophical and Historical Issues
Examines a number of fundamental issues in philosophy of science, as they arise from instances of important theory-changes (so-called revolutions) in the history of science.

Or

Scientific Method and Policy
Looks at evidence, the relationship between scientific and policy aims and the role of the scientist as policy adviser.

Or

Another government option

Or

Another philosophy option

Third year 
In the third year, you will have the opportunity to take more advanced courses in both political science and philosophy. You will have the choice of completing a dissertation in philosophy, or in government, and can take outside options. 

Philosophy and Public Policy
Offers critical reflection on the design and evaluation of public policies from the perspective of moral and political philosophy.

Government options to the value of one unit

Either

One government option

Or

One philosophy option

Or

One approved outside option
 

Either

One government option

Or

One philosophy option

Or

Government Dissertation

Or

Dissertation in Philosophy

Or

One approved outside option

Below we list our entry requirements in terms of GCSEs, A-Levels (the entry requirements should be read alongside our A-level subject combinations information) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. We accept a wide range of other qualifications from the UK and from overseas.
 

GCSEs
 

• A strong set of GCSE grades including the majority at A (or 7) and A* (or 8-9)
• GCSE English Language and Mathematics grades should be no lower than B (or 6)
• We also consider your overall GCSE subject profile

A-levels*

AAA
We also consider your AS grades, if available.
 

Contextual admissions A-level grades**
AAB

IB Diploma
38 points overall, including 766 at higher level 

Contextual admissions IB grades**
37 points overall, including 765 at higher level 

Every undergraduate student is charged a fee for each year of their programme.
The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees

Home students:
The 2023 tuition fee for new Home students has not yet been set. As a guide the 2022 fee for Home students is £9,250 per year. The Home student undergraduate fee may rise in line with inflation in subsequent years.

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of Government

Median salary of our UG students six months after graduating: £29,000

Top 5 sectors our students work in:
 

• Accounting and Auditing
• Education, Teaching and Research
• Government, Public Sector and Policy
• Information, Digital Technology and Data
• FMCG, Manufacturing and Retail

The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2018-19 were the second group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and who were working in full-time employment.

Politics graduates have a range of skills and can fit into a variety of positions in modern life. Our former students have followed careers in business and banking, in law, in central and local government, in teaching and research, in public and university administration, and in journalism and television.