Politics, Philosophy and Law BA

at University of Warwick

Core modules

In your first year, you will take core introductory modules with each discipline plus a core interdisciplinary module in PPL.

In your second year, you will take an optional core module in each discipline from a list in each department, including choices such as Theories of International Relations, Ethics and Applied Ethics, and International Law. The remaining 25% of modules can be drawn from any of the three departments, enabling you to focus up to 50% of your modules in one discipline in the second year. Alternatively, you may take optional modules from other departments across the University.

In your final year, you can choose to discontinue one subject, and study 75% of your modules from at least two of the disciplines, including the option to research and write an interdisciplinary PPL dissertation or a dissertation in one subject. The remaining 25% can be chosen from any of the disciplines, or you may take these optional modules from other departments across the University.

Year One
Introduction to PPL
This module provides you with an understanding of key concepts, theories, problems and methods in moral, political and legal thinking and how the three interact. You will explore the topics at the intersection of the disciplines, considering both academic and real-life issues. You will build on the legal, philosophical and political science skills learned in your other modules, broadening your studies and building a foundation upon which to make connections in future year. The module shows how the study of politics, philosophy and law intersect and will encourage you to think about what it means to be a PPL student.

 

Introduction to Politics
Introduction to Politics gives you a broad overview of the main issues and theoretical perspectives within Politics. You'll learn first to understand and then apply the core concepts of comparative political science and theory to processes, institutions, ideologies and practical policy-making. You'll conduct a comparative study of different political systems and political change, both in writing and in open debate.

 

Introduction to Philosophy (without logic)
You'll have a wide-ranging introduction to philosophy, including ancient, continental, moral and political philosophy, followed by epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of mind and aesthetics, and logic. You'll learn to engage critically with different viewpoints and critically analyse and evaluate arguments central to philosophy.

 

Criminal Law
You will develop an understanding of the general principles of criminal law and its operation within society, coupled with an awareness of the social and political forces that influence the scope of the law and its enforcement. You will encounter basic concepts of the structure of English Criminal Law, and some knowledge of procedures, theories, and historical and political contexts, so as to understand and debate legal arguments and policy. In your studies, you will be expected to assess and present arguments for and against in open debate and also work collaboratively with your peers on specific tasks.

 

or

Tort Law
You will examine the law of civil liability for wrongfully inflicted damage or injury: the law of tort. We emphasise the processes and techniques involved in judicial (as opposed to legislative or administrative) law-making; the relevance and responsiveness of doctrines thus developed to society’s actual problems; and the policies and philosophies underlying the rules. As well as acquiring knowledge of the application of these technical areas of law, you will develop skills of legal reasoning and critical judgement, with particular reference to insurance, loss spreading, developing medical knowledge, professional standards and consumer protection. Work is undertaken independently and in debate and collaboration with your peers.

 

Year Two

Optional cores (at least one full-year module from each department):

Politics and International Studies

• Political Theory from Hobbes: Seeking Freedom and Equality
• Theories of International Relations
• Core Issues in Comparative Politics
• International Security
• States and Markets: An Introduction to International Political Economy

Philosophy

• Ethics
• Applied Ethics
• History of Modern Philosophy

Law

• International Law
• Law, State and the Individual
• Gender and the Law
• Tort Law or Criminal Law (the option not taken in Year 1)

You may choose optional modules either from within the PPL departments or from departments across the University.

Final Year
In your final year you can choose to research and write a dissertation in either PPL or any one of the three disciplines.

Optional modules
Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:

• Philosophy of Terrorism and Counterterrorism
• Issues in Political Theory
• Politics of Globalisation
• War in the 21st Century
• Comparative Human Rights
• Legal Issues of Brexit
• Medicine and the Law
• Philosophy of Religion
• Public Policy for 21st Century Challenges
• Law and the International Business Environment
• History of the Philosophy of Law
• Philosophy of Evil
• Democracy and Authority
   

All applicants, regardless of their visa requirements, are required to show that their ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English is sufficiently high for them to derive full benefit from their degree course. The level of competence required depends on what type of degree you wish to study. Many applicants can demonstrate this through a satisfactory level of achievement in, for example, GCSE English Language or the English courses within the International Baccalaureate.

Applicants whose academic qualifications meet the University’s admissions requirements, but whose English language qualifications are not accepted as equivalent, may be offered a place at Warwick conditional on an acceptable English language qualification being achieved before they join the University. A number of English language tests are accepted; some of the most frequently offered ones are detailed below.

Please note that certain English tests (including IELTS and PTE) must be taken within two years and one month prior to the start of your course at Warwick. Applicants whose tests fall outside this timescale will need to retake a suitable English language test.

Applicants who require a visa to study in the UK may, depending on the circumstances, be asked to provide evidence of a secure English language test (e.g. IELTS for UKVI (Academic)), rather than an examination (such as International Baccalaureate English) due to the visa requirements set by the UK government.

If you are an overseas or EU student enrolling in 2022, your annual tuition fees will be as follows:

• Band 1 – £22,280 per year (classroom-based courses, including Humanities and most Social Science courses)
• Band 2 – £28,410 per year (laboratory-based courses, plus Theatre and Performance Studies, Economics, and courses provided by Warwick Business School, with exceptions)

Fees for 2023 entry have not been set. We will publish updated information here as soon as it becomes available, so please check back for updates about 2023 fee rates before you apply.

Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship 2022

We believe there should be no barrier to talent. That's why we are committed to offering a scholarship that makes it easier for gifted, ambitious international learners to pursue their academic interests at one of the UK's most prestigious universities. This new scheme will offer international fee-paying students 250 tuition fee discounts ranging from full fees to awards of £13,000 to £2,000 for the full duration of your Undergraduate degree course.

Our first cohort of PPL students graduated in 2021. They are pursuing diverse careers in areas such as law, marketing, the civil service and finance as well as undertaking further study.

Cross-disciplinary degrees are valued by employers since graduates from these subjects are likely to be able to see challenges from different angles and hence be in a strong position to suggest a range of solutions. They are often able to understand the way in which theoretical considerations may be approached in complex ‘real world’ situations.