Undergraduate

Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

All important social issues have philosophical, political and economic dimensions.

90
Minimum ATAR
Globe
Global Career Flexibility
3
Years Full-Time

Majors available

Philosophy, Politics and Economics - Extended Major

The Philosophy, Politics and Economics equips students to engage with important social and political issues from a uniquely interdisciplinary perspective. This degree-specific major can only be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:

Course structure details

The learning experience

UWA facilities include lecture theatres, case study rooms and break-out areas for group work and individual study.

UWA Schools

Six libraries

One of Australia’s most picturesque campuses

Five residential colleges

Vibrant student experience

Fees and scholarships

Domestic Student Fees

Indicative annual course fee
2025
Commonwealth Supported Place $10,248.76

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

International Student Fees

Indicative first year fee
2024
$38,100.00
2025
$40,200.00

Find out more about tuition fees or visit the fee calculator for the estimated total course fee.

Note, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are subject to increase up to 7.5 per cent per annum.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Careers and further study

Career Opportunities

Your interdisciplinary expertise will make you stand out to a wide range of employers across various industries and government sectors. With skills in philosophy, politics, and economics, you'll be well-prepared to pursue diverse career opportunities.

Potential career opportunities include:

  • Diplomat
  • Economic/Political Journalist
  • Policy Analyst

Further Study

You may be interested in exploring our range of Master's or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs in areas like economics, philosophy, politics, public policy, or education. The Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics is also ideal preparation for those continuing onto study our Juris Doctor.  

Entry requirements

Admission requirements

To be considered for this course you need to: 

  • achieve the University’s minimum entry score
  • demonstrate English language competence
  • satisfy any prerequisites for your preferred majors (refer to individual major descriptions for prerequisite details)

You can view the prerequisites and recommended subjects for your chosen course here.

View our admission requirements for specific information, depending on your education history.

Assured Pathway information

If you have a professional career in mind, take advantage of one of our Assured Pathways. An Assured Pathway gives you an assured place in one of our postgraduate professional courses (such as Law, Engineering or Medicine) from the start of your studies with us. The pathways combine a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, providing you with a clearer direction to your career of choice.

Admission entry to UWA 

We offer a number of other pathways for you to gain entry into our undergraduate degrees if you do not meet the standard admission requirements. Learn more about our admission entry pathways.

About the Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

All important social issues — climate change, health care, inequality, political participation, criminal justice and much more — have philosophical, political and economic dimensions. Our Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics is a challenging and rigorous course of study that equips you with the skills to engage with these issues from a uniquely interdisciplinary perspective.

You'll gain a solid foundation in all three disciplines, exploring how each one can enhance your understanding of the others. You'll also learn about the shared history of philosophy, politics, and economics, while building the critical thinking and analytical skills essential for success in the workplace.

Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Quick details

Minimum ATAR
  • 90
Intake
  • Semester 1 and Semester 2
Full time completion
  • 3 years
Course Code
  • BH015
CRICOS CODE
  • 102865B

Why study Philosophy, Politics and Economics at UWA

  • Learn from leading experts, especially academics whose research spans the three disciplines
  • You'll complete specially designed interdisciplinary units that equip you to apply the tools of all three disciplines to address pressing social, political, and economic questions

Put theory into practice

Current UWA students are eligible to take one of our professional experience units. These units bridge the gap between university and the workplace by providing opportunities to gain hands-on, practical experience. You can master new skills, make connections and network, get a taste of the opportunities in the workforce and add experience to your resume, all before graduating.

Find out more about Work Integrated Learning.

Study Abroad

Taking you global

Taking you global text

Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Extended Major)

Two people sitting and talking

Open only to students undertaking the Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics and the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours), this extended major will equip students to engage with important social issues from a uniquely interdisciplinary perspective.

Course structure details

Hear about our degree 

Students talking during a conference

You'll learn to

  • address problems that political, philosophical, and economic dimensions (e.g. inequality, criminal justice, climate change), learning to think about complex social issues in an interdisciplinary manner
  • explore how insights from each of the three disciplines bear upon issues in the others
  • utilise invaluable critical-thinking and analytical skills, and apply them in a variety of contexts 

Industry connected

Students standing beside Woodside sign

Our Business School courses are influenced by the Business School Board, a group of industry leaders who ensure content remains current and students are prepared for their chosen career when entering the workforce as well as giving a key insight into what employers are looking for when hiring graduates.

Strong industry contacts will give you the added advantage of growing quality networks to draw on when you graduate. We have 30+ corporate supporters, who have included ATCO, Bankwest, BDO, BHP, Ernst & Young, KPMG, Macquarie Group, Mitsubishi, UniBank, Woodside and more.

Meet a Philosopher

Lachlan Umbers

Dr Lachlan Umbers is a philosopher working at the intersection of political science and political theory at The University of Western Australia.

His work engages with a wide array of issues, from the design of electoral institutions, to the climate duties of sub-national governments, corporations, and individuals. Lachlan's current research interests include compulsory voting, the regulation of political speech by civil society groups, the ethics of combatting vaccine hesitancy, and the role of labour unions in protecting employees’ interests in the workplace.