Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy, and Economics
Overview
| This page was first published on 13 November 2025 and was last amended on 27 November 2025. View details of the changes below. |
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The Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (BPPE) offers a unique blend of disciplinary depth and interdisciplinary breadth, equipping you with analytical, ethical, communicative, and leadership skills essential for careers in public service, politics, finance, business, consultancy, media, advocacy, academia, and more.
The degree focuses on four disciplines: Politics, Philosophy, Political Economy, and Economics. You will select one as your major and one as your minor, while also taking units of study in the two remaining disciplines. In addition, the BPPE includes three core units of study and a capstone (BPPE3999) which are exclusive to the degree.
This program aims to provide rigorous training across all four disciplines, while fostering crucial career skills. You will develop strong critical thinking and data literacy, learn how to synthesize information and marshal evidence, and become adept at clear speaking and persuasive writing. The degree also emphasizes ethical decision-making, with focused training in moral philosophy.
A key feature of the program is the strong sense of community and cohort experience. You will engage closely with fellow students, working together through shared core units.
Degree structure and requirements
The BPPE requirements are listed under the course resolutions.
Completion of the BPPE requires:
- 3 core units of study as listed in the BPPE unit of study table;
- a 48-credit point major (including BPPE3999) selected from the disciplines of Politics, Philosophy, Political Economy, and Economics;
- a 36-credit point minor selected from the disciplines of Politics, Philosophy, Political Economy, and Economics;
- The minor cannot be in the same area of study as the nominated major
- 24 credit points of selective units of study from the remaining two disciplines as listed in the BPPE unit of study table; and
- any electives required to reach 144 credit points.
BPPE students are exempt from taking OLEs, FASS1000, and FASS3999.
Note that study abroad is only possible during Semester 1 of the second year.
BPPE Majors and Minors
The BPPE requires students to complete one major and one minor. Refer to the relevant subject areas linked below for information on the requirements of these majors and minors.
The available majors and minors are:
BPPE students must complete BPPE3999 for their major in place of FASS3999.
Dalyell stream
The Dalyell stream is a targeted stream for high achievers. Students who participate in the Dalyell stream are known as the ‘Dalyell Scholars’. As Dalyell Scholars, students have access to a range of curricular and extra-curricular activities.
For students enrolled in the Dalyell stream, a minimum of 12 credit points of Dalyell stream units of study as specified in Table D must be completed.
For further details regarding the Dalyell stream, please refer to the Interdisciplinary Studies Handbook.
Electives
Students enrolled in the BPPE can complete elective units of study from the subject areas listed in Table A (Arts and Social Sciences) and Table S (shared pool).
The available units of study are listed in Table A Subject Areas of this handbook and Table S in the Interdisciplinary Studies handbook.
Note, however, that the BPPE leaves very little room for elective units, particularly if students are enrolled in the Dalyell stream.
Honours
Honours is an additional year of full-time undergraduate study following completion of the BPPE. It provides high-achieving students an opportunity to develop research skills in the discipline of their major by undertaking advanced-level coursework and conducting a supervised but independent research project. The honours year adds greater depth to the BPPE and is a pathway to higher degree by research (e.g., PhD) studies.
Further information can be found on the BPPE (Honours) page
Post-publication amendments
Date |
Original publication |
Post-publication amendment |
|---|---|---|
| 27/11/2025 | Introductory text published as: [...] The degree focuses on four disciplines: Politics, Philosophy, Political Economy, and Economics. You will select one as your major and one as your minor, while also taking units of study in the two remaining disciplines. In addition, the BPPE includes three core units of study and BPPE3999 which are all exclusive to the degree. This program aims to provide rigorous training across all four disciplines, while fostering crucial career skills. You will develop strong critical thinking and data literacy, learn how to synthesize information and marshal evidence, and become adept at clear speaking and persuasive writing. The degree also emphasizes ethical decisionmaking, with focused training in moral philosophy. [...] |
Introductory text amended to: [...] The degree focuses on four disciplines: Politics, Philosophy, Political Economy, and Economics. You will select one as your major and one as your minor, while also taking units of study in the two remaining disciplines. In addition, the BPPE includes three core units of study and capstone (BPPE3999) which are exclusive to the degree. This program aims to provide rigorous training across all four disciplines, while fostering crucial career skills. You will develop strong critical thinking and data literacy, learn how to synthesize information and marshal evidence, and become adept at clear speaking and persuasive writing. The degree also emphasizes ethical decision-making, with focused training in moral philosophy. [...] |
| 27/11/2025 | Degree structure and requirements section published as: The BPPE requirements are listed under the course resolutions. Completion of the BPPE requires the completion of: [...] |
Degree structure and requirements section amended to: The BPPE requirements are listed under the course resolutions. Completion of the BPPE requires: [...] |
| 27/11/2025 | BBPE Majors and Minors section published as: The BPPE requires students to complete one major and one minor. Refer to the relevant subject areas linked below for information on the requirements of these majors and minors. The majors and minors that are available are: BPPE students must complete BPPE3999 for their major in place of FASS3999. |
BPPE Majors and Minors section amended to: The BPPE requires students to complete one major and one minor. Refer to the relevant subject areas linked below for information on the requirements of these majors and minors. The available majors and minors are: BPPE students must complete BPPE3999 for their major in place of FASS3999. |
| 27/11/2025 | Dalyell stream section published as: The Dalyell stream is a targeted stream for high achievers. Students who participate in the Dalyell stream are known as the ‘Dalyell Scholars’. As Dalyell Scholars, students have access to a range of curricular and extra-curricular activities. For students enrolled in the Dalyell Stream, a minimum of 12 credit points of Dalyell Stream units of study as specified in Table D must be completed. For further details regarding the Dalyell stream, please refer to the Interdisciplinary Studies Handbook. |
Dalyell stream section amended to: The Dalyell stream is a targeted stream for high achievers. Students who participate in the Dalyell stream are known as the ‘Dalyell Scholars’. As Dalyell Scholars, students have access to a range of curricular and extra-curricular activities. For students enrolled in the Dalyell stream, a minimum of 12 credit points of Dalyell stream units of study as specified in Table D must be completed. For further details regarding the Dalyell stream, please refer to the Interdisciplinary Studies Handbook. |
| 27/11/2025 | Electives section published as: Students enrolled in the BPPE can complete elective units of study from the subject areas listed in Table A (Arts and Social Sciences) and Table S (shared pool). The available units of study are listed in Table A Subject Areas of this handbook and Table S in the Interdisciplinary Studies handbook. Note, however, that the BPPE leaves very little room for elective subjects, particularly if students are enrolled in the Dalyell Stream. |
Electives section amended to: Students enrolled in the BPPE can complete elective units of study from the subject areas listed in Table A (Arts and Social Sciences) and Table S (shared pool). The available units of study are listed in Table A Subject Areas of this handbook and Table S in the Interdisciplinary Studies handbook. Note, however, that the BPPE leaves very little room for elective units, particularly if students are enrolled in the Dalyell stream. |
