Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Explore three of the most important fields in shaping our understanding of society, Canadian public policy and the world.

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Degree

Bachelor

Length

4 years

Faculty/School

Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Why study Philosophy, Politics and Economics at UBC Okanagan?

Get your UBC degree in philosophy, politics and economics, which draws together three of the most important fields in understanding our society and our world:

  • Philosophy, which teaches logic, ethics and how to question critically
  • Politics, which considers the interests and institutions that form public policies and the rules by which we are governed
  • Economics, which encompasses how we make decisions as individuals and groups in our increasingly global world market

Placed into context with each other, these fields allow students to form a critical and informed basis to understand and interpret the world.

Degree Options

At UBC Okanagan, you can complete a Bachelor of Arts (BA) with a major in philosophy, politics, and economics.

Students in the PPE program are required to take a common set of first- and second-year courses. You must also choose one of three options, each of which places an emphasis on one of the three core disciplines.

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Sample Courses

These are examples of courses you can enrol in during your studies. To plan your academic journey, please visit undergraduate academic planning.

ECON 101 - Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 102 - Principles of Macroeconomics
PHIL 111 - Introduction to Philosophy I
POLI 101 - The Government of Canada
STAT 121 - Elementary Statistics

PHIL 233 - Biomedical Ethics
PHIL 230 - Ethics
ECON 204 - Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis
POLI 223 - Introduction to Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)
ECON 232 - History of Economic Thought

ECON 339 - Economics of Technological Change
ECON 370 - Benefit-Cost Analysis and the Economics of Project Evaluation
PHIL 338 - Philosophy of Law
POLI 364 - International Organizations
POLI 382 - Genocide: An Interdisciplinary Perspective

POLI 472 - War and the Modern State
PHIL 497 - Directed Studies for PPE Majors
ECON 427 - Econometrics
PHIL 451 - Philosophy of Mind
POLI 462 - International Relations Theory

Plan your academic journey by exploring the undergraduate academic planning guide designed for Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences students.

Explore customized Program Plans designed to support your journey to graduation and beyond.

Careers and Outcomes

UBC degrees are respected by employers around the globe. Program graduates will have the skills to pursue a career in a variety of fields like,

  • Account manager
  • Actuarial assistant
  • Advertising media planner
  • Assistant to MP/MLA
  • Benefits administrator
  • Broadcast writer
  • Business analyst
  • Campaign worker
  • Claims examiner
  • Collection agent
  • Communication officer
  • Community relations director
  • Community resource coordinator
  • Consumer advocate
  • Crime victim services worker
  • Economic development officer
  • Employee benefits officer
  • Employment counsellor
  • Energy researcher
  • Entrepreneur
  • Foreign correspondent
  • Foreign service officer
  • Freelance writer
  • Human rights worker
  • Immigrant or customs officer
  • Journalist
  • Labour analyst
  • Labour relations specialist
  • Legislative correspondent
  • Market research analyst
  • Media analyst
  • Operations research analyst
  • Policy analyst
  • Public relations officer
  • Radio/TV announcer
  • Speech writer

Admission, Fees, Applying

You could soon be studying at one of the world’s top universities. Be sure to review the content below to prepare for attending UBC Okanagan.

Experiential Learning

Expand your horizons while studying abroad, conducting meaningful research, or working in the community with your UBC colleagues.

Learn more about Co-op, Go Global and Undergraduate Research Awards opportunities at Experiential Education.

At UBC’s Okanagan campus, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in the annual Roger Watts Debates as part of a student team.

In your coursework, you have lots of research opportunities, especially in upper-level courses. You’ll have the option of two directed studies courses, where you will undertake a supervised investigation of an assigned topic, culminating in a major term paper.

Join the philosophy course union or the political science students’ association to build friendships, get involved in advocacy, and gain increased access to career resources.

Discover the Okanagan

A diverse natural region with sandy beaches, beautiful farms, vineyards, orchards and snow-capped mountains, the Okanagan is an inspirational landscape perfect for those seeking leisure or outdoor adventure.

UBC's Okanagan campus borders the dynamic city of Kelowna, a hub of economic development with a population of more than 150,000 people— the fourth fastest-growing population in Canada.