Solve the world's problems.
In Philosophy, Politics and Economics ( PPE ) we prepare students to solve the world’s problems by combining the analytical reasoning of philosophy, the social insight of political studies, and the methodological rigour of economics. Students complete a challenging course of study in logic, ethics, collective action, human behaviour, political theory, economics, and the history of ideas.
Developed originally at Oxford, our programme in PPE includes a foundation in the classic texts of the human sciences, engagement with the best new ideas about society, and analysis of present-day policy challenges. Today’s policy challenges are more complicated than ever, and PPE ’s interdisciplinary course of study prepares students to meet them.
Why study Philosophy, Politics and Economics?
Students in the Otago PPE programme complete rigorous courses of study in the three core disciplines, in addition to interdisciplinary seminars and original research.
There are natural affinities and common roots among several strands of philosophy, politics, and economics. For example, economics developed from the field of political economy, welfare economics utilises concepts of social justice from philosophy, and the philosophy of science has important implications for methodologies adopted in economics and politics.
The aim of the programme is to give a broader exposure to the range of analytical approaches in these three disciplines than would be gained within any one of the traditional single-discipline majors.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics as an undergraduate at Otago.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, masters’, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons))
A four-year degree focusing on advanced study and culminating in a research project in the final year
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts)
A two-semester programme of structured coursework, and in some cases supervised research, extending the knowledge and skills gained from the bachelor’s degree
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework))
A coursework degree with an optional research dissertation component, usually completed in 12 to 18 months of full-time study, or part-time over a longer period
Master of Business (MBus)
A coursework degree with an optional research component, awarded in a chosen specialist subject, completed in one-year's full-time or equivalent part-time study
Postgraduate Diploma in Business (PGDipBus)
A two-semester (at full-time), coursework programme, offering specialisation in a variety of subjects and a possible entry pathway into the MBus
Postgraduate Certificate in Business (PGCertBus)
A coursework programme, typically consisting of three papers, that can be completed with full-time study (half year) or part-time study (full year)
Graduate qualifications
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
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Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
| Papers |
|---|
| One of: |
| Three further 400-level ECON, PHIL, POLS or 500-level ECON, PHIL, POLS papers |
| No more than 100 points may be from any one of the component disciplines. CLAS 440 may be substituted for one 400-level PHIL paper. |
The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) programme in Philosophy, Politics and Economics is the same as the programme for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)).
| Dissertation / Studio Project Requirements |
|---|
| One of ECON 590 Research Dissertation, PHIL 590 Research Dissertation, or POLS 590 Research Dissertation |
| Two 500-level HUMS papers (worth 60 points) |
| 400- or 500-level papers in ECON, PHIL or POLS worth 60 points |
| No more than 90 points may be from any one of the component disciplines. |
| Papers-Only Requirements |
| Two 500-level HUMS papers (worth 60 points) |
| 400- or 500-level papers in ECON, PHIL or POLS worth 120 points |
| No more than 90 points may be from any one of the component disciplines. |
| Note: Students are able to take one of HUMS 501-503 not already taken as an optional paper in this pathway. |
The Master of Business in Philosophy, Politics and Economics will be awarded on successful completion of 180 points from one of the three options (Dissertation, Project or Coursework) outlined in the schedule below.
| Option | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | Compulsory papers: | |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century | 10 | |
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1 | 10 | |
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2 | 20 | |
| BSNS 590 Dissertation | 60 | |
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 80 points from: | 80 | |
| 400-level ECON, PHIL, or POLS papers or 500-level ECON, PHIL, or POLS papers*, including at least one paper from two of the three disciplines | ||
| Total | 180 | |
| Project | Compulsory papers: | |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century | 10 | |
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1 | 10 | |
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2 | 20 | |
| BSNS 580 Applied Project | 40 | |
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 100 points from: | 100 | |
| 400-level ECON, PHIL, or POLS papers or 500-level ECON, PHIL, or POLS papers*, including at least one paper from two of the three disciplines | ||
| Total | 180 | |
| Coursework | Compulsory papers: | |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century | 10 | |
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1 | 10 | |
| BSNS 413 Research Skills and Methods 2 | 20 | |
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 140 points from: | 140 | |
| 400-level ECON, PHIL, or POLS papers or 500-level ECON, PHIL, or POLS papers*, including at least one paper from two of the three disciplines and including a minimum of 40-points at 500-level. | ||
| Total | 180 | |
| * Some papers are limited to students in particular programmes |
Papers to the equivalent of 120 points from:
BSNS 411, BSNS 412, BSNS 413, 400-level ECON, PHIL or POLS papers, or 500-level ECON, PHIL or POLS papers
Papers to the equivalent of 60 points from:
BSNS 411, BSNS 412, BSNS 413, 400-level ECON, PHIL or POLS papers, or 500-level ECON, PHIL or POLS papers
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
PHPE papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHPE101 | 2027 | Introduction to Philosophy, Politics and Economics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHPE201 | 2026, 2027 | Political Economy I: Method, Philosophy, Applications | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHPE301 | 2026, 2027 | Research Essay | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
ECON papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECON112 | 2026, 2027 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON201 | 2026, 2027 | Microeconomics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON202 | 2026, 2027 | Macroeconomics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON206 | 2026, 2027 | The World Economy | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON207 | 2026, 2027 | Environmental Economics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON210 | 2026, 2027 | Introduction to Econometrics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON271 | 2026, 2027 | Intermediate Microeconomic Theory | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON301 | 2026, 2027 | Labour Economics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON302 | 2026, 2027 | International Trade | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON303 | 2026, 2027 | Economics of Developing Countries | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON306 | 2026, 2027 | Economics of Health and Education | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON308 | 2026, 2027 | Public Economics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON316 | 2026, 2027 | Open Economy Macroeconomics | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| ECON317 | 2026, 2027 | Urban and Regional Economics | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| ECON318 | 2026, 2027 | Behavioural Economics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON319 | 2026, 2027 | Game Theory | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON350 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| ECON351 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| ECON371 | 2026, 2027 | Microeconomic Theory | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| ECON375 | 2026, 2027 | Econometrics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON376 | 2026, 2027 | Macroeconomic Theory | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| ECON377 | 2026, 2027 | Mathematical Economics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON410 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Microeconomic Theory | 20 points | Semester 2, Semester 1 |
| ECON411 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Macroeconomic Theory | 20 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| ECON412 | 2026, 2027 | Macroeconometrics | 20 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| ECON413 | 2026, 2027 | Microeconometrics | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON416 | 2027 | Economic Policy and Policy Evaluation | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON480 | 2026, 2027 | Dissertation | 40 points | Full Year |
| ECON485 | 2026, 2027 | Master's Thesis Preparation | 20 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year |
| ECON492 | 2026, 2027 | Dissertation for Philosophy, Politics and Economics | 60 points | Full Year |
| ECON503 | 2026 | Monetary Economics | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON505 | 2026, 2027 | The Economics of Natural Resources and Public Choice | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| ECON507 | 2026, 2027 | Topics in Advanced Economics | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON508 | 2027 | Current Issues in Economics | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON509 | 2027 | Economic Policy in the Pacific | 20 points | 1st Non standard period (15 November 2027 - 18 December 2027) |
POLS papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POLS102 | 2026, 2027 | Aotearoa New Zealand Politics – Introduction | 18 points | Semester 2, Semester 1 |
| POLS104 | 2026, 2027 | International Relations - Introduction | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| POLS105 | 2026, 2027 | Comparative Politics - Introduction | 18 points | Semester 2, Semester 1 |
| POLS110 | 2026, 2027 | Political Ideas in Action | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| POLS202 | 2026, 2027 | Theories of Justice | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS208 | 2026, 2027 | Democracy | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| POLS210 | 2026, 2027 | Politics of the Middle East | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| POLS213 | 2026, 2027 | New Zealand Foreign Policy | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 1 |
| POLS216 | 2026, 2027 | Politics of the European Union | 18 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027 |
| POLS218 | 2026, 2027 | Interventions, Peacekeeping and the Global South | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS224 | 2026, 2027 | Current Issues in Environmental Politics | 18 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027 |
| POLS230 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| POLS237 | 2026, 2027 | New Zealand Government and Constitution | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| POLS242 | 2026, 2027 | Settler State Politics in Aotearoa and Australia | 18 points | Semester 2, Semester 1 |
| POLS244 | 2026, 2027 | Political Theory: Basic Problems | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| POLS250 | 2026, 2027 | International Security | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS303 | 2026, 2027 | New Zealand's Political Economy | 18 points | Semester 1, Summer School |
| POLS307 | 2026, 2027 | Nature, Conflict, and the State | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS308 | 2026, 2027 | United States Foreign Policy since 1945 | 18 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027 |
| POLS310 | 2026, 2027 | Turkey and Its Neighbours | 18 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027 |
| POLS315 | 2026, 2027 | Nationalism and Identity | 18 points | Summer School, Semester 2 |
| POLS318 | 2026, 2027 | Chinese Foreign Policy | 18 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027 |
| POLS319 | 2026, 2027 | Te Tiriti/Treaty Politics | 18 points | Semester 2, Semester 1 |
| POLS321 | 2026, 2027 | Public Policy in New Zealand | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| POLS323 | 2026, 2027 | Marxism: Classical and Contemporary | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 1 |
| POLS324 | 2026, 2027 | Current Issues in Environmental Politics (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027 |
| POLS325 | 2026, 2027 | International Relations: Concepts and Theories | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| POLS326 | 2026, 2027 | Politics of the Arabian Peninsula | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| POLS330 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| POLS337 | 2026, 2027 | New Zealand Government and Constitution | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| POLS340 | 2026, 2027 | Contemporary Issues in Global Politics | 18 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027 |
| POLS390 | 2026, 2027 | Research Project | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS399 | 2027 | Political Actors in Action | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS413 | 2026, 2027 | Political Theory for the Environment | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS475 | 2026, 2027 | The Ethics and Politics of Resistance | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| POLS490 | 2026, 2027 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year |
| POLS501 | 2026, 2027 | The 'Political': Theory and Practice | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS512 | 2026, 2027 | The Ethics and Politics of Resistance | 30 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| POLS513 | 2026, 2027 | Political Theory for the Environment | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS520 | 2026, 2027 | New Zealand Government and Politics | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS521 | 2026, 2027 | Politics and Society | 30 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| POLS540 | 2026, 2027 | International Relations Theory | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS541 | 2026, 2027 | International Relations and the Global South | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS550 | 2026, 2027 | Comparative Regional Conflicts | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS590 | 2026, 2027 | Research Dissertation | 60 points | 1st Non standard period (27 February 2026 - 19 February 2027), 2nd Non standard period (17 July 2026 - 9 July 2027), 1st Non standard period (5 March 2027 - 25 February 2028) |
PHIL papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHIL101 | 2026, 2027 | Mind and Reality | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL103 | 2026, 2027 | Ethical Issues | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL105 | 2026, 2027 | Critical Thinking | 18 points | Semester 2, Semester 1 |
| PHIL106 | 2026, 2027 | Radical Philosophy | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| PHIL206 | 2026, 2027 | Revolutionary Philosophy | 18 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| PHIL222 | 2026, 2027 | Introduction to Formal Logic | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL223 | 2026, 2027 | Metaphysical Questions | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL225 | 2026, 2027 | Philosophy of Science | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| PHIL227 | 2026, 2027 | Morality and Politics: Hobbes to Hume | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL228 | 2026, 2027 | Ethics | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| PHIL229 | 2026, 2027 | Reason, Belief and the Sacred | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL231 | 2026, 2027 | Early Modern Philosophy A: Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz | 18 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| PHIL232 | 2026, 2027 | Early Modern Philosophy B: Locke, Berkeley, Hume | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| PHIL233 | 2026, 2027 | Philosophy of Mind and Language | 18 points | Semester 2, Semester 1 |
| PHIL234 | 2026, 2027 | Are there moral facts? | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| PHIL235 | 2026, 2027 | Environmental Philosophy | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 1 |
| PHIL236 | 2026, 2027 | An Introduction to the Philosophy of Language | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, expected to be offered in 2028, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| PHIL238 | 2026, 2027 | Philosophy of Well-being | 18 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| PHIL240 | 2026, 2027 | Epistemology: The Theory of Knowledge | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 1 |
| PHIL241 | 2027 | Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL306 | 2026, 2027 | Revolutionary Philosophy (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| PHIL312 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Formal Logic | 18 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| PHIL315 | 2026, 2027 | Are There Moral Facts? | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| PHIL323 | 2026, 2027 | Metaphysical Questions | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL325 | 2026, 2027 | Philosophy of Science (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| PHIL327 | 2026, 2027 | Morals and Politics: Hobbes to Hume (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL328 | 2026, 2027 | Ethics (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| PHIL329 | 2026, 2027 | Reason, Belief and the Sacred | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL331 | 2026, 2027 | Early Modern Philosophy A: Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz | 18 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| PHIL332 | 2026, 2027 | Early Modern Philosophy B: Locke, Berkeley, Hume | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| PHIL333 | 2026, 2027 | Philosophy of Mind and Language | 18 points | Semester 2, Semester 1 |
| PHIL335 | 2026, 2027 | Why Be Moral? | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| PHIL336 | 2026, 2027 | An Introduction to the Philosophy of Language (Advanced) | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, expected to be offered in 2028, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| PHIL338 | 2026, 2027 | Philosophy of Well-being (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| PHIL340 | 2026, 2027 | Epistemology: The Theory of Knowledge (Advanced) | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 1 |
| PHIL341 | 2027 | Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL401 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced History of Philosophy | 30 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| PHIL406 | 2026, 2027 | Why Be Moral? | 30 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| PHIL413 | 2026, 2027 | Ethical Theory | 30 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| PHIL414 | 2026, 2027 | No-Ought-From-Is and the Slavery of Reason | 30 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| PHIL417 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Issues in Foundational Philosophy | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL418 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Problems in Applied Philosophy | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL458 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic | 30 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| PHIL480 | 2026, 2027 | Research Essay | 30 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| PHIL490 | 2026, 2027 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 11 June 2027), 1st Non standard period (12 July 2027 - 9 June 2028) |
| PHIL590 | 2026, 2027 | Research Dissertation | 60 points | 1st Non standard period (27 February 2026 - 19 February 2027), 2nd Non standard period (17 July 2026 - 9 July 2027), 1st Non standard period (5 March 2027 - 25 February 2028), 2nd Non standard period (16 July 2027 - 7 July 2028) |
Contacts
Email ppe@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/ppe
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
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