Postgraduate Study in Philosophy, Politics and Economics
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.
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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, Master’s, 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.
Ready to apply?
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 |
| POLS 590 Research Dissertation |
| Two of: |
| HUMS 501 Writing and Revision for Graduate Research |
| HUMS 502 Research Methods in the Humanities |
| HUMS 503 Key Debates in the Humanities |
| And: |
| 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 |
| At least two of: |
| HUMS 501 Writing and Revision for Graduate Research |
| HUMS 502 Research Methods in the Humanities |
| HUMS 503 Key Debates in the Humanities |
| And further: |
| 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 | ||
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHPE201 | 2025 | Political Economy I: Method, Philosophy, Applications | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHPE301 | 2025 | Research Essay | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
ECON papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECON112 | 2025 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON201 | 2025 | Microeconomics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON202 | 2025 | Macroeconomics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON206 | 2025 | The World Economy | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON207 | 2025 | Environmental Economics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON210 | 2025 | Introduction to Econometrics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON271 | 2025 | Intermediate Microeconomic Theory | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON301 | 2025 | Labour Economics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON302 | 2025 | International Trade | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON303 | 2025 | Economics of Developing Countries | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON306 | 2025 | Economics of Health and Education | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON308 | 2025 | Public Economics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON316 | 2025 | Open Economy Macroeconomics | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| ECON317 | 2025 | Urban and Regional Economics | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| ECON318 | 2025 | Behavioural Economics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON319 | 2025 | Game Theory | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| ECON350 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| ECON351 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| ECON371 | 2025 | Microeconomic Theory | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| ECON375 | 2025 | Econometrics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON376 | 2025 | Macroeconomic Theory | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| ECON377 | 2025 | Mathematical Economics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON410 | 2025 | Advanced Microeconomic Theory | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON411 | 2025 | Advanced Macroeconomic Theory | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON412 | 2025 | Macroeconometrics | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON413 | 2025 | Microeconometrics | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| ECON480 | 2025 | Dissertation | 40 points | Full Year |
| ECON485 | 2025 | Master's Thesis Preparation | 20 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year |
| ECON492 | 2025 | Dissertation for Philosophy, Politics and Economics | 60 points | Full Year |
| ECON502 | 2025 | Growth, Institutions and Development | 20 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| ECON503 | 2025 | Monetary Economics | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| ECON505 | 2025 | The Economics of Natural Resources and Public Choice | 20 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| ECON507 | 2025 | Topics in Advanced Economics | 20 points | Semester 2 |
POLS papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POLS102 | 2025 | Aotearoa New Zealand Politics – Introduction | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS104 | 2025 | International Relations - Introduction | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS105 | 2025 | Comparative Politics - Introduction | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS110 | 2025 | Political Ideas in Action | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS202 | 2025 | Theories of Justice | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS208 | 2025 | Democracy | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| POLS210 | 2025 | Politics of the Middle East | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS213 | 2025 | New Zealand Foreign Policy | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS216 | 2025 | Politics of the European Union | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| POLS218 | 2025 | Interventions, Peacekeeping and the Global South | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| POLS224 | 2025 | Current Issues in Environmental Politics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS230 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| POLS237 | 2025 | New Zealand Government and Constitution | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS244 | 2025 | Political Theory: Basic Problems | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS250 | 2025 | International Security | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS303 | 2025 | New Zealand's Political Economy | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| POLS306 | 2025 | Politics and the Media in New Zealand | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| POLS307 | 2025 | Nature, Conflict, and the State | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS308 | 2025 | United States Foreign Policy since 1945 | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| POLS315 | 2025 | Nationalism and Identity | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS318 | 2025 | Chinese Foreign Policy | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS319 | 2025 | Te Tiriti/Treaty Politics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS321 | 2025 | Public Policy in New Zealand | 18 points | Summer School |
| POLS323 | 2025 | Marxism: Classical and Contemporary | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS324 | 2025 | Current Issues in Environmental Politics (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS325 | 2025 | International Relations: Concepts and Theories | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS326 | 2025 | Politics of the Arabian Peninsula | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS330 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| POLS337 | 2025 | New Zealand Government and Constitution | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS375 | 2025 | Human Rights - From the Cradle to the Grave | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| POLS390 | 2025 | Research Project | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS413 | 2025 | Political Theory for the Environment | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS475 | 2025 | The Ethics and Politics of Resistance | 20 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| POLS490 | 2025 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year |
| POLS501 | 2025 | The 'Political': Theory and Practice | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS512 | 2025 | The Ethics and Politics of Resistance | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| POLS513 | 2025 | Political Theory for the Environment | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS520 | 2025 | New Zealand Government and Politics | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS521 | 2025 | Politics and Society | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| POLS540 | 2025 | International Relations Theory | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS541 | 2025 | International Relations and the Global South | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS550 | 2025 | Comparative Regional Conflicts | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS590 | 2025 | Research Dissertation | 60 points | 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 20 February 2026) |
PHIL papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHIL101 | 2025 | Mind and Reality | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL103 | 2025 | Ethical Issues | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL105 | 2025 | Critical Thinking | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL106 | 2025 | Radical Philosophy | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL206 | 2025 | Revolutionary Philosophy | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHIL222 | 2025 | Introduction to Formal Logic | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL223 | 2025 | Metaphysical Questions | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| PHIL225 | 2025 | Philosophy of Science | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL227 | 2025 | Morality and Politics: Hobbes to Hume | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| PHIL228 | 2025 | Ethics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL229 | 2025 | Reason, Belief and the Sacred | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL231 | 2025 | Early Modern Philosophy A: Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| PHIL232 | 2025 | Early Modern Philosophy B: Locke, Berkeley, Hume | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL233 | 2025 | Philosophy of Mind and Language | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL234 | 2025 | Are there moral facts? | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL235 | 2025 | Environmental Philosophy | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL236 | 2025 | An Introduction to the Philosophy of Language | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHIL240 | 2025 | Epistemology: The Theory of Knowledge | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL306 | 2025 | Revolutionary Philosophy (Advanced) | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHIL312 | 2025 | Advanced Formal Logic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| PHIL315 | 2025 | Are There Moral Facts? | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL323 | 2025 | Metaphysical Questions | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| PHIL325 | 2025 | Philosophy of Science (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL327 | 2025 | Morals and Politics: Hobbes to Hume (Advanced) | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHIL329 | 2025 | Reason, Belief and the Sacred | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL331 | 2025 | Early Modern Philosophy A: Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| PHIL332 | 2025 | Early Modern Philosophy B: Locke, Berkeley, Hume | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL333 | 2025 | Philosophy of Mind and Language | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL335 | 2025 | Why Be Moral? | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL336 | 2025 | An Introduction to the Philosophy of Language (Advanced) | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHIL338 | 2025 | Ethical Theory | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL340 | 2025 | Epistemology: The Theory of Knowledge (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL401 | 2025 | Advanced History of Philosophy | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHIL406 | 2025 | Why Be Moral? | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHIL413 | 2025 | Ethical Theory | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHIL414 | 2025 | No-Ought-From-Is and the Slavery of Reason | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHIL415 | 2025 | Meaning and Metaphysics | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHIL417 | 2025 | Advanced Issues in Foundational Philosophy | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| PHIL418 | 2025 | Advanced Problems in Applied Philosophy | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| PHIL451 | 2025 | Special Topic | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHIL458 | 2025 | Special Topic | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHIL480 | 2025 | Research Essay | 30 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| PHIL490 | 2025 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 12 June 2026) |
| PHIL590 | 2025 | Research Dissertation | 60 points | 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 20 February 2026), 2nd Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 3 July 2026) |
Contacts
Email ppe@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/ppe
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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