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Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (EPP) (BA/BSc) (Full-Time, 2021 Entry)

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UCAS Code
L1CA

Qualification
Bachelor of Science (BSc) or Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Duration
3 years full-time (or 4 years with placement)

Start Date
27 September 2021

Department of Study
Department of Philosophy

Location of Study
University of Warwick


Studying Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (EPP) offers a unique opportunity to study at the intersection of three interconnected subjects. You will consider the cognitive and contextual factors that shape people’s decision-making, how we can help people make better decisions, and what is involved in groups of people making decisions.


Course overview

This exciting new course is built on the strength of existing research connections between the four departments that will contribute to it: the departments of Economics, Psychology, and Philosophy, and Warwick Business School (specifically the Behavioural Science Group).

The current attention that this interdisciplinary field of research, particularly the area of Behavioural Science and Behavioural Economics, receives across academia, government and the private sector also makes this course an excellent preparation for a wide range of careers within local government, public health, media, charities and NGOs, marketing and finance.

You will have a choice of interesting potential specialisms and pathways through your course so that you can explore the issues that interest you the most, to graduate with either a BA or a BSc. Students on all pathways take a course-specific co-taught core capstone module in the final year, which is specifically designed to set the three disciplines in interdisciplinary dialogue with each other.


Course structure

The course allows you to gain strong knowledge in each of the disciplines while also enabling you to specialise according to your interests and strengths.

The first year comprises of core foundation modules in each subject before you can select a pathway in Second Year to guide your remaining choices. Depending on your pathway, you will be able to graduate with either a BA or BSc.

In your Second and Third Years, you will take a combination of modules from the departments to complement your pathway, combining a number of core modules with your own optional module choices.

In Third Year, all students study the interdisciplinary EPP module, bringing together the subjects and focussing on topics at the intersection of the disciplines.


How will I learn?

Each department is slightly different in how teaching is organised and you will experience different teaching methods.

Typically you can expect to experience lectures, smaller seminar groups in which to discuss and debate, and some practical and project work. Independent study is also important.


How will I be assessed?

Assessment is via a mixture of coursework, tests and exams.

First Year results are qualifying and do not count towards your degree classification. The final degree classification is determined by your Second and Final Year marks and each year contributes 50%.


Study abroad

You have the opportunity to apply for an intercalated study abroad year at one of our many partner institutions, extending their degree to four years. As well as offering an opportunity to experience an alternative university system, studying abroad can also provide the chance to improve language skills and to gain an understanding of a country that can only be gained by living and working in it.


Work experience

You can apply for an intercalated year of Work Placement that extends the degree to four years.

General entry requirements

Our selectors value a breadth of subjects. You should therefore avoid subjects with significantly overlapping curricula should be avoided where possible - for example, Economics and Business Studies.

A level:

  • A*AA
  • You will also need at least grade 7/grade A in GCSE Mathematics

IB:

  • 38 to include 5 in Higher or Standard Level Mathematics/Mathematical Studies

Additional requirements:

You will also need to meet our English Language requirements.


International Students

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

Find out more about international entry requirements.


Contextual data and differential offers

Warwick may make differential offers to students in a number of circumstances. These include students participating in the Realising Opportunities programme, or who meet two of the contextual data criteria. Differential offers will be one or two grades below Warwick’s standard offer (to a minimum of BBB).


Warwick International Foundation Programme (IFP)

All students who successfully complete the Warwick IFP and apply to Warwick through UCAS will receive a guaranteed conditional offer for a related undergraduate programme (selected courses only).

Find out more about standard offers and conditions for the IFP.


Taking a gap year

Applications for deferred entry welcomed.


Interviews

We do not typically interview applicants. Offers are made based on your UCAS form which includes predicted and actual grades, your personal statement and school reference.

Year One

Economics 1

You'll develop an understanding of fundamental and intermediate concepts in micro- and macroeconomic analysis, equipping you with a range of appropriate analytical skills, including descriptive, graphical and mathematical methods. This will develop your ability to analyse economic trends, institutions and policies and the capacity to apply analytical techniques to real-world problems.

Quantitative Techniques

This module combines two modules: Mathematical Techniques and Statistical Techniques. You will cover topics ranging from algebra and calculus to distributions and hypothesis testing, which will provide you with key skills and knowledge that will then applied in many other modules. In addition, you will be introduced to some advanced statistical software packages, which will help you learn about a range of techniques to analyse data and different ways in which you can present data.

Psychology in Context

This module introduces you to the history of psychology and core topics in social, developmental and cognitive psychology. You'll be able to discuss some of the classic studies, critically appreciate the main concepts and take a historical perspective on psychology as a science.

Introduction to Philosophy

You'll have a wide-ranging introduction to philosophy, including ancient, continental, moral and political philosophy, followed by epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of mind and aesthetics, and logic. You'll learn to engage critically with different viewpoints and critically analyse and evaluate arguments central to philosophy.


Year Two (optional cores taken depending on pathway)

Economics

Economics 2

You'll develop deeper understanding of some of the key economic concepts but will also be introduced to new concepts in both micro- and macroeconomic analysis. These include material drawn from general equilibrium, welfare economics, game theory, risk and uncertainty within microeconomics and three equation macro model, open economy macroeconomics and the labour market within macroeconomics. It will introduce you to the analysis of public policy issues such as market failure, insurance, monetary unions and fiscal policy, and will give you a range of tools to analyse economic problems. Your analysis will be underpinned by a rigorous theoretical understanding acquired on the course.

Applied Econometrics

You'll learn important skills of both academic and vocational value, an essential part of the intellectual training of an economist and social scientist and also useful for your future career. These skills include awareness of the empirical approach to economics and social science; reviewing and extending fundamental statistical concepts; methods of data collection and analysis; regression analysis, its extensions and applications; use of spreadsheets and statistical packages such as SPSS or STATA. You will then be able to apply this knowledge to a research project of your own.

Econometrics 1

You'll be equipped with important skills of both academic and vocational value, being an essential part of the intellectual training of an economist and also useful for your future career. This includes an awareness of the empirical approach to economics; experience in analysis and use of empirical data; understanding the nature of uncertainty and methods of dealing with it; and using econometric software packages as tools of quantitative and statistical analysis. With the required necessary skills and knowledge to critically appraise work in applied economics, you'll have a good grasp of the dangers, pitfalls and problems encountered in applied modelling. You will then be able to apply this knowledge to a research project of your own.

Microeconomics 2

You will gain a solid understanding of intermediate and some advanced principles of microeconomics and be exposed to a range of applications of theory. You will spend time on the use of mathematical concepts in the field for analysis, and cover important principles of general equilibrium and social welfare, market failure, choice and uncertainty, and static and dynamic games of complete and incomplete information. By the end of this module, you will be able to analyse a range of microeconomic concepts, using a range of approaches, including graphical and mathematical techniques and apply your knowledge to policy issues and to the analysis of different sectors.


Psychology

Language and Cognition

In this module, you'll investigate cognitive processes that underlie language, decision making and problem solving, in the context of investigating the evolution, biological mechanisms, and cognitive processes of language and communication. You'll master key findings and methods in psycholinguistics and cognitive science, and be able to critically evaluate theories of language and cognition.

Perception, Planning and Action

If you are curious about the psychology of perceiving, planning and acting, and the role of perception in controlling and guiding movement, this module is for you. You'll deepen your understanding of perception through the study of neuropsychological deficits, and understand how the study of neuropsychological impairments has helped to develop theories for intact perception, planning and action. You'll evaluate the classic theories of selective attention, and understand how perception and action are linked. We will also examine how visual and somatosensory systems are involved in governing and planning movement, and learn how complex movements are generated by simple mechanisms in the body.


Philosophy

Philosophical Issues in Behavioural Science

Philosophical investigation is indispensable for fully understanding many discoveries in the behavioural sciences, and for identifying new areas of investigation. Key questions include: Are any cognitive processes modular? Is a distinction such as that between implicit and explicit knowledge needed in explaining cognitive development? Are there distinct roles for intention and motor representation in explaining the purposiveness of action? How if it all do motor representations shape experiences of actions, one’s own or others’? What is categorical perception and how is it related to phenomenology? Are there multiple systems for tracking others’ actions, beliefs and other mental states? Can emotions or other mental phenomena be known by means of perceiving them? When two or more agents act together, in virtue of what can their actions have a collective goal? What is it for agents to act together cooperatively, or to be committed to do so?


Warwick Business School

Foundations of Human Sociality and Cooperation

This module explores the origins and basis of human sociality and cooperation using an interdisciplinary approach that includes theories and empirical findings from psychology, economics, sociology, biology and anthropology. It addresses evolutionary mechanisms, psychological mechanisms (from a developmental and comparative perspective) and societal mechanisms underlying human social and cooperative interactions. It will address a variety of topics and questions such as: How does prosocial behaviour develop in life (ontogeny)? What are the evolutionary roots of human cooperation and morality? What is the role of social norms in societies? How can our knowledge about human sociality improve decisions in business and public policy?


Year Three

Interdisciplinary EPP module

Behavioural Economics (Behavioural Economics Pathway)

Across Years Two and Three you may choose optional modules either from within the EPP departments or from departments across the University, including Warwick Business School. In your final year you can choose to research and write a dissertation or Economics research project.


Examples of optional modules/options for current students:

  • Collective Decisions
  • Topics in Applied Economics
  • Behavioural Economics
  • Strategic Games
  • Neuroscience for Business and Social Studies
  • Behaviour Change
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Applied Ethics
  • Moral Psychology
  • The Philosophy of Emotions
  • Democracy and Authority

Tuition fees

Find out more about fees and funding


Additional course costs

There may be costs associated with other items or services such as academic texts, course notes, and trips associated with your course. Students who choose to complete a work placement or study abroad will pay reduced tuition fees for their third year.


Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship 2021

We believe there should be no barrier to talent. That's why we are committed to offering a scholarship that makes it easier for gifted, ambitious international learners to pursue their academic interests at one of the UK's most prestigious universities. This new scheme will offer international fee-paying students 250 tuition fee discounts ranging from full fees to awards of £13,000 to £2,000 for the full duration of your Undergraduate degree course.

Find out more about the Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship 2021

Your career

As no EPP students have yet graduated from the programme, information on careers pathways is unavailable. However, we foresee students pursuing careers within local government, public health, media, charities and NGOs, marketing and finance.


Helping you find the right career

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant to support you. They offer impartial advice and guidance, together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

  • Career Pathways to International Development
  • Identifying Your Skills, Strengths and Motivators
  • Global Careers in Finance
  • Thinking about Work Experience for Philosophy Students
  • Careers in the Public Sector
  • Warwick careers fairs throughout the year

Find out more about careers support at Warwick.

This information is applicable for 2021 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.