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Politics, Philosophy and Law BA (V7MW)

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Find out more about our Politics, Philosophy and Law degree at Warwick

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V7MW

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Bachelor of Arts (BA)

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3 years full-time

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26 September 2022

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Department of Philosophy

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University of Warwick

3a

If you have a keen interest in political affairs, legal debates and philosophical questions about human existence, our Politics, Philosophy and Law (BA) degree provides an exciting opportunity to study three interconnected disciplines that each play a vital part in our everyday lives.

You’ll benefit from working closely with world-leading and internationally renowned experts in three of the UK’s most highly ranked Social Science departments.

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Taking a cross-discipline approach, you will consider the relationships between a functioning society, and how political and legal systems are structured and operate. The course will also develop your understanding of the philosophical origins and basis for law and politics.

You may explore concepts such as justice, freedom, morals and democracy, as well as the formulation and implementation of law and policy across the world. In addition to core modules in each discipline, there is significant flexibility as the course progresses to choose optional modules from within the three departments as well as across the University.

You will have the opportunity to apply to spend a year abroad with one of our international partners and you may also apply to take a work placement.

3c

In your first year, you will take core introductory modules with each discipline plus a core interdisciplinary module in PPL.

In your second year, you will take an optional core module in each discipline from a list in each department, including choices such as Theories of International Relations, Ethics and Applied Ethics, and International Law. The remaining 25% of optional modules can be drawn from any of the three departments, enabling you to focus up to 50% of your modules in one discipline in the second year. Alternatively, you may take optional modules from other departments across the University.

In your final year, you can choose to discontinue one subject, and study 75% of your modules from at least two of the disciplines, including the option to research and write an interdisciplinary PPL dissertation or a dissertation in one subject. The remaining 25% can be chosen from any of the disciplines, or you may take these optional modules from other departments across the University.

3d

Lectures provide you with information, analysis and argument, on the basis of which you prepare for discussion or problem solving in your seminars.

Seminars are much smaller groups, in which you deepen and further your learning through interactive group discussion, debates, and exchange of ideas.

Your seminar tutor or lecturer will provide you with reading, instructions, notes or tasks, and set the format and guide the discussion or work, prompting debate and involving the whole group in the task at hand.

You should expect to attend around 8-12 teaching sessions per week, between lectures and seminars. For each hour you should expect to put in a further 6-8 hours of private study. You’ll be expected to prepare independently or in groups, and share your views and debate the issues and concepts with your classmates.

Lecturers and seminar tutors are available outside of class to give advice on essay writing and on other matters related to their module. They will also give you feedback on your essays to help you improve your writing and problem-solving techniques.

Research training, personal and professional development are all embedded into your PPL degree programme. Through modules, extracurricular activities, skills workshops, careers events and one-to-one advice sessions, you will be able to hone the skills that employers and further study programmes are looking for.

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In person lecture sizes vary greatly, with core first year modules having up to around 500 students. In later years, on optional modules they may be from 30 up to around 200. Seminars in first year usually have up to 14 students, and in later years may be up to 18 students.

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Usually there are 8-12 hours of classroom contact per week. Teaching follows a pattern of weekly lectures and seminars, supplemented by group work, one-to-one advice and feedback hours, and the use of web-based materials.

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Assessment is by a mixture of coursework and exams, and in some modules you are able to choose the assessment method. Other assessed work may include group work, policy documents or presentations. In your final year you may choose to research and write an interdisciplinary PPL dissertation or a dissertation in one subject.

The first year assessments 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%.

3h

Study abroad

We support student mobility through year abroad programmes. PPL students have the opportunity to apply for an intercalated year of study abroad at one of our prestigious partner universities. The Study Abroad Team offers support for these activities.

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Placements and work experience

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

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4a

A level typical offer

AAA.

A level contextual offer

We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is AAB. See if you're eligible.

General GCSE requirements

Unless specified differently above, you will also need a minimum of GCSE grade 4 or C (or an equivalent qualification) in English Language and either Mathematics or a Science subject. Find out more about our entry requirements and the qualifications we accept. We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.

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IB typical offer

38.

IB contextual offer

We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is 36. See if you're eligible.

General GCSE requirements

Unless specified differently above, you will also need a minimum of GCSE grade 4 or C (or an equivalent qualification) in English Language and either Mathematics or a Science subject. Find out more about our entry requirements and the qualifications we accept. We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.

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BTECs will be considered for this course.

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Year One

Introduction to PPL

This module provides you with an understanding of key concepts, theories, problems and methods in moral, political and legal thinking and how the three interact. You will explore the topics at the intersection of the disciplines, considering both academic and real-life issues. You will build on the legal, philosophical and political science skills learned in your other modules, broadening your studies and building a foundation upon which to make connections in future year. The module shows how the study of politics, philosophy and law intersect and will encourage you to think about what it means to be a PPL student.

Introduction to Politics

Introduction to Politics gives you a broad overview of the main issues and theoretical perspectives within Politics. You'll learn first to understand and then apply the core concepts of comparative political science and theory to processes, institutions, ideologies and practical policy-making. You'll conduct a comparative study of different political systems and political change, both in writing and in open debate.

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.

Criminal Law

You will develop an understanding of the general principles of criminal law and its operation within society, coupled with an awareness of the social and political forces that influence the scope of the law and its enforcement. You will encounter basic concepts of the structure of English Criminal Law, and some knowledge of procedures, theories, and historical and political contexts, so as to understand and debate legal arguments and policy. In your studies, you will be expected to assess and present arguments for and against in open debate and also work collaboratively with your peers on specific tasks.

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Tort Law

You will examine the law of civil liability for wrongfully inflicted damage or injury: the law of tort. We emphasise the processes and techniques involved in judicial (as opposed to legislative or administrative) law-making; the relevance and responsiveness of doctrines thus developed to society’s actual problems; and the policies and philosophies underlying the rules. As well as acquiring knowledge of the application of these technical areas of law, you will develop skills of legal reasoning and critical judgement, with particular reference to insurance, loss spreading, developing medical knowledge, professional standards and consumer protection. Work is undertaken independently and in debate and collaboration with your peers.

Year Two

Optional cores (at least one full-year module from each department):

Politics and International Studies

Political Theory from Hobbes: Seeking Freedom and Equality

Theories of International Relations

Core Issues in Comparative Politics

International Security

States and Markets: An Introduction to International Political Economy

Philosophy

Ethics

Applied Ethics

History of Modern Philosophy

Law

Please see “Important Information” regarding changes to the Law School curriculum. We expect Year Two core optional modules to support students in developing an in-depth understanding of the technical and doctrinal aspects of law, and a critical awareness of the role law plays in modern society.

Please check Law School and PPL webpages for the latest information.

You may choose optional modules either from within the PPL departments or from departments across the University.

Final Year

In your final year you can choose to research and write a dissertation in either PPL or any one of the three disciplines.

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• Philosophy of Mind
• Philosophy of Terrorism and Counterterrorism
• Issues in Political Theory
• Politics of Globalisation
• War in the 21st Century
• Comparative Human Rights
• Legal Issues of Brexit
• Medicine and the Law
• Philosophy of Religion
• Public Policy for 21st Century Challenges
• Law and the International Business Environment
• Gender and the Law

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Find out more about fees and funding

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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.

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Graduates from our Philosophy single and joint honours degrees have gone on to pursue careers as:

• Authors, writers and translators
• Legal professionals
• Marketing professionals
• Management consultants and business analysts
• Chartered and certified accountants
• Teaching and educational professionals

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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:

• Philosophy Orienteering/Scavenger Hunt
• Identifying Your Skills, Strengths and Motivators for Philosophy Students
• 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.