Course summary
Our BA Politics, Philosophy and History (PPH) draws together the three disciplines in a distinctive combination and uses them to interrogate one another. This innovative degree is unified by the following cross-disciplinary core modules taught by members of all three contributing departments:
- Rise of the Modern State
- Conceptions of the Human from the Enlightenment to Today
- Problems of Explanation and Interpretation
- Birkbeck is a distinguished centre of research and teaching excellence in politics. Our central London location puts us at the heart of the UK's political life and at the centre of academic London.
- Birkbeck's Department of Philosophy is a leading centre for philosophical research in the UK. All of our established members of academic staff are active researchers, and the Department’s excellence in both teaching and research is consistently reflected in UK and international surveys.
- Our departmental building was once a key location for members of the Bloomsbury Group, so you could be studying in rooms that have hosted distinguished visitors, including T. S. Eliot, George Bernard Shaw and Maynard Keynes.
- Our Department of Politics is nearly 50 years old and has a reputation for the excellence of its teaching and its internationally significant research.
- Our Department of History, Classics and Archaeology is a world-renowned centre of original, influential research. Birkbeck was ranked in the top eight universities in the UK for its History research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
- The PPH Society, run by students, organises regular study skills days, a weekend away, a journal and regular social events.
- diplomatic service operational officer
- civil service fast-streamer
- charity officer
- newspaper journalist.
Modules
For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.
Assessment method
Written examinations in the summer term of the year in which modules are taken, or a mixture of essay and examination-based assessment.
How to apply
25Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential. ALTERNATIVE ENTRY ROUTES Students who have completed Birkbeck's Certificate of Higher Education in Politics and International Studies may be given entry to the second year of the degree.
Unistats information
Operated by the Office for Students
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £6935 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £6935 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £6935 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £6935 | Year 1 |
| International | £12015 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their programme. Tuition fees for students continuing on their programme in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Provider information
Birkbeck, University of London
Malet Street
Bloomsbury
London
WC1E 7HX
Course contact details
Visit our course pageBirkbeck Student Advice Service
0203 907 0700