MSc in Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE)
University of Groningen
Key Information
Campus location
Groningen, Netherlands
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 year
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 2,314 / per year *
Application deadline
01 May 2024
Earliest start date
Sep 2024
* EU/EEA students: €2,314 | non-EU/EEA students: €16,000
Introduction
Does globalization undermine social solidarity? Does populism threaten our democracies? How do we encourage corporate social responsibility? And how can we rise to the challenge of climate change?
Our world today faces complex challenges that cannot be tackled by one discipline alone. We need an approach that cuts across boundaries. Our selective one-year Master’s program in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) offers this interdisciplinary approach. The program aims at ambitious students with a wide range of interests – students who want to explore the philosophical dimensions of political and economic issues and develop and apply their critical thinking tools. If you are interested to work at the interface between politics, economics, and philosophy, this is your master's program.
What will you learn? The program will equip you with the central theoretical and methodological tools from PPE that allow you to understand and critically examine complex problems ranging from global poverty to the financial crisis. You will learn to analyze the political and economic complexities of organizational structures. You will see what is at stake in theories of democracy, collective decision‐making, rational choice, social inequality, and economic growth. And you will learn how to apply theoretical insights to concrete policy problems both locally and globally.
Attractions of PPE in Groningen
Talent grants and tuition waivers
- We offer two grants of €5000 to the most talented non-EU/EEA applicants.
- Non-EU/EEA students will receive a tuition waiver of 50%.
Why study this program in Groningen?
This program has been rated exceptionally high by our students in the national student satisfaction survey NSE: our program received the highest overall rating out of all Master programs in the Netherlands. The average overall score came to 4.9 out of 5!
PPE should be more than the addition of P, P, and E. Rather than studying the three disciplines separately, the PPE master's program in Groningen is unique in teaching PPE as a genuinely integrative discipline. Moreover, our program offers a distinctive combination of theory and practice: you will learn to apply theories and methods to policy issues.
We combine a thorough interdisciplinary PPE foundation with ample opportunities for specialization. Our core courses and policy seminars provide the foundation, and our wide range of electives allow you to delve deeper into one or more of the disciplinary fields.
Our instructors are of top international quality. The Faculty of Philosophy, for example, is ranked as the best place to study philosophy in the Netherlands. Our small class sizes allow us to provide a close personalized approach, and a personal mentor will guide you through your studies.
Curriculum
The one‐year (60 ECTS) program consists of nine modules of 5 ECTS each and a 15 ECTS Master thesis. Three of these nine modules constitute the academic core of the program: Methods of PPE, Theories of PPE, and History of PPE. In two PPE seminars, knowledge from Methods and Theories is applied to policy issues. Four PPE electives and a Master thesis complete the program.
Courses
- Elective 1
- Methods of PPE
- Theories of PPE
- Elective 2
- History of PPE
- PPE Seminar 1
- Elective 3
- Elective 4
- PPE Seminar 2
- Master Thesis
Curriculum
In the Methods of PPE module, you learn the analytical and formal methods that make up PPE research: decision theory, statistics, policy impact assessment, game theory, and social and public choice theory. You learn the strengths and limitations of these methods and discover how to frame problems and select the appropriate method for them.
In the Theories of PPE module, we focus on key concepts and theories, including rationality, utility, efficiency, equality, and fairness. You will learn how to apply these concepts and theories to issues such as productivity, property rights, social security, markets, intergenerational justice, environmental policy, collective action, and voting.
In the History of PPE module, we critically reflect on the main historical traditions relevant to PPE, focusing on Hobbes, Locke, Hume, Smith, Rousseau, and modern developments such as the rise of capitalism, Marxism, and utopian socialism.
In the PPE Seminars, you will apply the methods and theories of PPE to concrete policy issues.
For the electives, you can choose courses from a list of electives especially designed for the PPE program and from electives in other programs offered by the participating faculties.
To conclude your degree, you will write a Master's thesis on a topic of your own choice.
Study abroad
- Study abroad is unaccommodated
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Job prospects
With its combination of a generalist PPE foundation and its opportunities for specialization, our Master's prepares you for a broad range of careers. The program provides you with the knowledge, insight, and skills to work in organizations as diverse as national or international public administrations, governmental and non‐governmental organizations, private businesses and banks, journalism, think tanks, and research institutions.
Our alumni find jobs in the following fields and for the following employers:
Fields
(Corporate Social Responsibility) consultancy; strategy consultancy, data science, funding, public affairs.
Employers
Government departments, NGOs, embassies, university networks, sustainable investment companies, intergovernmental organizations.
Job examples
- policy advisor
- strategy consultant
- CSR consultant