Explore three of the most important fields in shaping our understanding of society, Canadian public policy, and the world. You'll study a wide variety of foundational and advanced courses that prepare you for careers in business or government, to undertake studies in law, business, commerce, journalism, social work, education, or public administration.
Why this program?
- Build the foundational skills needed to pursue a career in business, government, law, and commerce, or to pursue graduate studies in any of the fields of philosophy, politics, or economics.
- Watch or participate as two debate teams face off on public issues before a panel of judges at the Roger Watts Debate.
- Attend seminars with visiting speakers from prominent academic institutions, industry, and government.
- Put your classroom learning to the test with co-op job placements throughout the region and beyond.
Program information
Send details- Campus: Okanagan
- Faculty: Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
- Degree: Bachelor of Arts
- Length 4 yrs
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Co-op
Yes
You can combine your studies with full-time, paid work at top local and international organizations.
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Honours
Yes
You can study intense specialization in a single field.
A UBC degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) draws together three of the most important fields in understanding our society and our world:
- Philosophy, which teaches logic, ethics and how to question critically
- Politics, which considers the interests and institutions that form public policies and the rules by which we are governed
- Economics, which encompasses how we make decisions as individuals and groups in our increasingly global world market
Placed together, these fields allow you to form a critical and informed basis to understand and interpret the world.
Experiential learning and research
At UBC’s Okanagan campus, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in the annual Roger Watts Debates as part of a student team.
In your coursework, you have lots of research opportunities, especially in upper-level courses. You’ll have the option of two directed studies courses, where you will undertake a supervised investigation of an assigned topic, culminating in a major term paper.
The Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences also holds an annual Undergraduate Research Conference on UBC’s Okanagan campus to showcase student research projects. There are research award opportunities within the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences, as well as other merit-based cash awards available to you.
Campus features
UBC is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the 40 best universities in the world. UBC Okanagan is home to several renowned experts in political science working with students and community stakeholders on some truly exciting research and community events. This includes the annual Roger Watts Debates and a recent symposium on Nuclear North Korea that brought in leading experts to share their views on one of today’s most critical global issues.
Send details
Life at UBC's Okanagan campus
UBC's Okanagan campus is renowned for its research opportunities and access to professors. On this tight-knit campus, you’ll be able to work closely with award-winning faculty and make meaningful connections with your peers. You can make friends with similar interests, attend events, and explore career options at one of many clubs and associations including UBCO Political Science Student Association, International Relations Student Association, and Economics Course Union.
Find out moreYour future
A UBC education will introduce you to people and ideas from around the world, open doors to new opportunities, and take you places you never imagined. You’ll graduate not only with expertise in your chosen field, but with the skills you need to continue growing, learning, and evolving. Students intending to pursue graduate studies are advised to consider taking the Honours program.
Program requirements
English-language requirements
English is the language of instruction at UBC. All prospective students must demonstrate English-language competency prior to admission. There are numerous ways to meet the English Language Admission Standard.
General admission requirements
IB Diploma Programme
- Completed IB Diploma, including at least three Higher Level courses.
IB Certificate Courses
- IB Certificate courses (Standard and Higher Level) may be used in an admissions average if you are graduating from a recognized high school curriculum that can be used as your basis of admission.
- IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, do not satisfy the math requirement for admission to UBC’s science-based programs, the Faculty of Management, the UBC Sauder School of Business, or the Vancouver School of Economics.
Degree-specific requirements: Arts
- No specific courses required beyond those needed for general admission
Related courses
The following subject categories are particularly relevant for this degree. Consider taking courses in these areas in your junior year and senior year.
- Language Arts
- Mathematics and Computation
- Second Languages
- Social Studies
- Visual and Performing Arts