Get a post-graduate work permit for up to three years if you are a full-time UBC international student graduating from a bachelor’s degree program and meet all eligibility criteria.
Want to learn more?
Visit the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences website to learn more about Philosophy, Politics, and Economics.
View full program detailsProgram information
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.
Program overview
- Campus
- Okanagan
- Program length
- 4 years
- Faculty
- Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
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- Yes
- Degree
- Bachelor of Arts
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What you'll learn
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.|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.|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.
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.
Program advantages
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.
Most popular courses
Introduction to outstanding philosophers and their systems. Ethics, political philosophy, metaphysics, and philosophy of religion
Moral problems arising in the health sciences. Topics may include abortion, death and euthanasia, genetic engineering, behaviour modification, compulsory treatment, experimentation with human beings and animals, and/or the relationship between professionals and their patients, subjects, or clients
Techniques and problems in benefit-cost analysis of public projects. Examination of alternative approaches to public decision-making such as cost-effectiveness analysis and multiple-objective frameworks. Case studies of projects in the areas of natural resources, the environment, human resources, public services, and transportation
The nature of the mental and physical; the relation between minds and bodies; the character of psychological explanation
Outcomes
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.
Take action & plan
Program requirements
Choose application type:
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
Want to get a feel for campus?
If you’re unable to visit UBC in person, or you just want to get a sneak peek at your new home campus before you arrive, take one of our virtual tours. Current UBC students walk you through UBC’s residences, study spots, recreational facilities, lecture halls, academic buildings, and more.
Related programs
Get a post-graduate work permit for up to three years if you are a full-time UBC international student graduating from a bachelor’s degree program and meet all eligibility criteria.
Want to learn more?
Visit the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences website to learn more about Philosophy, Politics, and Economics.
View full program details