Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

About the Programme

PPE was first established as a major within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences by the Departments of Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics in 2018. In 2020, with the launch of the College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS), PPE became one of the inaugural Cross-Disciplinary Degree Programmes (XDP) in CHS.

From its inception, the program focussed on the multidimensional study of social and political phenomena. Now an XDP, PPE does not primarily aim at “breadth” (exposure to a variety of things). Rather, it aims to achieve a targeted depth in a curated common core that combines elements from the three disciplines of Philosophy, Political Science and Economics.

Through this common core, students gain knowledge and skills that allow them to study social and political phenomena in a way that is both philosophical and social-scientifically informed. Some of the key elements of this common core include: Formal Logic, Decision Theory and Social Choice Theory, Basic Economic Quantitative Analysis, Microeconomic Analysis, Empirical Research Methodology, and Government and Politics of Singapore.

Over and above this targeted depth, students in the programme will learn to integrate knowledge from across the three domains in specially crafted courses.

The programme aims to train a generation of strategy analysts and policy formulators with the capability to approach social and political issues from multiple disciplinary angles, and thereby add value to their organisations and society at large.

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

Admission Information

There are two ways to enter PPE-XDP:

Option 1: Apply to enter PPE-XDP at the point of admission

When applying for admission to NUS, select “PHILOSOPHY, POLITICS, AND ECONOMICS” as one of your course selections. If you are shortlisted (this happens after the NUS admissions deadline has passed), you will be given instructions to submit an application essay and record a short video using a separate portal.

For the 2024 round of admission: Please read this article. You will be asked to explain what is meant by saying that Google’s AI problem is not a “technical” but a “philosophical” one, suggesting some lessons that the three disciplines of philosophy, politics, and economics can provide for companies, stakeholders, or policy makers to navigate such issues in the future. (500 words limit). For the video, you will be asked to explain why you are keen to join the program, what you hope to get out of it, and why you are suited for it. We are particularly interested in hearing your personal narrative: What was it that got you, in particular, interested in the PPE program? The video must be under 2 minutes, and you are to record it directly using the portal you will be directed to if you are shortlisted. Make sure to access the portal using a computer that has a functioning webcam and microphone.

For more information, please refer to the FAQs.

Notes:

(1) Candidates applying to NUS College are also covered by this option. See the FAQ as well.

(2) Returning National Servicemen (RNS) who were previously offered admission to NUS but would like to re-apply for change of course to PPE-XDP may submit a new application when the application window for local qualifications opens. If you are shortlisted for consideration, you will also be invited to send in your essay and video for evaluation together with the others.

(3) Applicants successfully gained admission to NUS but would like to appeal for change of course to PPE-XDP may do so during the appeal window. Those shortlisted for consideration will be invited to submit their video and essay.

(4) If you are accepted into PPE-XDP at the point of admission, you may still switch to another major within CHS later, if so desired.

Option 2: Apply to transfer into the PPE-XDP programme mid-stream

Students (Cohort 2021 onwards) may also apply to transfer into the PPE-XDP Programme after their first year of study. As a general principle, we are looking for students with a demonstrated potential to do well in both qualitative and quantitative subjects.

The requirements are: An average of "A-" for the three gateway courses for Philosophy (GEX1015), Political Science (PS1101E), and Economics (EC1101E), with no course (out of the three) below a "B+"; and an overall GPA of at least 4.0 based upon at least 28 units of graded courses

Interested students should submit their application via the NUS Office of Admissions when the window for course transfer opens in February and October each year. Look for "Current Students in NUS seeking a change of course" here during the window. Successful applicants will be confirmed in time for the following semester. Given the requirements, students should apply only when they have first year results based on at least 28 units of graded courses.

Notes:

(1) Students in NUS College wishing to transfer into PPE-XDP are also covered by this option.

(2) If the S/U option has been exercised on the gateway courses, the original grades will be taken into consideration.

(3) Applicants who are very close to the requirements may submit an appeal, explaining why you are suited for the programme. The PPE programme committee may also conduct interviews to assess applicants for suitability for PPE-XDP.

(4) While the earliest you can seek a transfer is after two semesters of study in CHS, you may do so after three semesters as well, or even after four semesters, if your study plan allows you to graduate on time.

(5) Existing students from the PPE major (from Cohorts 2018, 2019, 2020) will not have the option to transfer to PPE-XDP. And CHS students (from Cohorts 2021 onwards) will not be able to access the old PPE major programme.

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

Graduation Requirements

PPE-XDP students will offer at least 160 units, distributed as follows:

  • 40 units for core University and College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS) requirements.
  • 72 units for courses in Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics.
  • 28 units for courses for interdisciplinary courses and independent projects.
  • 20 units for courses in Unrestricted Electives.

Curriculum Structure

Courses specially created for PPE-XDP are indicated by the “PE” coding, and the offering department is marked by the suffix (“P” for Philosophy, “S” for Political Science, and “E” for Economics”). For example, “PE2101P Introduction to Philosophy, Politics, and Economics” is offered by the Department of Philosophy.

In addition, many courses in PPE-XDP are also major courses for Philosophy, Political Science, or Economics. These keep their normal major coding, for example, “EC2101 Microeconomic Analysis I”, “PS3257 Political Inquiry”.

Since every course in PPE-XDP is offered by a particular department, including the “PE” courses, queries about them are thus best addressed to the relevant offering department. These include questions regarding the mapping of exchange courses, as each such course needs to be mapped onto a specific course in the PPE curriculum if it is to count towards the major.

Below is the programme curriculum for PPE-XDP (current as of August 2021):

General Education and College of Humanities and Sciences (40 units)

  • Data Literacy
  • Design Thinking
  • Digital Literacy
  • Singapore Studies [See Note (d)]
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Communities and Engagement
  • Writing - FAS1101 Writing Academically
  • Integrated Asian Studies - HSA1000 Asian Interconnections
  • Integrated Science I - HSI1000 Scientific Inquiry I
  • Integrated Science II

Unrestricted Electives (20 units) [See Note (e)]

Major (Disciplinary) Courses (72 units) [See Notes (a), (b), (g)]

  • GEX1015 Life, the Universe, and Everything (Philosophy Gateway) [See Note (f)]
  • GEX1014 Logic
  • PH3202, PH3203, PH3213 or PH3230
  • PH2XXX Elective
  • PH2XXX or PH3XXX Elective
  • PH3XXX or PH4XXX Elective
  • PS1101E Introduction to Politics (Political Science Gateway)
  • PS2XXX Elective (Sub-field 1)
  • PS2XXX Elective (Sub-field 2)
  • PS2XXX or PS3XXX Elective (free choice of subfield)
  • PS3257 Political Inquiry
  • PS3XXX or PS4XXX Elective (Sub-field 1)
  • EC1101E Introduction to Economic Analysis (Economics Gateway)
  • EC2101 Microeconomic Analysis
  • EC2104 Quantitative Analysis [See Note (c)]
  • EC2XXX or EC3XXX Elective
  • EC3XXX Elective
  • EC3XXX or EX4XXX Elective

Major (Interdisciplinary) Courses (28 units) [See Notes (a), (g)]

  • PE2101P Introduction to Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
  • PE3101P Decision Theory & Social Choice
  • PE4XXX/PE4XXXHM courses (20 units) [See Note (h)]

Note (a): A maximum of 10 units of PE-recognized/EC-recognized/PS-recognized/PH-recognized courses may be used to fulfil the requirements of Major courses (Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary). For undergraduate courses, the recognised course must be of the same level and discipline as the course it is replacing. No more than one PH-recognized/PS-recognized/EC-recognised course may be counted towards any PH/PS/EC 4000-level requirement.

Note (b): PPE XDP students must read at least one of the following courses: PS2249 Government and Politics of Singapore, PS2244 Public Administration in Singapore, and PS3249 Singapore’s Foreign Policy among the PS Electives.

Note (c): Students who have passed any MA course that is not MA1301 or MA1311 or MA1312 or MA1421 or any 2 units MA courses are allowed to read any level-2000 or level-3000 EC elective or EC-recognised course in lieu of EC2104.

Note (d): PPE-XDP students are not exempted from the General Education Singapore Studies requirement, even though they do not need to read HSS1000 under CHS Common Curriculum. PPE-XDP students belonging to another special program where they are exempted from any of the General Education or College of Humanities and Sciences common curriculum courses list here will inherit the same exemptions.

Note (e): PPE-XDP Students may use the Unrestricted Electives to enroll in minors and second majors. This includes the minor and  second major in Philosophy, Political Science, or Economics, but not the second degree. The prevailing maximum double counting rule (40% of the second major) applies.

Note (f): PPE-XDP students will double-count GEX1015 Life, the Universe, and Everything towards the NUS Critique and Expression General Education Pillar)

Note (g): In general, PPE-XDP students are not allowed to map the following courses on exchange without very special reasons: GEX1015, PE2101P, PS1101E, PS2244, PS2249, PS3249, PS3257, EC1101E, EC2104, EC2101, EC2102, EC2303, EC3101, EC3102, EC3303, EC3304, and all level-4000 Economics courses. In addition, up to one PE/PH/PS/EC 4000-level course may be mapped from a course read while on exchange, subject to the owning department’s approval. For more queries, please approach the relevant department admin (see Contact Information).

Note (h): PPE-XDP students who write the Honours Thesis for PPE will do so in any one of the three departments using the appropriate PE-coded course (PE4401P/S/E/HM) following the department of the main supervisor. They may also seek co-supervision from the other two departments if appropriate. The same applies to the Research Internship Project (PE4408P/PE4408S/PE4408E/HM), which is a Thesis equivalent. PPE-XDP students will be expected to work on thesis projects that approach their topic from more than one disciplinary angle, using the range of intellectual tools they have learned in the programme. Note that the PE coded Independent Study course and the Honours Thesis/Research Internship Project preclude each another.

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

Types of PPE-XDP Courses

PE-coded courses are courses specially created for the programme, with the offering department marked by the suffix (“P” for Philosophy, “S” for Political Science, and “E” for Economics”). Queries about specific courses are thus best addressed to the relevant owning departments.

PE/PH/PS/EC-recognized courses are courses that may be counted in lieu of a PE/PH/PS/EC coded course. Apart from the ones listed below, you can also check the websites for Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics, for their respective lists of courses recognized towards PH/PS/EC.

PE-Coded Courses

PE2101P Introduction to Philosophy, Politics, and Economics - This course will introduce students to PPE as a multidisciplinary endeavour, by showing them how social and political philosophy can be done in a way that is strongly informed by the findings of social science. The course will be organized around discussing a few specific issues – such as inequality, nudging, climate change, and the formation of the state. Analysing these issues will introduce students to the methods and results of philosophy, political science, and economics, and show how they could be integrated to better understand and tackle social and political phenomena.

PE3101P Decision Theory and Social Choice - This course is an introduction to decision and social choice theory. The first half introduces the theory of expected utility, according to which rational actions maximise the probability of desirable consequences. The second half introduces utilitarianism, according to which the right action is one which maximises the satisfaction of desire for the population at large. Both theories are controversial for their highly quantitative nature, their demanding conception of rationality and rightness, their insensitivity to risk and inequality, their prioritization of ends over means, and their tenuous relationship to actual human behaviour and morality. These controversies are discussed.

PE3551P/S/E FASS Undergraduate Research Opportunity (UROP) - A UROP involves the student working with a supervisor, possibly in a team, on an existing research project. It has relevance to the student’s Major, and involves the application of subject knowledge, methodology and theory in reflection upon the research project. UROPs usually take place within FASS or ARI, possibly with other external involve international partners. They may be proposed by the supervisor or student and require the vetting and approval of the relevant department, and will be assessed by the same. (Note: The course is available on an ad hoc basis given the existence of relevant research projects.)

PE4101P The Ethics and Politics of Nudging - Nudge policy uses people’s cognitive biases to steer them towards decisions that they would have made if they were rational. This course takes an in-depth look at nudge policy, and the ethical and political issues surrounding it. We first review nudge policy and the psychological theories underpinning it. We then tackle issues such as: whether governments can identify a citizen’s true/rational preferences and help citizens satisfy them, whether nudges are manipulative or paternalistic, whether nudges violate principles of publicity and transparency, and what public choice analysis could tell us about nudge policy.

PE4102P Welfare and Distribution - What makes a good life? This course aims to examine different theories of welfare (or wellbeing) as they appear in economics and philosophy, and related concerns pertaining to the distribution and measurement of the goods possessed by members of society. Topics covered might include: theories of wellbeing, cost-benefit analysis and its ethical assumptions, the value of equality, the ‘equality of what’ debate, the contrast between resources and capabilities, and the value of social equality.

PE4101E Political economy of money - This course studies money and its role in economic systems from a multidisciplinary perspective.  We examine 5,000 years of monetary development and trace the changes in the institutions of monetary governance and stability, both domestic and international. We examine the development of monetary economics and the interplay between theory and actual monetary arrangements. We then discuss contemporary philosophical and political debates surrounding the allocation and use of the powers of money creation and destruction, including digital currencies, quantitative easing, and “modern monetary theory”.

PE4103S Meritocracy - Meritocracy is a controversial ideal, both in Singapore and elsewhere. In this course, we trace meritocracy’s genealogy, conditions of possibility, and the debates it has generated. We will investigate meritocracy as an ideal that demands certain political and economic arrangements, and as a legitimation of existing distributions of power. We will ask whether meritocracy is the ideal we should follow—whether there are alternatives to meritocracy—and whether it legitimates extant inequalities. In pursuing these matters, we will incorporate political, philosophical, and economic controversies related to power, competition, equality, discrimination, freedom, and responsibility.

PE4401P/PE4401S/PE4401E Honours Thesis - This course requires students to conduct an independent research project on an approved topic at the intersection of Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics, under the supervision of a faculty member. The research project, which is intended to be multidisciplinary, engaging the intellectual tools and insights from the disciplines of Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics, will be submitted as an Honours Thesis. The maximum length of the thesis is 12,000 words. (Note: PPE students are to take the thesis course from their own specialization, i.e., “PE4401P” for students with the Philosophy specialization. This course precludes PE4660P/S/E.)

PE4408P/PE4408S/PE4408E Research Internship Project - This course requires PPE students to pursue a policy research internship with an external organization. Interested students must secure (i) a position in suitable organizations either full time in the vacation period or part time in a regular semester (ii) a workplace supervisor; and (iii) an academic supervisor. They will submit journal entries; reflection reports; a final research paper; and make an oral presentation. The course enables PPE students to apply their multidisciplinary academic learning to real world policy research while gaining work experience. This course precludes PE4401P/S/E and PE4660P/S/E.

PE4660P/PE4660S/PE4660E Independent Study - The Independent Study course is designed to enable the student to explore an approved topic at the intersection of Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics in depth. The student should approach a lecturer to identify a topic, readings, and assignments. A formal, written agreement is to be drawn up, giving a clear account of the topic, programme of study, assignments, evaluation, and other pertinent details. The ISM Coordinator's approval of the written agreement is required. Regular meetings and reports are expected. Evaluation is based on 100% Continuous Assessment and agreed between the student and the lecturer prior to seeking departmental approval. (Note: PPE students are to take the thesis course from their own specialization, i.e., “PE4660S” for students with the Political Science specialization. This course precludes PE4401P/S/E.)

Recognized Courses

Courses from LKYSPP

Counted towards either PH4XXX or PE4XXX requirement:

  • PP5239 Understanding and Managing Corruption
  • PP5156 Moral Reasoning in the Policy Process

Counted towards PS4XXX (the relevant PS subfield is indicated) or PE4XXX requirement:

  • PP5222 Population, Health and Social Policy (GPP)
  • PP5298 Singapore’s Development Experience (GPP)
  • PP5137 Public Management and Organisational Behaviour (GPP)
  • PP5151 Comparative Case Study Method (CP)
  • PP5169 Global Food Security (IR or CP)
  • PP5174 International Politics: The Rules of the Game (IR)
  • PP5176 China and the Global Economy (CP)
  • PP5291 Security in Asia-Pacific (IR)

(Note: GPP = Governance and Public Policy; CP= Comparative Politics; IR = International Relations.)

Counted towards EC4XXX or PE4XXX requirement:

  • PP5136 Applied Public Sector Economics
  • PP5141 The Global Financial Crisis-Policy Implications in Asia
  • PP5203 Behavioral Economics and Public Policy
  • PP5247 International Economic Policy

PPE students seeking to use the above courses will need to secure enrolment on their own and subject to the availability of spaces at the LKYSPP.

Courses from Political Science

Counted towards PE4XXX requirement:

  • PS4237/PS4237HM Capitalism and Political Theory
  • PS4219/PS4219HM Comparative Political Thought (from Cohort 2019 onwards, with effect from Semester 2, AY2022-23)
  • PS4313/PH4313HM Seminar in Comparative Political Economy (from Cohort 2019 onwards, with effect from Semester 2, AY2022-23)
  • PS4881D/PS4881DHM Money and Politics

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

PPE Club

The PPE Club is an academic interest group representing NUS PPE and PPE-XDP students. It was founded with one primary goal in mind: To serve the interests of and create a community for all NUS students studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. As NUS’s point of convergence for all things PPE, we strive to foster communication within our major, organise get-togethers to bond our community and events which arm our majors to better achieve their goals. You can follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nus.ppeclub/.

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

Contact Information

Administrative Enquiries:

  • Mr Ryan Tan (General PPE)
    Email: ryan.tan@nus.edu.sg Tel: +65 6516 3896

  • Ms Melina Loo (Philosophy)
    Email: philsjm@nus.edu.sg Tel: +65 6516 3892

  • Mr Wesley Ngoi (Political Science)
    Email: polnyjw@nus.edu.sg Tel: +65 6601 7964

  • Ms Ceresah Wong (Economics)
    Email: ceresah@nus.edu.sg Tel: +65 6516 7124

Joint Programme Committee:

  • A/P Loy Hui Chieh (Philosophy)
    Email: loyhc@nus.edu.sg

  • Dr Joel Chow Ken Q (Philosophy)
    Email: joelchow@nus.edu.sg

  • A/P Luke O’Sullivan (Political Science)
    Email: polldo@nus.edu.sg)

  • Dr Dunya Deniz Cakir (Political Science)
    Email: polldd@nus.edu.sg)

  • Dr Naila Maya Shofia (Economics)
    Email: naila.shofia@nus.edu.sg

Other Points of Contact: