Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Vienna, Austria
DURATION
3 up to 4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
EUR 7,000 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* final deadline for applicants who have citizenship or permanent residency in an EU/EEA country or require a student residence permit but do not require a tourist visa to enter Austria
** payable in one or two installments, non-refundable initial tuition fee installment (€500 EUR) is paid to confirm your acceptance of our offer of admission and is credited towards the 1st tuition fee installment in year 1
Introduction
In CEU’s bachelor’s degree program in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, you will study with peers from around the world, address some of the key questions for humanity today from several perspectives, learn to present your ideas and knowledge effectively and prepare for exciting careers, all in beautiful Vienna.
Why choose the CEU PPE bachelor’s degree?
Because you will:
- Earn an American and Austrian Bachelor's Degree in Four Years
- Enjoy the American College-style Undergraduate Experience, in Europe
- Learn From World-class Faculty in One of Europe’s Top Research Universities
- Live in Vienna, the World’s Most Livable City
- Study in Another Country via Study Abroad in Year 3
- Benefit From a Private University Education at a Reasonable Cost
What will you learn in CEU’s bachelor’s degree program in PPE?
You will be able to:
- Think Critically About Different Political and Social Structures
- Address Fundamental Questions About Reality and Our Place in It
- Learn to Do Both Quantitative and Qualitative Research
- Examine Complex Concepts, Arguments, and World Views
- Present Your Analysis and Ideas in a Variety of Ways
You’ll be challenged to think critically and creatively about the complex social, political, and economic developments of our time. You’ll delve into some of the big questions about society and the world around us, gaining a variety of perspectives, solid knowledge, and analytical tools to come up with your answers. We’ve tailored the program so that you will gain a solid foundation in all three disciplines, then use that to address issues that interest you most and emerge with analytical skills and multifaceted knowledge that you can put to use in the real world. So if you want to:
- Challenge Yourself in the Classroom and Beyond
- Become an Active Member of a Global Intercultural Community
- Tackle the World’s Biggest Problems
- Make a Difference Using Your Knowledge and Ideas
- Present Your Analysis Effectively in Writing and Speaking
- Open a World of Career Options
How does the CEU Philosophy, Politics, and Economics bachelor’s degree program work?
In the Philosophy, Politics, and Economics bachelor’s degree program, you’ll explore how society works from the viewpoint of ancient and modern philosophy, political theory and structures, and economic principles and functioning. As you learn to analyze an issue or an event from all these angles, you’ll also learn to communicate your newfound knowledge effectively and have the opportunity to expand and use your knowledge outside the classroom. You’ll enjoy:
- Small Class Sizes, With a Student-to-faculty Ratio of 7:1
- Discussion-based Seminars Where You’ll Participate and Contribute Your Analysis
- Individual Attention From Leading Professors and Researchers
- A Community of Faculty and Students From More Than 100 Countries
- Courses With All Your Classmates in the First Year, Then Increased Focus and Course Choice as You Progress Within the program
- An Individual Thesis in Year 3 and a Capstone Project in Year 4
- Option to Take Courses With Master's Students in Year 4
- Personal Supervision by a Professor for Your Final Capstone Project
At the end of four years, you’ll have an Austrian and an American bachelor’s degree (BA).
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
CEU enjoys the support of generous donors, including our alumni, who support talented students with scholarships and awards. Here you’ll find information about these opportunities and how to apply.
- Partial Tuition Award
- Presidential Scholar Award
- External financial support and scholarship opportunities
Partial Tuition Award
A small number of Partial Tuition Awards is available for outstanding applicants to the BA/BSc in Data Science and Society, BA in Culture, Politics and Society, and BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics programs.
Details
This is a merit-based award, which may fund up to 50% of the tuition fee (up to €3,500 per academic year).
Application
Applicants who want to be considered for this award must apply by February 1, 2024.
Presidential Scholar Award
Two outstanding candidates will receive a Presidential Scholar Award with a total value of €5,000 each. The Presidential Scholars Fund was established by CEU President and Rector Michael Ignatieff and his wife Zsuzsanna Zsohar to support students who demonstrate exceptional academic credentials and leadership promise.
Details
The Award covers part of the tuition fee throughout the four years of BA studies as follows:
- Year 1: €500
- Year 2: €1,000
- Year 3: €1,500
- Year 4: €2,000
Application
All applications submitted by February 1, 2024, will be automatically considered for this award. There is no need to submit a separate application or indicate your interest in this award in the CEU Application Form ('Funding' section) by visiting the university's website.
External Financial Support Opportunities
You can find information about some of the opportunities from governments and other funders on the university's website. Please note that this list is by no means comprehensive. Be sure to check the eligibility requirements before applying.
Curriculum
CEU’s undergraduate degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics is for you. In your first year, you’ll take a mandatory set of courses with all your classmates, where you’ll gain a foundation in the three disciplines. In the second year, you will select two of the three subjects as your focus. In the third and fourth year, you add electives in your selected two subjects and further courses from other programs and areas, including:
- Environmental Science
- Gender Studies
- Cultural Heritage
- Human Rights
- International Relations
- History
- Nationalism Studies
- Sociology and Social Anthropology
- Visual Theory and Practice
Program Outcome
What can you do with a Bachelor’s degree in PPE?
With an American and Austrian bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, you’ll have acquired vital skills to approach an issue you’re passionate about. You’ll know how to collect valuable information, analyze and synthesize it all, produce your own theory, generate your own solution, and communicate it in multimedia form to any audience. Transferable skills:
- Critical Thinking and Reasoning
- Grasping Complex Information
- Understanding Unfamiliar Views of Reality and Other Points of View
- Quantitative and Qualitative Methods
- Analytical Skills
- Research Skills
- Communication Skills (Writing, Presentation, Public Speaking)
These skills open many doors, from graduate study at CEU or another university to career options in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. CEU’s Career Services Office staff will guide you in finding the right door for you to open.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
The CEU bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics gives you a multidisciplinary foundation that supports many exciting career paths. Your deeply honed thinking skills, required to tackle many social and economic issues, will be in high demand. You’ll be ready to continue your studies in graduate school or start a career in media or business, government or non-profits, startups, or multinationals. Here are some examples. Pursue a master’s or Ph.D. degree at CEU or other leading universities in subjects such as:
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Economics
- International Relations
- Public Policy
- Sociology
- Business
Pursue a career at:
- Banks and Fintech Companies
- Government and Policymaking Bodies
- Universities and Think Tanks
- Startups and Incubators
- Large Companies and Multinationals
- Media and Communications Companies
- International Organizations
- Non-profit and Non-governmental Organizations
- Law, Education, Health Care Sectors
For example, after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, you could work at the World Bank, where you’d be able to:
- Contribute to the Preparation of Economic Policy Papers, Policy Notes, and Reports
- See Your Work Within the Organization’s Broader Strategic Framework
- Prepare Periodic Economic Updates and Briefs
- Support Dialogue on Policy Reform With Government and Development Partners
- Present Your Work via Written Reports, Big Data Presentations, Website Development, and Visual Media Campaigns
- Convey Your Work Effectively and Confidently in Multimedia Presentations to Colleagues, Government Officials, and the public
- Organize Events for Stakeholders and the Public
- Show Leadership in Team and Group Projects
Program Admission Requirements
Show your commitment and readiness for Grad school by taking the GRE - the most broadly accepted exam for graduate programs internationally.