PPES is the only degree in Ireland that combines Philosophy, Political Science, Economics and Sociology under one programme. Students begin with a broad foundation across all four disciplines before choosing how to specialise. It is a genuinely flexible degree, built for students who want to understand not just how the world works, but why.
A programme built around choice
Most degrees ask you to choose your path before you fully understand your options. PPES is different. In your first year, you study all four disciplines, Philosophy, Political Science, Economics and Sociology, giving you the time and experience to make an informed decision about where your interests and strengths lie. From second year onwards, you begin to specialise, with the flexibility to adjust your focus as your thinking develops.
By the time you graduate, you will hold a B.A. Moderatorship in Philosophy, Political Science, Economics and Sociology, one of a range of degree combinations spanning Single Honours, Joint Honours, and Major with Minor pathways.
What you will study
The four disciplines at the heart of PPES are taught by internationally recognised academics within the School of Social Sciences and Philosophy. Each brings a distinct set of tools for understanding the world: Philosophy trains you to question assumptions and think with precision; Political Science examines how power is organised and exercised; Economics analyses how wealth is created and distributed; and Sociology investigates how societies are structured and how they change.
Studied together, they offer something no single discipline can: a genuinely multidisciplinary education, grounded in the conviction that the most important questions about our world require more than one framework to answer.
Where PPES can take you
PPES graduates are highly sought after across a wide range of fields, including management, journalism, international affairs, public policy and public service. The analytical, research and communication skills developed across four years of multidisciplinary study are valued by employers across the public and private sectors, and many graduates go on to postgraduate study at leading universities in Ireland and abroad.
Is PPES for me?
PPES will appeal to students who are curious about how societies are organised, governed and understood, and who want a degree that draws on philosophy as well as the social sciences to explore those questions. If you are interested in ideas, engaged by public affairs, and want a programme that keeps your options open without sacrificing intellectual depth, PPES is worth serious consideration.
Pathway Information
Not sure which degree combination is right for you? This video walks you through the options and how the pathway selection process works.
How to apply
PPES is a four-year undergraduate degree programme at Trinity College Dublin, offered through the CAO (code TR015). Entry requirements and points information, including details for mature and international applicants, are available on the Trinity admissions website.
Key documents
Get in touch
The PPES course office is your first point of contact for questions about the programme, from module registration and pathway selection to exam arrangements and transcripts. The team is always happy to help.
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