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Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management
Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) Specialising in PPE gives you an understanding of political, philosophical, and economic ideas; the nature of political institutions; political processes and decision-making; how economic systems work; the causes of poverty and wealth; and how to promote development.
Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) Specialising in PPE gives you an understanding of political, philosophical, and economic ideas; the nature of political institutions; political processes and decision-making; how economic systems work; the causes of poverty and wealth; and how to promote development.

Qualification: BCom

Faculty: Commerce, Law and Management

Duration: 3 years

School: Across all schools

Study mode: Full-time

Overview

Programme Code: CBA12

The Politics, Philosophy and Economics BCom(PPE) specialisation gives you a broad and deep understanding of the world, as well as a wide range of thinking skills required for high-level engagement.

In the first year, you will take economics, politics, and philosophy, as well as a selection of general BCom first-year subjects.

From second to third year level, you will continue to major in economics and either politics or philosophy.

You can also choose to do a BA (PPE) or to take politics or philosophy as part of a general BCom degree.

  • Academia
  • Civil Service
  • Development
  • Diplomatic Corps
  • Economics
  • International Banking or Finance
  • Journalism
  • Politics
  • Research

First-year

  • Economic Theory IA (Microeconomics for Economists)
  • Economic Theory IB (Macroeconomic for Economists)
  • Introduction to Ethics
  • Introduction to Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality I
  • Introduction to Political Studies I
  • States, Power and Governance
  • Computational Mathematics I
  • Business Statistics I

Second-year

  • Economics IIA and IIB
  • A student must choose between Politics II and Philosophy II
  • History of Philosophy: A Classical and Early Modern Philosophy

AND, one of the following:

  • Philosophy of Mind and Psychology II
  • Philosophy of Religion II
  • Philosophy of Science II
  • Social and Political Philosophy II
  • Theories of Justice II
  • Continental Philosophy II
  • African Philosophy

OR, two of the following:

  • Social Theories of Modernity
  • South Africa: Politics and Governance
  • Black Consciousness Thought and the Politics of Anti-Racism

A total of 48 credits must be taken from:

  • Corporate Finance II
  • Investment II
  • Principles of Management IIA
  • Principles of Management IIB (Entrepreneurships)
  • Insurance and Risk Management IIA
  • Insurance and Risk Management IIB
  • Human Resources IIA
  • Human Resources IIB (Labour Relations)
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Principles of Marketing IIA
  • Integrated Marketing Communications
  • Retail Management

Third-year

  • Economic Science III

OR

  • Economic Theory III

OR

  • Applied Development Economics III

A total of 72 credits must be selected from either Politics III or Philosophy III, depending on what was taken in the second year of study

AND

  • Epistemology and Metaphysics III
  • Ethics III
  • History of Philosophy B: Further Topics in Modern Philosophy III
  • Philosophy of Social Science
  • Select Movements in 20th Century
  • Philosophy III
  • A selected topic in Philosophy III
  • Senior seminar in Philosophy
  • Philosophy of Language III
  • Symbolic Logic III
  • Philosophy of Art

OR

  • Development: Concepts and Experiences
  • Liberty, Justice and the Politics of Difference
  • Conflict and Stability in Postcolonial Africa
  • Selected topics in Political Studies
  • Introduction to Comparative Politics
  • Politics for Public Service
  • Post-Colonial Politics

APS 38+
English Home Language OR First Additional Language Level 5
Mathematics Level 5

Wait-listing

Applicants with an APS of 35-37, as well as English Level 5 and Mathematics Level 5, will be wait-listed subject to place availability.

Application Closing Date: 30 September 2023 | Residence Applications: 30 September 2023

  • The Student Enrolment Centre at Wits handles all student applications.
  • Please click here for an overview of the application process. 
  • Check the admission requirements for your degree. Check if any additional selection requirements apply. 
  • Submit your application, required documentation and application fee before the closing date.
  • Once you have applied, an admissions consultant will be assigned to your application.
  • Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
  • If you are an international applicant and/or have a foreign qualification, please click here.

Compliance with the minimum requirements does not guarantee a place at the University. The University has a specific number of places for first year undergraduates, approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

Click here to see the current average tuition fees for the first year of study. The Fees website also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal. 

The Financial aid office provides information on student funding and scholarships. University-funded Scholarships include Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships, University Entrance Scholarships, Equality Scholarships, Sports Scholarships and National Olympiad winner awards. For information about NSFAS funding, please visit the NSFAS website. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.

Wits Plus applicants: terms of payment are in accordance with University regulations, and students are not eligible for University bursaries/NSFAS or residential accommodation.