PPE (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics) Summer School
How should societies organise power? What makes a political system fair? Why can confidence in banks, governments, or elections collapse so quickly? The PPE Summer School explores these questions by bringing together ideas from Philosophy, Politics and Economics.
These subjects are concerned with some of the most important questions in public life: how decisions should be made, how resources should be distributed, how rights should be protected, and what justice requires. This course introduces students to these debates through a mixture of political analysis, philosophical argument, economic case studies, and practical simulations.
Students begin by examining how institutions are designed, asking how constitutions, electoral systems, rights protections, and forms of government can help societies manage conflict and division. They then turn to economics, exploring banks, credit, central banks, and the fragile role of confidence in modern economies, before taking part in a banking crisis simulation.
The course also introduces major thinkers and ideas in political philosophy, including F. A. Hayek on liberty, G. A. Cohen on freedom and money, John Rawls on justice and fairness, and Plato’s Republic on power, truth, and the ideal state. Students will consider how different answers to philosophical questions can lead to very different political and economic conclusions.
If you would like to see exactly how the course unfolds across the week, you can read a detailed outline of the in-person PPE Summer School programme.
Across the week, students will take part in small-group seminars, structured discussions, close analysis of philosophical extracts, constitutional design exercises, and crisis simulations. These activities are designed to give students a sense of how PPE-style questions are explored at university level, while helping them develop confidence in argument, analysis, and decision-making.
The course is ideal for students considering degrees in Politics, Philosophy, Economics, International Relations, Public Policy, or related fields. No specific prior knowledge is required, but the course is best suited to intellectually ambitious students who enjoy discussion, debate, and complex ideas.
Small class sizes ensure lively discussion, in-depth debate, and individual support from tutors. Students will also have the chance to meet like-minded peers who share their interest in politics, philosophy, economics, and public affairs.
The tutors for this course are selected for their strong academic record, communication skills, and ability to create engaging classroom environments. They will challenge students to think carefully, test their assumptions, and apply ideas to real-world problems.
For currently available dates, full practical details, and a link to the booking form please scroll down.
Philosophy, Politics, and Economics is a classic combination because the three subjects ask different but deeply connected questions about public life. Economics can help explain how incentives, markets, credit, and resources shape what governments can do. Politics examines how power is organised, how decisions are made, and how institutions gain or lose legitimacy. Philosophy asks what those decisions are ultimately for – what we mean by justice, liberty, equality, rights, and the good society.
Studied together, these disciplines help students move beyond simple answers. A policy might be economically efficient but politically unstable; democratically popular but morally troubling; philosophically attractive but difficult to implement in practice. The PPE Summer School gives students the chance to explore these tensions directly, through seminars, close discussion of major thinkers, institutional design exercises, and crisis simulations.
Practical Details
The in-person Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Summer School is open to students aged 15–18, and will take place on Mon 20th – Fri 24th July (limited availability) and repeated on the 3rd – 7th August (fully booked – join the waiting list).
📍 Location: The course will be held at Woburn House, Bloomsbury, Central London (nearest tube: Russell Square). See more venue details here. Please note: this is a non-residential course, so accommodation must be arranged independently if needed.
⏰ Teaching Hours: The in-person course runs for five days, with teaching hours from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm each day.
💰 Course Fee: £845
🔒 Booking: Secure your place with a 25% non-refundable deposit. The remaining balance is due eight weeks before the course starts. [See full booking terms and conditions here.]
📞 Questions? Call us on 0800 810 1058 or email [email protected].
Debate Chamber offers a limited number of full and partial bursaries to students who could not otherwise afford to attend. If you would like to apply for a bursary then please complete your bursary application form here.