Philosophy, Politics & Economics (BSc)

Program Overview

PPE provides a broad and deep understanding of how a society works, and indeed how international society works. It examines the complex economic and political forces in play, the problems of measuring and assessing the health of society, and the principles of justice that should guide political decision-making to improve society. PPE will teach students how to read beyond media headlines, and where to find more information about the hot policy questions of the day, in national and international contexts. How competitive: applicants from the EU apply through the CAO and are ranked on points. In round 1 of 2026, places went to applicants with 498 points or more. UCD does not publish how it scores the IB. On Trinity College Dublin's indicative scale for the IB, that is about 37 points, or about 35 with Higher Level Mathematics at 4 or better, which adds 25. Applicants from outside the EU apply to UCD directly, where 29 points makes them eligible to compete for a place.