Topics and Objectives

In recent years, political, economic, and social interconnections at both regional and global levels have increased rapidly. This growing complexity poses new and significant challenges for academia. To conduct forward-looking research and provide high-quality education, analytical, descriptive, and normative methods and insights from philosophy, political science, and economics must be brought together. The aim is to train future decision-makers and problem-solvers in all three disciplines from the very beginning of their studies, while fostering interdisciplinary thinking and working skills.

Thanks to the programme’s distinctive modular structure, which is unique in Switzerland, students in this bachelor’s degree programme acquire:

• solid subject-specific knowledge in the three disciplines of philosophy, political science, and economics, with the opportunity to specialise in one field
• the ability to think and work interdisciplinarily
• the ability to analyse, assess, and solve complex issues and problems from multiple perspectives

Study Planning and Course Progression

The Bachelor’s degree programme is structured into an assessment phase followed by a main phase. The assessment phase provides an introduction to the programme’s methodological and subject-specific foundations. Upon completion of the assessment phase, an academic guidance meeting is held to discuss the student’s suitability for the programme and to support further study planning.

An overview of the programme structure is provided by the study plans (currently available in German only).

• Studienablaufplan Vollzeit Schwerpunkt Philosophie
• Studienablaufplan Vollzeit Schwerpunkt Politikwissenschaft
• Studienablaufplan Vollzeit Schwerpunkt Ökonomie
• Studienablaufplan Teilzeit Schwerpunkt Philosophie
• Studienablaufplan Teilzeit Schwerpunkt Politikwissenschaft
• Studienablaufplan Teilzeit Schwerpunkt Ökonomie

All current courses (asseessment phase and main phase) can be found in the Vorlesungsverzeichnis and on the UniPortal.

The courses recommended for students in the assessment phase in the Spring Semester 2026 are listed in the Stundenplanübersicht.

If you have any questions concerning study planning, please feel free to contact the programme manager and academic adviser, Dr Lynn Alena Roth.

As part of the degree programme, students have the opportunity to complete a study period at another university in Switzerland or abroad. Important information on exchange programmes and application deadlines can be found under Mobility programmes.

Mobility Advice

Students who are interested in, or wish to apply for, a study period at another university are asked to contact the mobility adviser for their degree programme. The contact person for Philosophy, Politics and Economics is:

Dr. Lynn Roth, Programme Manager and Academic Adviser
Universität Luzern
Frohburgstrasse 3 / Raum 3.A53
Postfach
6002 Luzern

info-ppe@unilu.ch
Consultations by appointment

The PPE degree programme opens up a wide range of career opportunities in the private sector, including advisory and managerial positions in companies, as well as roles in consultancy, advertising, journalism and publishing, politics and public administration, non-governmental organisations, and international institutions.
 

Skills

The PPE degree programme not only provides solid subject-specific knowledge but also develops key transferable skills that are applicable across a wide range of professional contexts: 

• Interdisciplinary Thinking
  The ability to recognise complex interrelationships, integrate different perspectives, and develop interdisciplinary solutions.
• Analytical Skills
  The capacity to critically assess data and arguments, conduct systematic analyses, and make well-founded decisions.
• Sense of Responsibility and Commitment to Shaping Society
  An understanding of political, economic, and social structures, enabling sustainable decision-making and ethical responsibility.
• Communication and Mediation Skills
  The ability to present complex issues clearly, communicate effectively with different audiences, and collaborate across disciplines.
• Social and Intercultural Competence
  The ability to work effectively in teams, negotiate confidently, and communicate successfully in culturally diverse contexts.

Career Prospects

Studying PPE at the University of Lucerne fosters not only academic expertise but also strategic thinking, ethical judgement, and interdisciplinary analytical skills, qualifications that are highly valued in today’s labour market.

Ein Studium in PPE an der Universität Luzern vermittelt nicht nur fachliche Kenntnisse, sondern fördert auch strategisches Denken, ethisches Urteilsvermögen und interdisziplinäre Analysefähigkeiten – Qualifikationen, die in der heutigen Arbeitswelt stark gefragt sind.

Graduates of PPE work in a wide variety of fields, including:

• Politics and Public Administration
  For example in ministries, cantonal authorities, international organisations, or consultancy roles.
• Management Consulting and Business
  For example in strategic consulting, market analysis, sustainability management, or innovation development.
• Media and Communication
  For example in editorial offices, press and communications departments, think tanks, or communications agencies.
• Non-Governmental Organisations and International Institutions
  For example in project coordination, development cooperation, research support, or specialist roles.
• Education and Research
  For example as research assistants, lecturers, project managers in the education sector, or through an academic career path.

Further Resources and Job Portals

Additional career resources include:

• JobbrsePolitikwissenschaftlerInnen_2020_ger.pdf -->(comprehensive overview including opportunities for graduates in philosophy and economics)
• Alle Studenten- und Absolventenjobs der Schweiz! - semestra.ch
• Medienjobs - Stellenmarkt für Kommunikation, Marketing & Medien
• Stellenbörse | Studienangebot Kulturmanagement | Universität Basel

Further Study

Pursuing a Master’s degree opens up additional career opportunities, depending on the chosen field of study.

With a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, graduates may apply for the following Master’s degree programmes at the University of Lucerne:

• PPE-Masterstudiengang
• Subject-specific Master’s degree programmes in Philosophie or Politikwissenschaft (for students with a major in one of these subjects), with the option of subsequent doctoral studies
• For students with a major in Economics:
• the integrated degree programme in  Politische Ökonomie (until Spring Semester 2019), or the Master’s degree programme in Wirtschaftswissenschaften (from Autumn Semester 2019), subject to additional requirements
• Subject-specific Master’s degree programmes with a minor at Master’s level, provided that at least 60 credits have been earned in the relevant subject and no Bachelor’s thesis in that subject is required (additional requirements apply for Wirtschaftswissenschaften from Autumn Semester 2019)
• Master’s degree programme in Kulturwissenschaften with a major in Philosophy or Political Science, subject to completion of 60 credits in the relevant discipline
• Other Master’s degree programmes offered by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, subject to individual assessment

Additional options depending on the chosen major:

With a major in Politics:

• Master's degree in Gesellschafts- und Kommunikationswissenschaften
• Master's degree in Global Studies
• Master's degree in Religion – Wirtschaft – Politik

With a major in economics additionally:

• Master's degree in Religion – Wirtschaft – Politik

Admission to PPE Master’s programmes or subject-specific Master’s programmes at other universities depends on the respective admission requirements of the institutions concerned.

 

Anmeldung

The degree programme may be commenced in either the Autumn Semester or the Spring Semester.

Application deadline for the Autumn Semester: 30 April

Application deadline for the Spring Semester: 30 November

Applications submitted after the official deadlines are still possible: for the Spring Semester until 31 January, and for the Autumn Semester until 31 August. In such cases, a processing fee will be charged. Further information is available on the website for Anmeldung und Zulassung. 

Applications are submitted online via the UniPortal. The system will guide you step by step through the application process. Following submission, admission is assessed on the basis of the required documents.

Admission

Admission to the Bachelor’s degree programme is governed by the admission regulations of the University of Lucerne. Detailed information can be found under Anmeldung und Zulassung.

Transition from the Bachelor’s to the Master’s Degree Programme

For Bachelor’s graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the following regulation applies with regard to progression to a Master’s degree programme or exmatriculation: upon receipt of the Bachelor’s degree certificate, students are required either to enrol in a Master’s degree programme at the faculty or to exmatriculate. Registration for a Master’s degree programme is carried out by email directly with the Student Services Office, while exmatriculation must be completed via the UniPortal.

Model Study Plans, Study and Examination Regulations, Guidelines

The model study plan for the integrated Bachelor’s degree programme in Philosophy, Politics and Economics is a recommended study structure based on the current aktuellen Studien- und Prüfungsordnung and the corresponding Wegleitung.

• Musterstudienplan Schwerpunkt Philosophie (for students commencing from AS 2022)
• Musterstudienplan Schwerpunkt Politikwissenschaft (for students commencing from AS 2022)
• Musterstudienplan Schwerpunkt Ökonomie (for students commencing from AS 2022)
• Musterstudienplan PPE (for students commencing from AS 2017)
• Musterstudienplan PPE (for students commencing from AS 2016)
• Musterstudienplan PPE (for students commencing from 2013)

Orientation Interview, Social Credits, Recognition of Academic Achievements

Further documents required during your studies include: 

• Anmeldung und Weisungen zum Orientierungsgespräch
• Social Credits (Übersicht plus Weisungen)
• Stundenblatt für Social Credits
• Antrag auf Anrechnung von Studienleistungen

Bachelor’s Degree Completion (Bachelor’s Thesis and Bachelor’s Examinations)

The Bachelor’s degree programme is completed with a Bachelor’s thesis and Bachelor’s examinations. The Bachelor’s examinations do not constitute a defence of the Bachelor’s thesis but are independent examinations covering defined subject areas. All relevant information can be found on the page Abschlussverfahren. Students with a major in Economics are also asked to consult the Leitfaden zum Verfassen von Bachelor- und Masterarbeiten – Für PPE-Studierende mit Schwerpunkt Ökonomie and the Vorlage für das Titelblatt. 

Please ensure that you contact potential examiners and/or reviewers at an early stage (approximately three months before the registration deadline).

All Regulations, Information Sheets, and Forms

All regulations (including earlier versions) of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, as well as programme guidelines, degree completion regulations, information sheets, and forms, are available on Reglemente-Seite der Fakultät.

Individual Course Taster Sessions

Are you interested in pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and would like to gain a clearer impression of the programme? Would you like to see first-hand how a course is conducted? We warmly invite you to attend a course from the current Lehrveranstaltungsangebot as a guest, free of charge and without obligation. Experience everyday student life at first hand, engage in conversation with students and lecturers, and find out whether studying with us is the right choice for you.
 

To arrange a visit, simply contact the Programme Manager, Dr Lynn Roth. She will be happy to recommend suitable courses and dates from the current course catalogue. We look forward to welcoming you!

Dr Lynn Roth
Programme Manager, Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)
Room 3.A53 • info-ppe@unilu.ch
Consultation by appointment

Buddy-Programm
Would you like more personal exchange and closer support during your taster visit? Through the Buddy-Programm , you will not only gain insights into our courses but also experience everyday student life together with a buddy. Our buddies are current students who offer insight into the programme, answer your questions, and provide valuable insider tips on choosing a degree programme, starting your studies, and student life in general.

Academic Advising for PPE

Prospective students as well as enrolled students can obtain advice here on all matters relating to the study of Philosophy, Politics and Economics.

Dr Lynn Alena Roth
Universität Luzern
Frohburgstrasse 3 / Raum 3.A53
6002 Luzern
T +41 41 229 56 48
info-ppe@unilu.ch
Monday & Tuesday: all day
Thursday: afternoons (home office)
Consultations by appointment

Student Advisory Service of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

The general student advisory service of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences supports prospective students in choosing a degree programme and advises current students on general matters relating to their studies and study planning, including mobility, military service, social credits, and admission-related questions.

Universität Luzern, Frohburgstrasse 3, Raum 3.A39
lic. phil. Rahel Lörtscher und
Sabrina Sakac, MSc
T +41 41 229 55 13/15
studienberatung-ksf@unilu.ch

General Contact Information for the PPE Degree Programme

Head of the Degree Programme:
PD Dr. Federica Gregoratto
Philosophisches Seminar
Frohburgstrasse 3
6002 Luzern
federica.gregoratto@unilu.ch

Websites der Fachbereiche

The following websites provide information on staff members, research areas, and activities of the participating departments.

Philosophy (KSF): www.unilu.ch/philsem

Politics (KSF): www.unilu.ch/polsem

Economics (WF): www.unilu.ch/wirtschaft