Addressing Complex Challenges

Developing effective solutions requires more than relying solely on economic incentives, such as making emissions permits tradable. Such approaches inevitably raise questions of justice and fairness. Other considerations must also be taken into account: some countries have emitted significantly more CO₂ than others over decades, should they therefore bear a greater share of the burden? What measures do we expect from policymakers? And are we, as societies, prepared to accept a potential reduction in our standard of living?

The PPE Master’s programme addresses these pressing questions by seeking answers from different disciplinary perspectives. Only through such an interdisciplinary approach can the complexity of contemporary challenges be adequately addressed—whether the issue at hand is climate change, direct democracy, populism, or global migration movements. PPE demonstrates that analyses without data are empty, while data without analysis remain blind.

All current courses offered in the PPE Master’s degree programme can be found in the Vorlesungsverzeichnis and via the UniPortal.

Scope and Duration

The Master’s degree programme in Philosophy, Politics and Economics comprises 120 credit points (Cr) in accordance with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). One credit corresponds to an average student workload of 25 to 30 hours. The standard period of study is four semesters (two years). Part-time study is possible.

The Master’s degree programme in Philosophy, Politics and Economics consists of the following modules:

• Introductory Module: Foundations and Methods in PPE (25 Cr)
• Advanced Module (65 Cr)
  • Musterstudienplan Vertiefungsmodul: Schwerpunkt Ökonomie
  • Musterstudienplan Vertiefungsmodul: Schwerpunkt Philosophie
  • Musterstudienplan Vertiefungsmodul: Schwerpunkt Politikwissenschaft 
• Master's Degree Completion (30 Cr)

At Master’s level, the Introductory Module provides an introduction to the methods and theories of philosophy, political science, and economics. In addition, the foundation seminar places the content of the three disciplines in relation to one another.

In the Advanced Module, students study two of the three PPE disciplines and select one of them as their major. This module focuses on developing multi-perspective thinking as well as on the deepening and specialisation of subject-specific knowledge. Finally, the Master’s thesis is written and defended in one of the disciplines.

Philosophy

What is knowledge and what is power—and how are they related? What is society, and how do social entities such as money, institutions, or norms exist? What do justice and autonomy mean, and under what conditions can they be claimed? Philosophy questions what appears self-evident. It takes a comprehensive view of reality, reflects on the role of the sciences in our lives, clarifies concepts, analyses arguments, critiques social practices, and diagnoses contemporary culture. During their studies, students acquire the ability to read, write, and think critically and conceptually.

Politics

How democratic and stable are political institutions and systems? By what means do political actors such as parties and movements seek power? How can cross-border and global problems be addressed effectively and democratically? What impact do modern information and communication technologies have on political systems? The programme equips students with the theories and methods used to analyse political processes, institutions, and actors. The targeted acquisition of analytical and practical knowledge prepares students both for academic research and for practice-oriented engagement with politics.

Economics

Do minimum wages lead to higher unemployment? How much debt can a state sustain? What can development institutions such as the World Bank do to promote growth in poorer countries? During their studies, students learn how such questions can be analysed and answered using economic theory and empirical methods. They examine how societies deal with scarce resources and learn to understand human behaviour in markets and other social contexts. The programme develops analytical skills with a wide range of applications in professional life.

The course offerings of the PPE Master’s degree programme are predominantly taught in German; however, courses taught in English are also available. A prerequisite for admission is proof of sufficient proficiency in German. In addition, good knowledge of English is recommended, as a substantial proportion of the academic literature is published in English.

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 Mobilität.

Mobility Advice

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

Dr Lynn Roth, Programme Manager
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

Model Study Plans, Study and Examination Regulations, Guidelines

Please note that different model study plans apply as guidance for students with different majors:

• Musterstudienplan Vertiefungsmodul: Schwerpunkt Ökonomie
• Musterstudienplan Vertiefungsmodul: Schwerpunkt Philosophie
• Musterstudienplan Vertiefungsmodul: Schwerpunkt Politikwissenschaft 

The model study plans for the integrated Master’s degree programme in Philosophy, Politics and Economics are recommended study structures based on:

•  aktuellen Studien- und Prüfungsordnung and the corresponding guidelines:
• Wegleitung KSF MA 
• Wegleitung zum Schwerpunkt Ökonomie

For students who commenced their studies before Autumn Semester 2020 only.

• Musterstudienplan PPE MA ab 2018
• Wegleitung PPE MA ab 2018

Social Credits and Recognition of Academic Achievements

Further documents required during your studies include: 

• Social Credits (Übersicht plus Weisungen)
• Stundenblatt für Social Credits
• Antrag auf Anrechnung von Studienleistungen

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

For students who commenced their studies before Autumn Semester 2020 only.

The Master’s degree programme is completed with a Master’s thesis and the Master’s examinations. All relevant information can be found on the page dedicated to the Abschlussverfahren. Please ensure that you contact potential examiners and reviewers at an early stage (at least three months before the registration deadline).

For students who commenced their studies from Autumn Semester 2020 onwards.

For PPE Master’s students with a major in Economics

Leitfaden zum Verfassen von Bachelor- und Masterarbeiten – Für PPE-Studierende mit Schwerpunkt Ökonomie
Vorlage Titelblatt

For PPE Master’s students with a major in Politics or Philosophy

The Master’s degree programme is completed with a Master’s thesis and the Master’s examinations. All relevant information can be found on the Abschlussverfahren. Please ensure that you contact potential examiners and reviewers at an early stage (at least 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 guidelines for degree programmes and degree completion procedures, information sheets, and forms, are available on the Reglemente-Seite der Fakultät.

The 1st Swiss PPE Conference will take place at the University of Lucerne on 3 July 2026. This student-led event brings together PPE students as well as students specializing in one of the three disciplines.

'Progress under Pressure' addresses what we perceive as one of the most significant and urgent challenges of our time. Progress is commonly understood as a movement towards an improved state. While there is an ongoing debate about whether humanity is continually striving towards such a state, we nonetheless continue to use the idea of progress as a normative guideline for designing many assumptions, models and systems. However, the many intersecting and growing crises of our time are putting this normative principle of progress under increasing pressure. Ideas, paradigms and methods from all three PPE fields can help us rethink the meaning of human progress and recalibrate our assumptions, models and systems accordingly.

The conference will discuss questions such as:

• Can we still believe in progress-based models while destroying nature, the foundation of human reproduction? 
• Can we speak of systems that lead to progress when global conflicts increase, inequalities rise, and democracies collapse? 
• Are we entering an era of regress – and can we claim that certain forms of progress itself are responsible for today's crises? 
• What are the dominant narratives about progress and whom do they benefit or marginalize?
• What is the vision of the improved state toward which we should progress?
• How can philosophical perspectives clarify the meaning(s) of progress and evaluate whether assumptions, models, and systems align with it?
• How can political science reexamine whether existing institutions are still capable of managing contemporary crises – and what reforms are necessary?
• How has economics tied progress to GDP growth – and how can progress be redefined beyond it, such as through capabilities or human flourishing?

We believe that PPE is not only a programme of study, but also a way of relating to the world. It is a crossroads where multiple perspectives on various issues are given the opportunity to develop and come together, enabling us to see the bigger picture. We hope that, with the help of your work and ideas, this PPE conference may contribute to this crossroads.

For questions and clarifications, feel free to contact us via email (ppe-conference@unilu.ch). 

Schedule

Details will follow. 

Workshops

1. Rethinking progress: What is progress and development and where should it lead? Is humanity continually striving towards progress or not? How should we rethink progress particularly in relation to poverty, developing countries and non-Western perspectives? 

2. Systems: The intersecting and growing crises of our time increasingly expose the limits of political, economic, and ecological systems. In what ways are our institutions and structures (not) able to withstand this systemic stress? And what is needed to reinforce resilient systems? 

3. Work and Meaning: Today’s labour market increasingly causes competition, burnout and alienation, while also excluding integral parts of the sphere of work such as care work. Yet, work can also satisfy essential needs such as recognition, meaning and self-realization. How, then, should progress in the sphere of work be measured?

Keynotes

Lisa Herzog (online)

Jo Wolff (in person)