Philosophy, politics, and economics, all in one: the degree for the complex world to come

For decades, universities have emphasized one concept: specialization. Their classrooms have produced economists, political scientists, philosophers—defined profiles trained in disciplines with clear boundaries. However, it is increasingly difficult to address major contemporary debates from a single perspective. A multitude of challenges arise: how to regulate artificial intelligence without stifling innovation, how to guarantee economic growth without exacerbating inequalities, how to govern society in a context of polarization and climate crisis… The degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics is based on this observation: complexity is not addressed by fragmenting knowledge, but by doing.

In Spain, these studies began in the 2013-2014 academic year. It was the first joint project of the so-called A4U Alliance, formed by Pompeu Fabra University, the Autonomous University of Barcelona, ​​the Autonomous University of Madrid, and Carlos III University. "It was a commitment by the university presidents to create a more comprehensive education to face the challenges and complexity of today's world," Miquel Salvador, vice-dean and coordinator of the degree program at UPF, explained to ARA. At that time, there was no similar precedent in Spain. However, there were examples in the English-speaking world, at universities like Oxford, where the programs are called PPE (Professional Education Programs).

A global education

"This degree program has three pillars: philosophy, politics, and economics, but students also take courses related to history and law," explains Salvador. According to the coordinator, the current context further reinforces this need. "It's increasingly important to have this more integrated perspective to understand the complexity of the world and be able to generate effective responses," he states. The goal is not only to train critical analysts, but also individuals capable of proposing alternatives. "We don't just focus on generating diagnoses; we also want students to be able to propose solutions," he emphasizes.

This commitment to an integrated approach translates into interdisciplinary seminars where professors from different fields work together. The idea is that students not only accumulate knowledge, but also learn to connect different areas of knowledge.

It promotes inter-university mobility

One of the unique aspects of the degree program is its commitment to student mobility between Madrid and Catalonia. Each cohort consists of 60 students: 30 enrolled in Barcelona and 30 in Madrid. Together, they share the first two years of study in an inter-university program that is unusual in the Spanish system.

"They all do the first semester together at UPF, and the second at UAB," explains the coordinator. In their second year, they go to universities in Madrid. This means that, in just two years, the students have spent time on four different campuses and experienced four different approaches to university teaching. From their third year onward, the group splits: the students enrolled in Barcelona return to UPF, and those from Madrid stay in the capital, although the teaching continues to be coordinated between teams from different universities.

This model, according to its coordinator, is much more than a logistical matter. "It's a privilege to get to know four different universities, because each university has its own style and unique characteristics," he says. The shared experience—going through moving to a new city, changing campuses, and the academic life together—ultimately fosters a group cohesion that is uncommon in other degree programs. In fact, the students have created an association that organizes activities such as debate series.