• Who is eligible to apply?

To be eligible for an exchange you must achieve an average of 3.0 GPA in stage 1 and stage 2 of your degree. Generally, for students going on exchange in stage 3, the average GPA is calculated as follows:(Stage 1 + Stage 1 + Stage 2 trimester 1) divided by 3.

If you are successful in your application, you will need to have completed 60 credits at Stage 1 including all cores, and at least 50 credits in Stage 2, to be eligible to take your exchange or Erasmus place. N.B. Please note that your progression to stage 4 might be affected if you don’t achieve 60 credits in Stage 2.

• When and for how long can I go abroad? 

You can apply to study abroad in a host university for one trimester (either Trimester 1 or Trimester 2) in Stage 3 of your programme.

• How many modules do I need to take and what do I need to study while I am abroad? 

As a PPE student, you are required to pass a minimum of 20 ECTS credits at your host institution. However, it is recommended that you attempt up to 30 ECTS at your host institution. While studying at the host university you should study modules in some or all of the PPE subject areas; an equal balance of subjects is not required. Note that this credit quantity might equate to different numbers of modules at different partner universities. 

Note: If you take exchange outside of Europe, you will be required to take specific course workload relevant to each university, as outside of Europe institutions don’t use the ECTS system.

• Where Can I go?

The destinations available for 2022/23 Stage 3 are listed below, to discuss with your Programme Director.

Destinations

BSc PPE students wishing to go abroad for one trimester in Stage 3 may apply to the following universities:

Please note: Destinations listed are for guidance and are subject to change, based on a number of factors, including availability of places and agreements with host universities. If a University is of particular interest and is not listed (or is not listed for the duration you would like), please contact Ronan Gough, Erasmus Exchange Programme Manager ((opens in a new window)outgoing.socialsciences@ucd.ie)  to explore this further. 

Contact for more information:

The Programme Director of Philosophy, Politics and Economics will advise on academic requirements when you are abroad.

(opens in a new window)Vincent Hogan <vincent.hogan@ucd.ie>

• Outgoing Erasmus and Exchange FAQs
• UCD Social Sciences Outgoing Student Exchanges Handbook 2023-24
• GPA information for students who study abroad in Stage 3  
• Application Process 
• UCD Global Information on Exchanges  
• Contact the Social Sciences Office
• Email: Programme Manager for Outbound Erasmus and Exchange: (opens in a new window)outgoing.socialsciences@ucd.ie 

It is important that you research the language requirements for any institution that you wish to apply to. As the exchange programme is very competitive and you may not be offered your top preference, you are encouraged to check at least a few options -  which you can then include in your application.

It will be your responsibility to ensure that you check in advance the course catalogue on a host university website to see if there are sufficient subjects/modules offered through English.

You don’t need to select modules before you apply but you must check their suitability in advance so you are fully aware of subjects choices should you be nominated to that institution. Your Programme Director  for PPE will be able to advise you if you have a specific question on particular subjects offered in host university.

For more information on requirements please check the  UCD Global website.