A major chosen by the end of sophomore year
Yale says every student begins undeclared and has until the end of sophomore year to choose from over 80 majors. EP&E is on the list.
Undergraduate · Yale College
Yale Ethics, Politics & Economics: an interdisciplinary major, not a separate admission
Yale College admits students without a declared major, and Ethics, Politics & Economics (EP&E) is one of the 80-plus majors they may choose by the end of sophomore year. The programme's own page describes a major that examines social and political questions from several disciplinary perspectives, with introductory courses, core courses and applied seminars, a self-chosen concentration and a senior essay. For an A-level or IB applicant, the decision is whether this integrated route suits you better than a standard Economics or Politics major, and what Yale asks of all applicants. This guide claims no separate admission to EP&E.
Official information · read 31 October 2026, no entry-year label
What Yale says about Yale Ethics, Politics and Economics
Taken from Yale Undergraduate Admissions' Majors, Standardized Testing and International pages and the Program on Ethics, Politics and Economics' undergraduate page, read on 31 October 2026. The pages carry no entry-year label, so for a 2028-entry application every statement below is evidence for the previous cycle and may change; check Yale's pages for the 2028-entry details.
Several disciplines, one major
The programme says it integrates empirical, analytical and normative concerns and sponsors teaching in the social sciences and humanities.
A concentration and a senior essay
Each student selects a concentration with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, and the senior essay is the culminating experience.
International applicants meet the same requirements
Yale says applicants from outside the U.S. complete the same application and fulfil the same requirements.
The SAT or ACT is required
Yale's testing policy requires scores from either test. A-level and IB results do not replace them on the pages read.
Official sources
- Yale Undergraduate Admissions: Majors & Academic Programsadmissions.yale.edu
- Yale Program on Ethics, Politics and Economics: Student Infoepe.yale.edu
- Yale Undergraduate Admissions: International Applicantsadmissions.yale.edu
- Yale Undergraduate Admissions: Standardized Testingadmissions.yale.edu
Read on 31 October 2026 on Yale Undergraduate Admissions' Majors, Standardized Testing and International pages and the Program on Ethics, Politics and Economics' undergraduate page, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. Yale's course catalogue, the Ethics, Politics & Economics requirement pages, the concentration lists, deadlines and financial aid were not read, and the pages do not mention A-levels or the IB by name and are not stated.
The major
What the programme says EP&E is
The Program on Ethics, Politics and Economics describes itself as interdisciplinary teaching and research that fosters informed debate about public policy through disciplined reflection on the fundamentals of human association. Students in the major take introductory courses, core courses and applied seminars, choose a concentration with the Director of Undergraduate Studies and finish with a senior essay. The page read lists no course titles, so this guide names none.
Is it the right major?
EP&E, Economics or Political Science
Yale describes each as a major, so the choice comes after admission. Avandy's comparison is general.
EP&E fits if
you want to combine ethical, political and economic reasoning on the same questions, and to write a substantial essay.
A single-discipline major fits if
you want deeper specialisation in one method. Yale's majors page lists these separately.
Compare with Oxford PPE if
you are weighing a UK degree. Oxford admits you to a named course; Yale admits you to the College.
Testing and qualifications
SAT or ACT required; A-levels and the IB are not named
Yale requires first-year applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores and has no preference between them. The international page says applicants from outside the U.S. complete the same application with the same requirements and are considered through the same whole-person process. The pages read do not mention A-levels or the IB by name, and this guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Yale's.
Do you want to integrate disciplines or master one?
EP&E is built around integration.
Are you comfortable choosing the major later?
Yale students are undeclared until the end of sophomore year.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT?
Yale requires one of them for first-year applicants.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Yale's pages carry no entry-year label, so nothing on them is confirmed for 2028 entry. Use them to understand the structure of the application, then check Yale's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
The requirements and descriptions on the pages read on 31 October 2026, which carry no entry-year label
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Yale has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Deadlines, fees, financial aid and any department prerequisites not quoted here: not stated
This guide has not read them. Check Yale for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the EP&E student information page and plan the SAT or ACT.
Support
Independent support with planning your own application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Yale College or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here is limited to understanding the requirements and planning the applicant's own work; Avandy does not write or edit essays, does not submit any materials and has no partnership with Yale College. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Can I apply directly to Yale EP&E?
The pages read describe admission to Yale College, where students choose a major by the end of sophomore year.
Is there a senior essay?
Yes. The programme describes a senior essay on a topic of the student's choosing as the culminating academic experience.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Yes. Yale's testing policy requires scores from either test, with no preference between them.
Do international applicants have different requirements?
Yale says they complete the same application and fulfil the same requirements as other applicants.
Does Yale name A-levels or the IB on these pages?
No. The pages read do not mention them by name.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Yale's wording with no entry-year label. Check Yale's pages again when Yale publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Yale Ethics, Politics and Economics
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their interest in combining philosophy, politics and economics, their writing and their SAT or ACT plan, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.