Nathan Allison
I’m Nathan Allison, a third-year student in the Bachelor in Philosophy, Politics, Law & Economics program at IE University. Originally from the UK, I’ve spent most of my life living overseas in the Middle East. I transferred to IE University in 2022 after studying at the Universiteit van Amsterdam. Choosing the Bachelor in Philosophy, Politics, Law & Economics allowed me to explore four fascinating disciplines while shaping my future career.
"The Bachelor in Philosophy, Politics, Law & Economics teaches you to think across disciplines, looking at topics through the perspective of a politician, philosopher, lawyer and economist."
From law to cybersecurity: a student’s journey at IE University
Nathan Allison’s academic journey through the Bachelor in Philosophy, Politics, Law & Economics at IE University is an inspiring example of the value of multidisciplinary education. Raised in the Middle East, Nathan initially planned to study law but—while on a gap year—questioned if it was the right choice. This ultimately led him to IE University for the opportunity to explore law, politics, philosophy and economics simultaneously.
After joining the IE Community in 2022, Nathan found its versatility to be the perfect match for his needs. With a natural aptitude for philosophy and a passion for politics, the program has taught him how to tackle complex real-world issues from a range of perspectives. This ability to approach problems from different angles has helped him develop a more nuanced understanding of the world.
Nathan believes the strength of the Bachelor in Philosophy, Politics, Law & Economics program lies in its ability to integrate each field in a way that mirrors reality. He points out that many societal issues do not have a "one-size-fits-all, black-and-white solution in the real world." To that end, he believes that different legal, political and philosophical perspectives often need to be considered when setting policy. Using the contemporary example of TikTok’s potential ban, Nathan explains the importance of assessing different viewpoints to fully understand wider context and potential ramifications.
The third-year student believes applying his education into such real-world contexts has been one of the most rewarding aspects of his time at IE University. Highlighting his involvement in elective courses and activities, such as Legal Tech Week and a General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) specialist course, Nathan descibes how putting theory into practice has been invaluable to his personal development.
Looking ahead, Nathan feels the program has provided him with the flexibility to pursue a range of career paths, thanks in part to the expansive experience of his professors. Differing from traditional programs which may have a more singular vision, the Bachelor in Philosophy, Politics, Law & Economics places its focus on cross-disciplinary thinking and versatile learning. This enables students to bridge the intersections between separate fields while simultaneously providing a solid foundation in each discipline.
Although Nathan finds value in all four fields, he is particularly passionate about pursuing a career in cybersecurity or data privacy. He explains how this intersects with politics and law, both critical for analysis, implementation and enforcement. Nathan hopes to combine his occupational interests with travel by exploring new cultures worldwide while working in spheres such as GDPR or ISO27001—the framework for organizations to establish, implement, operate, monitor, review, maintain and continually improve an Information Security Management System.
Nathan’s advice to prospective students is to remain open-minded and embrace change, describing his experience as proof that education is about discovering new passions in an ever-changing world. His experience underlines how exploring beyond your comfort zone through the program provides fresh perspectives and an increased sense of adaptability when facing future challenges.