Philosophy BA

Program Overview

Students develop analytical and reasoning skills through diverse philosophical perspectives, covering areas from ethics to metaphysics. The program emphasizes real-world applications, with projects and opportunities such as the award-winning Philosophy in the City initiative, fostering engagement with societal issues.

Program Outline

Objectives:

• Develop your thinking skills through a distinctive combination of imagination and exact reasoning.
• Gain a solid understanding of the foundation of the discipline.
Thinking philosophically requires a distinctive mix of imagination and exact reasoning. You'll develop this along with analytical skills and a high degree of intellectual flexibility. Studying thinkers from many branches – analytic, continental, pragmatist, and Chinese philosophy – you’ll learn about a wide variety of philosophical areas, identify links between different disciplines and forge your own ideas.

• Top 100 in the world for Philosophy QS World Rankings 2023 - learn from world-leading staff, teaching an exceptionally diverse range of modules.
• An immersive experience - regular opportunities to get involved in the activities and events put on by the department, from annual conferences to regular reading groups.
• Take on the big issues - work with the Centre for Engaged Philosophy, researching areas of fundamental political and social importance, from criminal justice and social inclusion to climate ethics.

Outline:

Year 1:

• Core Modules (80 credits):
• Ethics and Society (20 credits)
• Mind and World (20 credits)
• Reason and Argument (20 credits)
• Writing Philosophy (20 credits)
• Optional Modules (20-40 credits):
• Death (10 credits)
• Ethics in Antiquity: East and West (10 credits)
• History of Philosophical Ideas (10 credits)
• LGBTQ [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer] Studies (10 credits)
• Philosophy of Religion (10 credits)
• Philosophy of Sex (10 credits)
• Philosophy of Science - Why Trust Science?
(10 credits)
• Truth, Reality and Virtual Reality (10 credits)
• Guided Modules from other disciplines (20 credits):
• History, Music, Politics, Languages

Year 2:

• Philosophy Modules (100 credits):
• Bioethics (20 credits)
• Environmental Justice (20 credits)
• Ethics: Theoretical and Practical (20 credits)
• Feminism (20 credits)
• Formal Logic (20 credits)
• History of Political Philosophy (20 credits)
• Life Worth Living (20 credits)
• Metaphysics (20 credits)
• Philosophy of Education (20 credits)
• Philosophy of Mind (20 credits)
• Philosophy of the Arts (20 credits)
• Plato (20 credits)
• Political Philosophy Today (20 credits)
• Religion and the Good Life (20 credits)
• Theory of Knowledge (20 credits)
• The Rationalists (20 credits)
• Guided Modules from other disciplines (20 credits):
• History, Music, Politics, Languages

Year 3:

• Philosophy Modules (100 credits):
• Ancient Chinese Philosophy (20 credits)
• Advanced Political Philosophy (20 credits)
• Bodies and Souls (20 credits)
• Dissertation Project 1 (20 credits)
• Dissertation Project 2 (20 credits)
• Ethical Scepticism (20 credits)
• Ethics and Belief (20 credits)
• Free Will & Religion (20 credits)
• Global Justice (20 credits)
• Moral Theory and Moral Psychology (20 credits)
• Pain, Pleasure, and Emotions (20 credits)
• Phenomenology (20 credits)
• Philosophical Problems 1 (20 credits)
• Philosophy of Law (20 credits)
• Plato's Symposium (20 credits)
• The Science of Consciousness (20 credits)
• Topics in Social Philosophy (20 credits)
• Work Place Learning (20 credits)
• Guided Modules from other disciplines (20 credits):
• History, Music, Politics, Languages

Assessment:

• Assessment is normally through a combination of coursework essays and exams.
• On some of your third year modules, you will have the opportunity to write a longer essay instead of sitting an exam.
• Some modules also use other forms of assessment, such as reflective journals, presentations, and discussion boards.

Teaching:

• Modules in philosophy focus on central philosophical issues and thinkers, and are taught through lectures, discussion seminars and online learning, as well as individual essay tutorials in the third year.
They're active researchers so your lectures and seminars are informed, relevant and exciting. We'll teach you how to think carefully, analytically and creatively.

Careers:

• Studying philosophy will develop your ability to analyse and state a case clearly, evaluate arguments and be precise in your thinking.
These skills will put you in a strong position when it comes to finding employment or going on to further study.
• Our graduates work in teaching, law, social work, computing, the civil service, journalism, paid charity work, business, insurance and accountancy.

Other:

• Our staff and students use philosophy to engage with real world issues.
You will be able to use what you learn to make a difference in the community, through projects like Philosophy in the City, an innovative and award-winning programme that enables students to teach philosophy in schools, homeless shelters and centres for the elderly.
• Our students run a thriving Philosophy Society and the only UK undergraduate philosophy journal.

£9,250Home students 2024 annual tuition fee £22,680Overseas students 2024 annual tuition fee