BA(Hons) Philosophy

Content

The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.

Year one

You'll study:

• Ancient Philosophy - introduces you to the most significant authors, texts, and issues of Ancient Greek Philosophy, from its origin to Aristotle, stressing the unitary character of its metaphysical, ethical, and political breakthroughs.
• Existentialism and Questions of Human Nature - aims to ground you in the importance of understandings of the human in the 18th and 19th century and the influence of these debates on 20th-century existentialism and its consideration of moral agency and freedom.
• Philosophical Methods: Introduction - provides an introduction to the key skills required for the assessment and construction of philosophical arguments, and therefore provides a set of core skills you'll build on throughout the course. The module also gives you a critical introduction to various philosophical theories of knowledge.
• Understanding our Global and Social Environment - prepares you for the global social/political, technological, and environmental themes that you'll encounter throughout the course.

Study exchange (if applicable) 

If you choose the study exchange option, you'll spend the first and/or second semester of year two studying at another university.  

See the Placements and Fees sections for more information. 

Year two

You'll study:

• Philosophical Methods - introduces you to the processes and methods used to produce knowledge and disseminate research in philosophy, in particular to non-academic audiences.
• Self and Society - brings together philosophical theories and skills with practice, enabling you to reflect on and apply the skills and experience that you gain throughout this philosophy degree.

Plus, six optional modules from:

• Critiques of Reason and Society: Post-Kantian Philosophy - examines the innovative creation of a variety of different philosophical systems and schools that developed in response to Kant's philosophy and explores their contemporary relevance.
• Decolonising Moral Thought - offers a decolonial critique of European moral thought and works towards a new decolonised approach to morality.
• Early Modern Philosophy - introduces you to the philosophical developments and theories of the 17th and 18th centuries in Great Britain and continental Europe, which provide the historical and conceptual background to current philosophical debates.
• Existence and Reality - considers metaphysics as the most general, most universal and the most abstract of the sciences. Exploring ontology as first philosophy and the relation of concepts to reality.
• Gender, Sexuality, Feminism - covers debates in feminist philosophy, focusing on issues about gender, gendered justice (including economic, political and epistemic injustice and bias) and emanicpation.
• Hellenistic and Neo-Platonist Philosophy - covers the development of philosophy after Aristotle until the closing of the Academy in 529 CE, focusing on the different conceptions of human flourishing developed at the time.
• Philosophy and Ethics of Innovation - shows how digital innovation is transforming the socio-technical environments that we call society, and studies the conditions under which this innovation can be managed in a trustworthy and responsible way.
• Philosophy of Art and Creative Practice - explores the nature and significance of artistic practice and aesthetic experience engaging with a range of artistic forms such as literature, music, film and visual art.
• Philosophy of Ecology - explores the claim that our dominant conception of nature is, in part, responsible for the global environmental emergency. Alternative conceptions of life and nature are, therefore, explored as a basis for establishing a sustainable future.
• Understanding Capitalism - explores philosophical concepts for understanding the historical origins and nature of capitalism, up to the present day.

Placement year (if applicable)

If you study on the four year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work or study placement after year two.

Depending on which you choose, you'll either complete a placement learning or learning and development module.

See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.

Final year

You'll study:

• Philosophy Project and Placement - builds on the knowledge you've acquired across the course and allows you to demonstrate a systematic understanding of key aspects of philosophy, including acquisition of coherent and detailed understanding which is informed by knowledge at the forefront of philosophy. You'll also demonstrate critical skills in the development of your own arguments and positions.

Plus, six optional modules from:

• Decolonisation in Theory and Practice - will critically discuss and utilize a series of pivotal concepts and experiences within the European and extra-European political tradition, such as democracy, transitional justice, civil disobedience, social change, political solidarity, and decolonial struggle.
• Ethics of Technology - discusses fundamental philosophical, ethical, political, and social problems arising from current and future developments in technology, particularly, but not exclusively, in the field of robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• Global Philosophical Issues - contains material pertaining to global issues of philosophical significance, such as climate change and will typically deploy non-European source material.
• Phenomenology: The Philosophy of Experience - provides an opportunity to conduct specialist studies in the field of one of the most important areas in contemporary philosophy: phenomenology.
• Philosophy of Mental Health and Psychiatry - addresses the underlying concepts, paradigms and ethical assumptions in mental health, its treatment, mental health policy, and the representation and public perception of mental illness.
• Philosophy of Science, Nature and Sustainability - explores different approaches in the philosophy of science and the philosophy of nature, and investigates their implications for technologies of the future and sustainability.
• Philosophy, Art, Literature - considers the interactive relationship between philosophy and a range of art forms, such as literature, poetry, performance, and music.
• Post-Humanism - investigates post-humanist philosophies arising from the current juxtaposition of accelerating technological development (artificial intelligence, robotics, human enhancement, digital surveillance, automation etc.) and social/political/economic/environmental crisis.
• Social Pathology and Paradoxes of Modernity: The Frankfurt School - provides an opportunity to conduct specialist studies in the field of Frankfurt School Critical Theory.
• Thought in Action: Film and Philosophy - explores the relationship between film and philosophy and allows students to engage the public in order to further disseminate their philosophical reflections on film.

This structure is for full-time students only. Part-time students study the same modules but the delivery pattern will be different.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you.

Learning and Teaching

You'll study a mix of theoretical and practice-led modules and follow three core themes throughout your course, which are Health, Society and Public Ethics; Technology, Environment and Sustainability; and Human Flourishing and Creative Practice.

You'll be taught through a mixture of lectures, workshops, and symposia. Live briefs and placements with external partners will demonstrate how philosophy can be applied practically in the real world. 

Our interdisciplinary course approach allows you to explore philosophy in conjunction with fields like science, technology, and ethics, so you'll graduate with a holistic understanding of complex issues and the ability to address them from multiple angles.

The course showcases a remarkable commitment to the intersection of philosophy and art, evidenced by our collaboration with renowned artists, including Turner Prize winners and Documenta artists, who contribute to our art modules, fostering a truly immersive and creative learning environment. 

See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.

Interesting projects

Experience teaching philosophy yourself through a project we run with local schools.

Join our thriving, student-run Philosophy Society to hear from speakers from other universities, and take part in topical debates and activities. Find out more at UWE Bristol Philosophy Society.

Learn from experts

Where possible, we will organise live briefs held by external professionals.

Expand your knowledge and learn from practitioners at the lectures and conferences we organise where possible. You'll find plenty going on at the University, and at local art centres and other venues.

Assessment

Our innovative, inclusive assessment strategy suits learners from a broad range of backgrounds. You'll be assessed using diverse assessment methods, giving you the opportunity to demonstrate your abilities in a variety of ways, from blog writing to presentations.

You'll get to choose how you engage with your assessments, enabling you to co-create your learning. Completing a range of assessments allows you to show employers that you have a broad skillset and valuable experience needed in the workplace, from teamwork and leadership.

Assessments include written essays, integrated student presentations and oral public speaking exams, group work including seminar leading (symposia), independent projects, research essays, dissertations, short tests, digital portfolios and blog journals. Examples of assessments include writing philosophical works, engaging in practice-led modules and placements, and organising and leading public engagement events, such as "Thought in Action" at Watershed.

Learn more about assessments.