Philosophy

Why study philosophy?

By examining life's fundamental questions, philosophy helps to shape the way we think about the world.

What are the ethical, political and social questions we need to ask ourselves? What can we know? And how can we change the world using our knowledge?'

Exploring questions such as these hones and develops your thinking skills, and provides a strong springboard into many professions. 

Why study at UWE Bristol?

BA(Hons) Philosophy is a diverse and distinctive degree that will give you the broad grounding you need for your own philosophical work, and the inspiration to tackle life's big issues for yourself.

Studying in a close-knit group of students and lecturers, you'll engage with the history of philosophy, from its beginnings in ancient Greece to the great minds of 19th, 20th and 21st century European philosophers.

You'll learn how to analyse complex issues from different perspectives, present logical, reasoned arguments, and communicate concepts and opinions with clarity and precision. 

Benefit from a diverse range of work-based learning opportunities from teaching philosophy in schools, to organising your own philosophy conference.

Apply your knowledge and expertise on a work placement and add to your experience with the option of spending a year studying in Europe or America.

With options for final year specialisms that include links with sociology, politics and robotics, you'll develop the skills and knowledge that will equip you well for your career and life in general.

Where can it take me?

Our philosophy graduates are in demand across journalism, law, banking, the creative industries and all kinds of business management.

You could work in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or specialise in teaching, research, counselling or healthcare, among many other areas.

Content

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

Year one

You will study:

• Critical Thinking
• Theories of Knowledge
• Ancient Philosophy
• Problems of the Self
• The Death of God and the Meaning of Life.

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 will study:

• Philosophical Methods
• Self and Society.

Plus, six optional modules from:

• Hellenistic Philosophy
• Early Modern Philosophy
• Feminist Philosophy
• Marxist Philosophies
• Theoretical Ethics
• Applied Ethics
• Philosophical Approaches to Art
• Philosophy of Contemporary Art
• 19th Century German Philosophy
• Metaphysics.

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 will study:

• Philosophy Project and Placement Module.

Plus, six optional modules from:

• Ethics of Technology
• Philosophy of Nature and Science
• Post-Humanism
• Soul, Mind, Nature
• Advanced Philosophical Texts
• Contemporary Philosophical Issues
• Phenomenology: The Philosophy of Experience
• Social Pathology and the Paradoxes of Modernity in the Frankfurt School
• Power, Desire and Agency; Debates in 20th Century French Philosophy
• Europe and Decolonisation
• Philosophy as a Way of Life
• Thought in Action; Film and Philosophy
• Social Sciences Placement Year.

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 will inform you.

Learning and Teaching

A diverse course of study, from pre-socratic to contemporary philosophy, covering questions from how we can have knowledge of the external world to how we should live our lives and adapt to technological change. 

You'll get a solid foundation in the central issues of philosophy and develop your own unique path of study based on your interests and strengths.

Attend lectures, seminars and workshops, and work on projects on your own and in groups.

Join our close-knit study community, develop as an independent learner, and be taught, mentored and encouraged by our enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff.  

Passionate about philosophy and working at the forefront of the subject, many lecturers are current writers and bring contemporary philosophical issues into their teaching.

Partake in the practice of philosophy itself, and develop your own philosophical knowledge.

Our staff are there to support and guide you. You'll get regular feedback on your work and we'll ask you for regular feedback on your modules.

Join a staff-student committee, where you'll get to influence discussions that affect your learning experience.

Our Student Adviser Service can help with everything from ensuring you're enrolled on the correct modules, to paying fees.

See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.

Percentage of time you'll spend in different learning activities, each year: 

Year	Scheduled learning and teaching study	Independent study	Placement study	% check
1	24%	76%	0%	100%
2	23%	74%	3%	100%
3	19%	81%	0%	100%

Interesting projects

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

Come along to our World Philosophy Day to find out about the latest research we're working on.  

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

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

Assessment

We'll assess you using a mix of essay coursework, formal exams, oral presentations and independent project work.

See our full glossary of assessment terms.

Percentage of time you'll spend on different assessment methods, each year:

Year	Written exam assessment	Coursework assessment	Practical exam assessment	% check
1	36%	64%	0%	100%
2	38%	59%	3%	100%
3	22%	65%	13%	100%

We are pleased to confirm that our New students webpages are now available for students starting this course in September 2019. Here you can find links to useful information about registering, course start dates, arriving on campus what to expect before and when you arrive.

We automatically send a message via your Welcome website plus an email to notify you once your Preparing to Study information is available. It is important that you regularly check your Welcome website for new messages.

Typical offers

• Tariff points: 120
• GCSE: For all applicants, Grade C/4 or above in English Language and Mathematics, or equivalent. Please note the University does not accept Level 2 Key Skills, Functional Skills or Certificates in Adult Numeracy and Literacy as suitable alternatives to GCSEs.
• A-level subjects: No specific subjects required. Points from A-Level General Studies and AS-Level subjects (not taken onto full A-Level) can be included towards overall tariff. You must have a minimum of two A-Levels.
• Relevant subjects: Philosophy, RE, Politics, Sociology, English, Psychology, History, Biology, Chemistry or Physics.
• EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: No specific subjects required.
• Access: Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma; to include 30 level 3 credits at merit.
• Baccalaureate IB: No specific subjects required.

Entry requirements

We recognise the individual nature of each application and our typical offer should be viewed as a guide. UWE Bristol welcomes interest from applicants who may not have the standard entry requirements. We will consider evidence of your relevant personal, professional or educational experience where it demonstrates an ability and potential to succeed on the course. Please include details of any relevant experience in your application.

If you don't meet the entry requirements of this course, you may be eligible for Foundation Year entry into this or other related degree courses.

Please read the general information about entry requirements.

UWE Bristol's International College

If you are an international student and do not meet the academic or English language requirements to study this course, you can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College.

English language support

If you meet the academic requirements but require additional support to take your language skills to the required level, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Students who successfully complete the pre-sessional course can progress onto their chosen degree course without retaking an IELTS or equivalent.

Read more about our Pre-Sessional English Programme.

Offer Types

If you have not received your exam results, your offer from UWE Bristol will be conditional and will be subject to you achieving the tariff points/grades required for your course.

If you have already satisfied the academic entry requirements of your chosen course, you are likely to be made an unconditional offer. Please note that UWE Bristol will only make unconditional offers if you have already achieved your qualifications.

To make sure our applicants are academically prepared for when they start their studies at UWE Bristol, we do not make unconditional offers to those that are still studying their Level 3 qualifications (such as A-levels, BTEC, Access or equivalent). We hope that this will encourage our applicants to value their academic achievements as much as we do.

If you receive an offer for this course, you may be invited to attend an Offer Holder Day in February or March. These are a great opportunity to find out what it's really like to study here. You'll experience taster lectures or workshops, meet your course tutors, current students and other offer holders.

How to apply

Read more about undergraduate applications.

For further information

• Email: Admissions@uwe.ac.uk
• Telephone: +44(0)117 32 83333