BA (Hons) PHILOSOPHY WITH A PLACEMENT YEAR
BA (HONS) PHILOSOPHY WITH A PLACEMENT YEAR
Explore fundamental philosophical questions – about ethics, consciousness, God, and the universe.
Discover what great thinkers of the past thought, ideas that were radical at the time and still of the greatest relevance today. Use philosophy to tackle current issues – climate justice, and critical thinking in a ‘post-truth’ world.
Prepare to excel in a whole host of careers – teaching, law, environmental work and more!
Studying philosophy is one of the most exhilarating ways to spend your student years. It’s also life-changing, prompting you to reflect on your values and your contribution to the wider world. If you want to ask difficult questions and challenge the things that others take for granted, you’ll thrive on this degree.
About
Philosophy is a fantastic degree choice for independent thinkers, and – beyond studying it for its own sake – it will help you prepare for any number of careers that involve asking questions, gathering evidence, drawing conclusions and communicating your arguments, such as law, politics, journalism, and even advertising.
You don’t need to have studied Philosophy before joining our degree programme. You simply need to be prepared to get stuck in – and to challenge everything. Your studies will begin with carefully designed introductory modules, which lay the foundations across all fields.
You’ll study great contemporary thinkers as well as those from the past, grapple with puzzles about ethics, God and religion, about the mind, and about language and how it relates to the world. What is there? How do we know? Does science have all the answers? What if there is a God? When, if ever, has anyone found the answers to these questions? These are just a few of the questions you’ll investigate. You can explore the philosophies of the non-Western world, engage with burning political or environmental issues, or examine the thinking behind literature or film. And your teachers will be scholars currently engaged in cutting-edge research in all these fields.
You can build your own tailored studies through your second and third years, when you’ll have an open choice of philosophy themes to follow. Examples include environmental philosophy, political philosophy, philosophy of language, ethics, philosophy of religion, philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, logic, philosophy of art, literature and film, and various opportunities to study the work of ancient and modern thinkers including some non-Western philosophy. In your final year, you might choose to undertake a one-to-one dissertation or enroll for a small group special subject.
Your degree also allows you to, if you wish, take one or two modules each year from complementary subjects outside of philosophy. Themes currently on offer include languages, politics, gender studies, film studies, history, literature, or students can design their own theme in discussion with their adviser.
Philosophy thrives on discussion. That is why you will explore and debate topics with your lecturers and fellow students in small discussion groups – as well as through lectures and independent study. You’ll also develop your thinking and communication skills through a variety of types of written work and exercises, some for practice, some for assessment.
Throughout your time at UEA, you will work in close partnership with our lecturers and professors, who have produced work that is discussed the world over. Studying at the forefront of philosophical thinking, you will be listening to your lecturers as they develop new ideas and helping them to identify new ways forward.
On Philosophy with a Placement Year, you will normally spend 9-12 months of your third year in a placement, gaining invaluable working experience and employability skills in a relevant area of your choice.
Even when studying texts from the past, Philosophy involves fresh thinking, so our module content is newly worked over every time it is delivered and discussed.

Philosophical reflections on the idea of a universal basic income

John Collins on Chomsky
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Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.Placement Year and Study Abroad
Want to graduate with professional experience? On this course, you will normally spend 9-12 months of your third year* in a placement, gaining invaluable work experience and employability skills in a relevant area of your choice. You’ll be expected to seek your own work placement, and will be supported in doing so by UEA’s Career Central Service and your School. Support for you to find your placement will start early in the first year and will be tailored to the particular needs you will have at various stages of the process.
The field in which you will do your placement will depend on your own interests, and some of the preparatory workshops will help you have a clearer idea of what these are, what your values are, and which career they may lead to. Philosophy graduates go into a wide range of sectors, and so placements can be done in fields such as heritage, business, the public sector, creative industries and many more. We will, however, require that the tasks you will conduct as part of your placement meet the required learning outcomes and are complex enough to help you develop a range of skills that you’ll be able to translate and use during the final year of your degree and your post-graduation career.
* Placements may be shorter on some occasions, or take place during different years of the degree, but this has to be agreed by the Placement Director and Learning and Teaching Services.

Philosophical reflections on the idea of a universal basic income

John Collins on Chomsky
After the Course
Philosophy degrees from UEA are a tried and tested route into a range of careers, including law, journalism, the civil service, the cultural industries, teaching and lecturing, charity and environmental work, and politics. This is due to the unique range of skills you will have developed by studying philosophy. They include:
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Precise and effective communication skills
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The ability to analyse data and information
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Reasoning, problem-solving and persuasion skills
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Listening carefully to others, with empathy and rigorous attention to detail
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Innovative and original ideas supported by reasons
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A commitment to justice, fairness, integrity, and the desire to do things that are praiseworthy.
Career destinations
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Examples of careers you could enter include:
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Law
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Journalism
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Civil service
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Cultural industries
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Teaching or lecturing
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Charity and environmental work

Philosophical reflections on the idea of a universal basic income

John Collins on Chomsky
Assessment for Year 1
All assessments are at the module level and consist of a mix of class test, exam, and essays. These assessments will not contribute to the classification of the degree. You’ll receive constructive feedback on both your formative and summative assessments to help you develop your understanding and skills.
Assessment for Year 2
All assessments are at the module level and consist of the mixture of exam, class presentation, and essay. All assessments will be preceded by formative work upon which written feedback will be provided. This is meant to help you improve your performance in the summative tasks.
Assessment for Year 3
You’ll be asked to reflect on your placement by, for instance, offering a self-appraisal of what you have learnt and demonstrating your broader commercial awareness of your placement’s sector.Assessment for Year 4
Assessments are the same in Year 2 except for the addition of the opportunity to write a dissertation (8-9000 words) on a topic of your choosing under the supervision of a member of faculty. The constructive feedback will be substantial throughout so that you can deliver your best work as part of your summative assessment.
Your final degree result is based on the marks for all your modules in the last two years, weighted 40:60 so that more importance is attached to the fully mature work of your third year.
Students on BA Philosophy have the option of taking one or two modules outside of the philosophy department. This allows students, if they wish, to follow a subsidiary theme alongside their studies in philosophy. Suggested themes include: Politics, Economics and International Development (select from PPLI, PPLM, PPLX, ECO, DEV or ENV modules in the list; A chosen language (select from appropriate modules on the list in Japanese, French, Spanish, German, Arabic, British Sign Language, or Russian); Gender Studies (AMAA4025, HIS-4012); Literature and Creative Writing (select from LDC modules on the list); History (select from HIS or AMAH modules on the list); or Film, Art and Culture (select an AMAA or AMAM module from the list, PPLF4006 or PPLH4004). Other themes can be developed by students to suit their individual interests in consultation with their academic advisors. Academic advisors can also provide guidance on taking some modules outside philosophy on a one-off basis. Enrolment on these modules will be dependent on students satisfying any relevant module pre-requisites and may in some cases (e.g., language modules) involve sitting a test. By default, in the event a chosen module is oversubscribed, students will be enrolled on a philosophy module.
Assessment for Year 1
All assessments are at the module level and consist of a mix of class test, exam, and essays. These assessments will not contribute to the classification of the degree. You’ll receive constructive feedback on both your formative and summative assessments to help you develop your understanding and skills.
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Students will take 120 credits, Students are permitted to take 40 or 60 credits from Options Range B (subject to satisfactory progress) to continue with their chosen subsidiary route. Students must ensure they take an even balance of credits in each semester. If you plan to take PPLP5171B PHI Semester Abroad Module, you will make full 120 credit selections from Option Ranges A, B and C, in consultation with the Course Director to ensure a good spread of Politics and Philosophy modules across the year, to take account of the philosophy content in your studies abroad. Your Semester 2 modules will be replaced with PPLP5171B after Semester Abroad destination is confirmed.
Assessment for Year 2
All assessments are at the module level and consist of the mixture of exam, class presentation, and essay. All assessments will be preceded by formative work upon which written feedback will be provided. This is meant to help you improve your performance in the summative tasks.
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Assessment for Year 3
You’ll be asked to reflect on your placement by, for instance, offering a self-appraisal of what you have learnt and demonstrating your broader commercial awareness of your placement’s sector.Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Students can take only ONE dissertation but may take a further Philosophy Special Subject in addition, if suitably qualified. Students wishing to take the Philosophy dissertation or special subject modules must complete the form circulated in advance of the Enrolment Fair. Students should aim to pick an even balance of credits in each semester. Students can take a maximum of 30 credits of level 5 modules in their final year of studies. Where students wish totake a language module they can apply separately by variation to course profile request.
Assessment for Year 4
Assessments are the same in Year 2 except for the addition of the opportunity to write a dissertation (8-9000 words) on a topic of your choosing under the supervision of a member of faculty. The constructive feedback will be substantial throughout so that you can deliver your best work as part of your summative assessment.
Your final degree result is based on the marks for all your modules in the last two years, weighted 40:60 so that more importance is attached to the fully mature work of your third year.
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Entry Requirements
A Levels
ABB If you are taking an EPQ and three A-levels, we may offer you a one grade reduction on our advertised typical offer, if you achieve an A in the EPQ.T Levels
Not acceptedBTEC
DDM excluding BTEC Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business AdministrationScottish highers
AAABBScottish highers advanced
BCCIrish leaving certificate
3 subjects at H2, 3 subjects at H3Access course
Access to Humanities & Social Sciences pathway. Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 30 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 15 credits at Level 3European Baccalaureate
32International Baccalaureate
32GCSE offer
You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.Additional entry requirements
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications. If you have a qualification which is not listed here, please contact us via Admissions Enquiries.If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes
Important note
Once enrolled onto your course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include your eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
International Requirements
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. View our International Students pages for specific information about your country.
INTO University of East Anglia
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree:
International Foundation in Business, Economics, Society and Culture (for Year 1 entry to UEA)
International Foundation in Humanities and Law (for Year 1 entry to UEA)
Students for whom english is a foreign language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components) for year 1 entry
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IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in all components) for year 2 entry
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
Interviews
Most applicants will not be called for an interview and a decision will be made via UCAS Track. However, for some applicants an interview will be requested. Where an interview is required the Admissions Service will contact you directly to arrange a time.Gap year
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
Intakes
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake is in September each year.

Philosophical reflections on the idea of a universal basic income

John Collins on Chomsky
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course related costs
View our information about Additional Course Fees.

Philosophical reflections on the idea of a universal basic income

John Collins on Chomsky
How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information:

Philosophical reflections on the idea of a universal basic income

John Collins on Chomsky

Philosophical reflections on the idea of a universal basic income

John Collins on Chomsky
Course Variants
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