BA PHILOSOPHY
BA PHILOSOPHY
Explore fundamental philosophical questions – about ethics, consciousness, God, and the universe.
Use philosophy to tackle important current issues – climate justice, freedom from oppression, 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, then 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 then communicating your arguments, such as within law, politics, journalism, and even advertising.
You don’t need to have studied Philosophy before to join 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 will study great contemporary thinkers as well as those from the past, grapple with puzzles about ethics, God and religion, about the mind, 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. In your final year you might choose to undertake a one-to-one dissertation or enroll for a small group special subject.
Our “guided options” system also allows you to take a sequence of appropriate classes from other departments that contribute to a particular theme: the themes currently on offer include gender studies, classical ideas, creative writing, film studies, or languages and culture. You can choose to broaden your studies by following one of these themes for one, two or all three years of your degree.
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’ll work in close partnership with our lecturers and professors, who have produced work that’s discussed the world over. Studying at the forefront of philosophical thinking, you’ll be listening to your lecturers as they develop new ideas, and helping them to identify new ways forward.
Even when studying texts from the past, Philosophy involves fresh thinking, so our module content is newly worked over every time it’s delivered and discussed. It’s exciting stuff!
Our BA Philosophy course is ranked in the top 30 for Philosophy by both 'The Complete University Guide 2022' and 'The Guardian 2021'.
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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
You could expand your horizons by choosing to spend a semester of your second year studying abroad at one of UEA’s partner universities. You’d spend the Autumn semester completing three modules at UEA, then transfer overseas in the Spring.
You will not only experience life in a different country and make international connections, you’ll also make yourself even more attractive to prospective employers, who value the skills of resourcefulness and resilience that studying abroad will bring you.
For further details, visit our Study Abroad section of our website.
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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
Examples of careers you could enter include:
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Law
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Journalism
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The Civil Service
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Cultural industries
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Teaching or lecturing
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Charity and environmental work
Are Some Risks Too Big To Take?
Study Philosophy at UEA
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Assessment for Year 1
Each module has its own designated assessment method. For most philosophy modules this means the written coursework that you will have prepared and revised after feedback. In some Spring modules in your first and second years it will also include an examination.
In the final year most modules are assessed by a larger piece of your own work or a number of more in-depth essays.
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.
Assessment for Year 2
Each module has its own designated assessment method. For most philosophy modules this means the written coursework that you will have prepared and revised after feedback. In some Spring modules in your first and second years it will also include an examination.
In the final year most modules are assessed by a larger piece of your own work or a number of more in-depth essays.
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.
Assessment for Year 3
Each module has its own designated assessment method. For most philosophy modules this means the written coursework that you will have prepared and revised after feedback. In some Spring modules in your first and second years it will also include an examination.
In the final year most modules are assessed by a larger piece of your own work or a number of more in-depth essays.
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.
Assessment for Year 1
Each module has its own designated assessment method. For most philosophy modules this means the written coursework that you will have prepared and revised after feedback. In some Spring modules in your first and second years it will also include an examination.
In the final year most modules are assessed by a larger piece of your own work or a number of more in-depth essays.
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.Students will take 120 credits, all or most of which will be from Option Range A (minimum 80 credits, maximum 120 credits). Any remaining credits will be taken from Option Range B. Students are permitted to take 20 or 40 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.
Assessment for Year 2
Each module has its own designated assessment method. For most philosophy modules this means the written coursework that you will have prepared and revised after feedback. In some Spring modules in your first and second years it will also include an examination.
In the final year most modules are assessed by a larger piece of your own work or a number of more in-depth essays.
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.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.
Assessment for Year 3
Each module has its own designated assessment method. For most philosophy modules this means the written coursework that you will have prepared and revised after feedback. In some Spring modules in your first and second years it will also include an examination.
In the final year most modules are assessed by a larger piece of your own work or a number of more in-depth essays.
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
BBB or ABC or BBC with an A in the Extended ProjectBTEC
DDM. Excludes BTEC Public Services, BTEC Uniformed Services and BTEC Business Administration.Scottish highers
AABBBScottish highers advanced
CCCIrish leaving certificate
2 subjects at H2 and 4 subjects at H3Access course
Access to Humanities & Social Sciences pathway. Pass with Merit in 45 credits at Level 3European Baccalaureate
70%International Baccalaureate
31 pointsGCSE 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
If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes.
If you do not meet the academic and/or English requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO University of East Anglia offers guaranteed 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 Humanities and Law
International Foundation in Business, Economics, Society and Culture
Alternative Qualifications
UEA recognises that some students take a mixture of International Baccalaureate IB or International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme IBCP study rather than the full diploma, taking Higher levels in addition to A levels and/or BTEC qualifications. At UEA we do consider a combination of qualifications for entry, provided a minimum of three qualifications are taken at a higher Level. In addition some degree programmes require specific subjects at a higher level.
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: 6.5 overall (with no less than 5.5 in any component)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Please click here to see our full list.
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, EU and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
Information on tuition fees can be found here.
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.
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course related costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of other course-related costs.
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Study Philosophy at UEA
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How to Apply
Applications need to be made via the Universities Colleges and Admissions Services (UCAS), using the UCAS Apply option.
UCAS Apply is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time Undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom. It is made up of different sections that you need to complete. Your application does not have to be completed all at once. The system allows you to leave a section partially completed so you can return to it later and add to or edit any information you have entered. Once your application is complete, it must be sent to UCAS so that they can process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The UCAS number for the University of East Anglia is E14.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Please complete our Online Enquiry Form to request a prospectus and to be kept up to date with news and events at the University.
Are Some Risks Too Big To Take?
Study Philosophy at UEA
The Precautionary Principle
UEA Award