BA (Hons) Philosophy
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- UCAS Course Code
- V500
- Typical Offer
- ABB
- Contextual Offer
- BBC
- Course Length
- 3 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2024
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Why you should choose us
Course Overview
Our philosophy degree is a great opportunity to explore fundamental questions – about ethics, the nature of the good, human and animal minds, the nature of religious belief, and the place of humans in the universe.
Discover how the great thinkers of the past imagined the world and how their radical ideas might still be of the greatest relevance today. Find out how studying philosophy at university can help you to tackle current issues – climate justice, conspiracy theories, and uncertainty in a ‘post-truth’ world.
Prepare to excel in a whole host of careers – teaching, law, environmental work, and more!
Studying philosophy at university is one of the most satisfying ways to spend your student years. It can be 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, this degree is most certainly for you.
A Philosophy degree is a great choice for independent thinkers, and – beyond studying it for its own sake – it will help you prepare for a host of careers that involve asking questions, gathering evidence, drawing conclusions and communicating your arguments and creative solutions to complex problems, such as law, politics, journalism, and even advertising.
You don’t need to have studied Philosophy before joining our philosophy degree programme. You simply need to be curious, ready to ask bold questions, open to learn about different traditions of thought – and to challenge things that many take for granted. Your studies will begin with carefully designed introductory modules, which lay the foundations for later modules.
You’ll study great contemporary thinkers as well as those from the past, grapple with puzzles about ethics, God, and religion, and investigate the nature of the mind and language, and how it relates to the natural and man-made world around us. You can explore the philosophies of the non-Western world, engage with current political or environmental issues, or examine the philosophical ideas coded in literature and other artworks. You'll be taught by experts who contribute through their own research to tackling key questions in all these fields.
You can carve your own path through your studies, especially during 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, 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 philosophy degree also allows you to, if you wish, take one module each year from complementary subjects outside of philosophy. Themes currently on offer include politics, gender studies, psychology and literature or you can design your own research subject as part of the dissertation module.
Philosophy thrives on discussion. That is why you’ll 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 gaining practice with a set of essential creative and critical thinking skills, some for succeeding on specific assessments on individual modules.
Throughout your time studying philosophy at university, you’ll work in close partnership with UEA’s lecturers and professors, whose expertise will provide both motivation and inspiration. Contributing to contemporary philosophical thinking, you'll both be following the guidance of your lecturers and identify new ideas and ways of moving forward on the issues that matter most to you.
Even when studying texts from the past, Philosophy involves fresh thinking, so your modules' content will always be updated and linked to those current problems that deserve our utmost attention and dedication.
Placement Year and Study Abroad
You can expand your horizons by choosing to spend a semester of your second year studying abroad at one of UEA’s partner universities. You spend the autumn semester completing three modules at UEA, then transfer overseas in the spring.
You'll 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 the Study Abroad section of our website.
Employability
After the Course
Philosophy degrees from UEA are tried and tested routes 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’ll have developed by studying philosophy. They include:
- Precise and effective communication skills
- The ability to analyse data and information
- Reasoning, problem-solving and persuasion skills
- Listening carefully to others, with empathy and rigorous attention to detail
- Innovative and original ideas supported by reasons
- A commitment to justice, fairness, integrity, and the desire to do things that are praiseworthy.
Careers
Examples of careers you could enter include:
- Law
- Journalism
- Civil service
- Cultural industries
- Teaching or lecturing
- Charity and environmental work
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
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
- Obtain an overall Pass including a B in the core of the T Level and a Distinction in the Occupational Specialism. Any subject is acceptable.
- BTEC
- DDM Excluding BTEC Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration. See below for accepted subjects and combinations
- Contextual Offer
A Level – BBC
BTEC L3 Extended Diploma – DMM
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.
- Scottish Highers
- AAABB
- Scottish Advanced Highers
- BCC - A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable
- Irish Leaving Certificate
- 3 subjects at H2, 3 subjects at H3
- Access to HE Diploma
- 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 3
- International Baccalaureate
- 32
- GCSE
You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.
- English 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)
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:
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- Interviews
Most applicants will not be called for an interview and a decision will be made via UCAS Hub. 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.
- Deferred Entry
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.
Additional Information or Requirements
Extended Diploma: DDM Excluding BTEC Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration
Diploma: DD plus B at A-Level. Excluding BTEC Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration
Extended Certificate: D plus BB at A-Level. Excluding BTEC Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration
If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as - BA Philosophy with a Foundation Year
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, or are taking a combination of qualifications, please contact us via Admissions Enquiries.
International Requirements
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. View our International Students pages for specific information about your country.
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 or International Foundation in Humanities and Law
Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
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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
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
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: