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Philosophy at UEA
Find out more about studying Philosophy at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreBA (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 2025
Other Start Dates
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Other Start Dates
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 relevance today. Find out how studying philosophy can help you to tackle current issues – climate justice, conspiracy theories, and uncertainty in a ‘post-truth’ world.
UEA philosophy’s staff reflects this great diversity, as we teach and research across a broad range of topics. This means you can tailor your degree to reflect your interests. Our seminar system will allow you to present and test your own ideas in a supportive environment, and we have a varied means of assessment of the skills you’ll develop during your learning journey.
Our goal is to bring out the best in you. You’ll be equipped with a brilliant range of analytical skills for both presenting complex ideas simply, and criticising poor arguments or dubious appeals to evidence. These are exactly the skills many employers prize and our graduates go on to exciting and rewarding careers in teaching, government, journalism, law, environmental work, business, the arts, and beyond.
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.
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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’ll 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.
Careers
Career Pathways
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.
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.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4
In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Contextual Offers
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(opens in a new window).
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
A levels
ABB
Contextual offer: BBC
BTEC
DDM
Contextual offer: DMM
Combinations of BTEC and A levels
Diploma: DD plus B at A level.
Contextual: DD plus C at A level.
Extended Certificate: D plus BB at A level.
Contextual: D plus BC at A level.
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers
Access to HE Diploma
Access to Humanities and Social Sciences Pathway. Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 30 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 15 credits at Level 3.
T levels
Not accepted
Foundation Year Options:
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 (Hons) Philosophy (with a Foundation Year)
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
32 points overall.
Irish Leaving Certificate
3 subjects at H2, 3 subjects at H3
Scottish Highers
AAABB or above.
Scottish Advanced Highers
BCC or above.
A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
- 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.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy(opens in a new window) applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4
In place of Mathematics GCSE we can also consider Functional Skills Level 2 Mathematics
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
A levels
ABB
International Baccalaureate
32 points overall
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students(opens in a new window)
- INTO UEA
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.
- 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):
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(opens in a new window) 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:
- 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.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy(opens in a new window) applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- T Levels
- Obtain an overall Pass including a B in the core of the T Level and a Distinction in the Occupational Specialism.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees(opens in a new window).
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(opens in a new window) 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. (opens in a new window)
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: