Philosophy

Description

Philosophy requires imagination and careful attention to standards of argument. From the start of your studies, you have a chance to develop both these skills in courses ranging across time from the Ancient Greeks to the most up-to-the-minute research.

Themes distinctive to UEA include philosophy and film, unusual opportunities to explore ancient philosophy and several modules with a literary focus. The important thing about philosophy is that most of it has nothing to do with finding answers, though it has a lot to do with testing possible answers, and often discovering why they are not the answers. Rather, it is about learning to ask more, and better, questions.

Course Structure

In the first year, you take four introductory philosophy modules – designed to equip every student, with previous experience of philosophy or not, with the necessary skills to succeed at honours level – and add two options from other Schools, normally history, literature, world art, linguistics, politics or economics.

In years two and three, the selection of core and optional modules in philosophy allows you to design a coherent programme around your own interests. You must do a certain number of subject-based modules, eg mind or ethics, and a certain number of historically-based modules, eg Kant or empiricism (philosophy comes alive through its history, which we study because it is useful to engage in critical dialogue with great minds of the past). Outside of these requirements, your choice of philosophy modules is entirely free. Some choose the dissertation module in the final year: any student who qualifies through a sufficiently strong performance in their second year may substitute for one of their taught modules a module in which they are supervised to write a 10,000-word dissertation on a philosophical subject of their own choosing.

This is especially recommended for students thinking of going on to do postgraduate study. In year 2 you are also entitled to study two free choice modules, which can be chosen from any eligible module within the University. You may do more philosophy, or may broaden your interests by taking other modules from the humanities, or from sciences or the social sciences. Or you can take a language or a practical career-based module, in preparation for employment after university.

In this way, within the general framework of the degree, every student can build up a degree programme that best suits their own skills and interests.

Detailed Course Facts

• EUR 10550 Year (EEA)
• EUR 14400 Year (Non-EEA)

UK/EU Students: £9,000. International Students: £12,300

• English

Course Content

Teaching and Assessment

Philosophy thrives on discussion and the exchange of views. Only some parts of it can be done in large lecture classes. So we do have some of those—but when we do, they are designed to set you thinking, not to tell you facts. It's about learning how to think, and how to express what you think, not learning what to say. All the units have small group seminars or tutorials in which you work on the problems with a member of staff.

During the year your written work is marked by the seminar tutors. They give you comments and feedback to help you improve. Time is set aside for you to call on the lecturers to discuss your work or to get individual guidance.

Assessment is by a mixture of essays, longer projects or dissertation, and examinations. Each unit has its own mix of assessment. The degree result is calculated from the results of all the units in your final two years. You can find more information on the modules available on this course on the 'Course Profile' page.

Year Abroad

One semester can be spent in Finland, Germany or Greece on the ERASMUS exchange programme.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5 TOEFL iBT® test : 88

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

• A Level:

• International Baccalaureate:

• Scottish Highers:

• Scottish Advanced Highers:

• Irish Leaving Certificate:

• Access Course:

• HND:

• European Baccalaureate:

Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students from all academic backgrounds. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading). Recognised English Language qualifications include:

• IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in Reading and Writing with no less than 5.5 in any component)
• TOEFL: Internet-based score of 88 overall (minimum 20 in Reading and Speaking components, 19 in Writing component and 17 in Listening components.
• PTE: 62 overall (minimum 55 in Reading and Writing components with no less than 51 in any component).

If you do not meet the University's entry requirements, our INTO Language Learning Centre offers a range of university preparation courses to help you develop the high level of academic and English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.

Interviews

The School does not currently interview all applicants for undergraduate entry as standard, however we may interview mature students, those returning to study or applicants with alternative qualifications. All applicants who are made an offer are given the opportunity to meet with an academic on a Visit Day in order to gain a deeper insight into the course(s) you have applied for.

Gap Year

Normally there is not a problem in deferring entry for a year. Offers are made in the usual way to applicants who ask for deferred entry.

Special Entry Requirements

There are no specific subjects that are required in order to take up Philosophy, and it is not necessary to have studied any Philosophy before. We are keen to see some arts or humanities subjects that involve academic work, including writing essays and reading texts. Good results in Mathematics, Music or Latin are also an indicator for doing well in Philosophy - because of the kind of rigour which they instil.

Intakes

The School's annual intake is in September of each year.

Alternative Qualifications

If you have alternative qualifications that have not been mentioned above, then please contact university directly for further information.

GCSE Offer

Students are required to have GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English Language at grade C or above.

Assessment

For the majority of candidates the most important factors in assessing the application will be past and future achievement in examinations, academic interest in the subject being applied for, personal interest and extra-curricular activities and the confidential reference.

We consider applicants as individuals and accept students from a very wide range of educational backgrounds and spend time considering your application in order to reach an informed decision relating to your application. Typical offers are indicated above. Please note, there may be additional subject entry requirements specific to individual degree courses.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of East Anglia.