Philosophy

Description

Philosophy is the most ancient of academic disciplines, yet the uncertainties of modern living make the traditional philosophical challenges even more pressing in the 21st century. During a degree in Philosophy at Southampton, you will critically consider the work of the great Philosophers of the past while engaging with cutting edge contemporary debates. Our course received 100% satisfaction in the 2013 NSS, placing us first in the UK.

A Philosophy degree at Southampton provides you with an excellent and rigorous education exploring fundamental and far-reaching issues. You will engage with questions that have puzzled great thinkers for millennia but are still relevant today: What can I really know? Is there a God? Is my mind something distinct and separable from my body? Can there be objective facts in ethics and politics?

You will explore these fundamental questions using the philosophical method of reasoned argument and critical scrutiny. This will give you an unparalleled opportunity to develop your ability to think clearly, critically and consistently, to understand varying points of view, to organise ideas and to work cooperatively with others - skills much in demand by employers.

The flexible programme allows you to design your own path of study by choosing from a wide and varied selection of modules ranging from Existentialism to The Ethics of Belief, from Puzzles about Art and Literature to Happiness and Well-Being.

We offer the chance to explore topics in other subject areas, whether in the Humanities, the Social Sciences or the Sciences, which will both broaden and deepen your knowledge and understanding.

You will also have the opportunity to spend a semester, a year or a summer at one of our international partner universities in Asia, Europe, and the Americas to experience a new culture.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 14660 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

You will have every opportunity to develop your own thoughts on philosophical issues and to engage in philosophical debate.

Year one offers lecture-based modules focusing on central themes, designed for students new to philosophy as well as those who have some familiarity with the subject, alongside staff-led tutorials involving three to five students.

In year two you will take a core module in the history of philosophy, accompanied by small-group seminars, and choose from a range of optional modules.

You will write a dissertation in your final year, as well as taking further optional modules.

Over each year you take eight modules, or the equivalent, four in each semester.

Learn a language

If your programme allows you to choose free elective modules, you can also take a credit bearing language module. These are split into seven stages, from absolute beginner to near-native speaker level. Please email your Student Office if you have any queries regarding your module options.

Innovation modules outside of your discipline

Our Curriculum Innovation Programme offers our students the chance to take optional modules outside their core disciplines. This allows you to personalise your education, to develop new skills and knowledge for your future.

Requirements

A Levels:

AAB to ABB from 3 A levelsor

ABB from 3 A levels and A in Extended Project Qualification

IB:

34 or 32 points overall, 17 or 16 at higher level

International Foundation Year

International students who do not currently meet our entry requirements may be able to join this course on successful completion of our International Foundation Year. For more information visit the IFY course page

Selection process:

Intake: 75 Average applicants per place: 6

UCAS application and some interviews.

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 Southampton.