Our BA Continental Philosophy is for you, if you want to take philosophy back to its roots in lived experience and everyday existential, social and political problems it is for you if you want to rigorously examine the fundamental questions of human life and embark with others on a journey that will transform how you understand yourself and the world you live in. The BA Continental Philosophy is for you, if you are not content with understanding the challenges that we are facing as individuals and societies, but want to be part of a community that creatively explores ways of thinking and living differently in response to these challenges. We offer the only BA in Continental Philosophy in the entire UK.

Philosophy at Essex has an international reputation for being an outstanding centre for Continental Philosophy because we have leading expertise in:

Existentialism (e.g., Kierkegaard, Nietzsche)

Phenomenology (e.g., Husserl, Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty)

Critical Theory (e.g., Marx or Frankfurt School theorists like Adorno, Habermas, Honneth)

German Idealism (e.g., Kant and Hegel)

Contemporary French Thought (e.g., Foucault, Derrida, Rancière)

In addition to the areas mentioned above, students on our BA Continental Philosophy can study a wide range of topics (from the meaning of life to capitalism and its critics, from ancient philosophy to current debates about gender and sustainability) and modules (from ethics to political philosophy, from philosophy of religion to philosophy of mind). In short, at Essex we give you the flexibility to design a curriculum the suits your interests and passions.

We've been ranked 3rd for philosophy for overall positivity score (National Student Survey 2024).

Study abroad

Your education extends beyond the university campus. We support you in expanding your education through offering the opportunity to spend a year or a term studying abroad at one of our partner universities. The four-year version of our degree allows you to spend the third year abroad or employed on a placement abroad, while otherwise remaining identical to the three-year course.

Placement year

Alternatively, you can spend your third year on a placement year with an external organisation, where you learn about a particular sector, company or job role, apply your academic knowledge in a practical working environment, and receive inspiration for future career pathways. You will be responsible for finding your placement, but with support and guidance provided by both your department and our Student Development Team.