History and Philosophy BA (Hons)
University of Birmingham
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.3) View reviews

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Different course options
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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

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Location

Main Site

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

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Duration

3 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 Years

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Subjects

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Philosophy
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History
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Exam type

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A level
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Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
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England
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Scotland
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Wales
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Northern Ireland
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Course info

Philosophy helps you to acquire the philosophical skills and background knowledge to enable you to engage with some of the deepest questions human beings have ever asked and History can enable you to understand them through past events. If you want to understand the past to prepare for your future in a changing world, studying History is the way forward. As well as covering modern, early modern and medieval, our degree course offers considerable scope to study the wider world. You get the ...Read more

Philosophy helps you to acquire the philosophical skills and background knowledge to enable you to engage with some of the deepest questions human beings have ever asked and History can enable you to understand them through past events. If you want to understand the past to prepare for your future in a changing world, studying History is the way forward. As well as covering modern, early modern and medieval, our degree course offers considerable scope to study the wider world. You get the chance to question some of the prevailing myths, preconceptions and prejudices which surround the writing of History. Philosophy is for people who find they are bothered by questions that their friends can cheerfully ignore; people who do not want to settle for conventional answers and received wisdom, but want to arrive at answers that stand up to the most searching examination. Studying undergraduate Philosophy here will give you access to world-class talent in fields as diverse as Metaphysics, Philosophy of Psychiatry, Epistemology, Ethics, Philosophy of Religion, Philosophy of Mind and many others.Both the History and Philosophy departments at the University of Birmingham have a friendly and relaxed atmosphere in an intellectually challenging and stimulating environment.


Why study this course?


Flexible programme

- Our History and Philosophy Joint Honours degree course offers you a wide range of modules so that you can build a degree programme that suits your interests and enables you to develop your skills in both subjects.


Present day application

- our modules explore how the past informs the present and provides a global historical understanding from the Middle Ages to this century, all through a modern lens.


Get ahead in the graduate market

- take advantage of our work-based placements and employability focused modules and enter the workplace with the skills required to shape the digital and creative agendas of the future.


Rewarding student experience

- At Birmingham we believe that teaching hours should be complemented by a wide-range of academic opportunities and social occasions. Join our community you'll have access to, among many other things, a student experience team who co-ordinate performances, talks, trips, podcasts, quizzes and celebrations and bespoke academic writing advice.


World leading discourse

- The Department is at the forefront of philosophical discussion and debate. We collaborate across disciplines and borders. Our world leading research as part of Mental Health Humanities at Birmingham is pushing the boundaries of cross disciplinary dialogue in the universities dynamic mental health research agenda.


Top 150 for Philosophy in QS World Subject Rankings 2024


11th for Philosophy in the Complete University Guide 2025


13th for History in the Complete University Guide 2025

Key stats

Philosophy
WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
44/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
11th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
13th
History
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 100 = 0% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
0%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
90%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
History graduate salary at this uni
£20,000
UK History graduate salary
£20,000
Philosophy
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 100 = 0% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
0%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
88%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Philosophy graduate salary at this uni
£19,000
UK Philosophy graduate salary
£20,000
What students say
B
Bianca
01 Mar 24

After only a few months here, I feel so well-established already, and have made so many wonderful memories! My priority was to live at home and commute, and the University Train..Read more

A
Amy
23 Feb 24

Lovely campus, great course, good staff. Nice food..Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

AAB Grades / Points required

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

32 Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

DDM Grades / Points required

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

A Level History, Medieval History or Ancient History is preferred but we welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate an interest in and an aptitude for the study of history and politics. Acceptable subjects include: Ancient History, Anthropology, Archaeology, Business Studies, Classical Civilisation, Drama and Theatre Studies, Economics, English Language, English Language and Literature, English Literature, Environmental Studies, Geography, Government and Politics, History, History of Art, Law, Medieval History, Modern or Classical Languages, Music, Philosophy, Psychology, Religious Studies, and Sociology. If you are not studying one or more of the above then please contact us to discuss your application.If you are not taking A level History then we will require GCSE History grade 7 and at least one humanities subject at A level or equivalent.

Accepted in place of A levels with the following grade equivalencies: D2 = A*; D3 = A; M2 = B. Combinations of A levels and Principle subjects are accepted. NB required subjects must be offered (see A level Section)

6,6,5 in Higher Level subjects. Please see A Level details above for subject information.

BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM, plus an A at A-level in the required subject/s mentioned above.BTEC Diploma: DD, plus an A at A-level in the required subject/s mentioned above.BTEC Subsidiary Diploma: D, plus AB at A-level, including an A in the required A-level subject/s mentioned above.

Accepted in place of a non-required A level with the equivalent grade.

Popular A-level subjects

History

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

History
56%
Psychology
46%
English Literature
31%
Biology
20%
Mathematics
17%
HESA
Philosophy

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

Psychology
68%
Religious Studies & Theology
35%
English Literature
28%
History
27%
Biology
26%
HESA

Tuition fees

Students living in

England

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from England

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Scotland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Wales

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Northern Ireland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Channel Islands

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Philosophy reviews

Philosophy
Philosophy
History
B
Bianca
01 Mar 24
Philosophy and Sociology BA (Hons)
After only a few months here, I feel so well-established already, and have made so many wonderful memories! My priority was to live at home and commute, and the University Train...
Read more
A
Amy
23 Feb 24
Philosophy BA (Hons)
Lovely campus, great course, good staff. Nice food...
Read more
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How Philosophy students rated:

Student rating
( 4.2) 12 reviews
5 star
42%
4 stars
50%
3 stars
0%
2 stars
0%
1 star
8%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.3) 1,423 reviews
5 star
40%
4 stars
50%
3 stars
9%
2 stars
1%
1 star
0%
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Uni info

University of Birmingham
Academic and Student Division Birmingham B15 2TT United Kingdom
Nearest train station: University   0.2 miles away
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