Overview

Explore fundamental philosophical questions – about ethics, consciousness, God, and the universe. Discover what great thinkers of the past thought, ideas that were radical at the time and still of the greatest relevance today. Use philosophy to tackle current issues – climate justice, and critical thinking in a ‘post-truth’ world. Prepare to excel in a whole host of careers – teaching, law, environmental work and more! Studying philosophy is one of the most exhilarating ways to spend your student years. It’s also life-changing, prompting you to reflect on your values and your contribution to the wider world. If you want to ask difficult questions and challenge the things that others take for granted, you’ll thrive on this degree.

ABOUT

Philosophy is a fantastic degree choice for independent thinkers, and – beyond studying it for its own sake – it will help you prepare for any number of careers that involve asking questions, gathering evidence, drawing conclusions and communicating your arguments, such as law, politics, journalism, and even advertising. You’ll study great contemporary thinkers as well as those from the past, grapple with puzzles about ethics, God and religion, about the mind, and about language and how it relates to the world. What is there? How do we know? Does science have all the answers? What if there is a God? When, if ever, has anyone found the answers to these questions? These are just a few of the questions you’ll investigate. You can explore the philosophies of the non-Western world, engage with burning political or environmental issues, or examine the thinking behind literature or film. And your teachers will be scholars currently engaged in cutting-edge research in all these fields. You can build your own tailored studies through your second and third years, when you’ll have an open choice of philosophy themes to follow. Examples include environmental philosophy, political philosophy, philosophy of language, ethics, philosophy of religion, philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, logic, philosophy of art, literature and film, and various opportunities to study the work of ancient and modern thinkers including some non-Western philosophy. In your final year, you might choose to undertake a one-to-one dissertation or enroll for a small group special subject. Your degree also allows you to, if you wish, take one or two modules each year from complementary subjects outside of philosophy. Themes currently on offer include languages, politics, gender studies, film studies, history, literature, or students can design their own theme in discussion with their adviser. Philosophy thrives on discussion. That is why you will explore and debate topics with your lecturers and fellow students in small discussion groups – as well as through lectures and independent study. You’ll also develop your thinking and communication skills through a variety of types of written work and exercises, some for practice, some for assessment. Throughout your time at UEA, you will work in close partnership with our lecturers and professors, who have produced work that is discussed the world over. Studying at the forefront of philosophical thinking, you will be listening to your lecturers as they develop new ideas and helping them to identify new ways forward. On Philosophy with a Placement Year, you will normally spend 9-12 months of your third year in a placement, gaining invaluable working experience and employability skills in a relevant area of your choice.