Philosophy and European Languages

On this course you study a choice of two languages (French, German or Spanish) alongside philosophy, exploring our existence using critical thinking and argument, considering life's big issues and questions.

We specialise in continental (European) philosophy and teach key texts from the European tradition, including some of the most exciting thinkers of the last century.

We help you look at how philosophy is important to real-world concerns and contemporary issues by:

• exploring films and artwork
• discussing important scientific and technological developments
• debating controversial ethical issues
• looking at how texts written 300 years ago can be relevant to political situations today

At Levels 1 and 2 you will receive a grounding in ancient and modern philosophy and be introduced to fundamental ideas concerning ethics, epistemology (the nature of knowledge) and metaphysics (the nature of reality).

You then specialise in Levels 3 and 4 by drawing on a range of philosophy modules taught by lecturers engaging in interdisciplinary research.

You will study existentialism in relation to contemporary culture, technology, and film, and topics in aesthetics and the philosophy of art. You will also be encouraged to make links between philosophy and other subjects.

You'll also study modules in each of your languages throughout each year, either as a beginner or at intensive level if you have previously studied the language at Higher/A-Level.

A philosophy degree provides you with wide-ranging skills which are an advantage in any professional career. You will be able to identify and explain the underlying issues in all kinds of debates.

You will also learn to identify arguments from varied sources and traditions and offer clear responses to these arguments. You can summarise points of view which are not your own and will learn the self-discipline required for independent research.

Our philosophy graduates have gone on to postgraduate study and worked in a wide variety of careers including:

• publishing
• social work
• education
• the music industry
• civil service

Studying a language is one of the best ways to make yourself even more employable. Our language graduates have gone on to work all over the world in a range of areas such as:

• teaching English as a second language
• publishing
• tourism
• government
• NGOs
• business