BA(Hons) Philosophy (with Foundation Year)

Study a future-facing, interdisciplinary philosophy degree, where you'll focus on applying theory to practice. Your teaching will be centred around core themes, comprising of: Health, Society and Public Ethics; Technology, Environment and Sustainability; and Human Flourishing and Creative Practice.

Why study a philosophy degree?

By examining life's fundamental questions, philosophy helps to shape the way we think about the world. What are the ethical, political, and social questions we need to ask ourselves? How can we change the world using our knowledge?

Exploring questions such as these develops your creativity, rationality, and critical thinking skills, enabling you to think carefully about theoretical problems. You'll learn to apply this knowledge to practical situations in the real world, from artificial intelligence to human creativity.

We firmly believe that philosophy is for everyone, and we're dedicated to providing an inclusive and accessible philosophy course.

Why study at UWE Bristol?

BA(Hons) Philosophy offers a unique and innovative approach to studying philosophy, standing out for its practice-based philosophy, interdisciplinary integration, and future-thinking perspective.

Our course equips you to think critically and creatively. You'll be encouraged to question your own preconceptions and cultural biases to foster a deeper understanding of the world.

We understand that philosophy isn't just about abstract ideas; it's about real-world impact, and our collaborations with the Bristol Robotics Laboratory and Bristol Centre for Synthetic Biology have provided previous students with invaluable experiences.

UWE Bristol remains one of the premier destinations to study continental philosophy in the UK. Our expertise in European traditions, including German idealism, 20th-century French philosophy, phenomenology, and hermeneutics, stands out.

Our commitment to postcolonial, decolonial, and indigenous philosophies ensures that you'll be exposed to diverse global perspectives, enriching your philosophical education and prepares you to engage with philosophies from around the world.

Where can a philosophy degree take me?

BA(Hons) Philosophy will transform you into an innovative thinker able to bring new perspectives to many professions. Our graduates have thrived in academia and the business sector, showcasing the critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills they've gained through this course.

Careers / Further study

By the end of our philosophy course, you'll be equipped with the critical thinking, argumentation, and communication skills that employers value highly. You'll develop fundamental transferable skills crucial for future employability, such as open-mindedness, entrepreneurship, empathy, and teamwork.

You'll learn to think carefully about theoretical problems, form coherent arguments, and articulate your solutions. You'll develop a deep, critical knowledge of key contemporary issues in philosophy, such as mental health, environmental crisis, and digital innovation. Plus, you'll analyse important facets of the human experience, such as race, gender, and sexuality.

UWE Bristol is a branch of the Royal Institute of Philosophy and members of the British Philosophical Association, ensuring our teaching contains the latest developments in the field. You'll also benefit from our industry connections, offering you professional opportunities such as attending public engagement events.

As a graduate from a philosophy degree, you could find employment in a diverse range of sectors. These include education and teaching, academic research, law, finance, the creative industries, healthcare, social work, not-for-profit organisations (NGOs), entrepreneurship, or the civil service.

Many students also progress to postgraduate study in philosophy, law and other subjects. Visit our employability pages to learn more about careers, employers and what our students are doing six months after graduating.

Our award-winning careers service helps you develop your employment potential through career coaching, a vacancy service for internships, placements, jobs, global opportunities, volunteering and community activity plus support for entrepreneurial activity, and access to employer events.