BA (Hons) Placement year available

Philosophy

Grapple with the big questions that have puzzled humans for centuries and discover how great minds have tried to answer them.

‘Who are we?’, ‘what can we know?’, and ‘what should we do to lead worthwhile lives?’ are just a few of the questions you’ll consider as you discover how great minds, past and present, have tried to answer them.

As a BA (Hons) Philosophy student at ARU, you'll understand both the history of philosophy, as well as cutting edge debates in contemporary philosophy, within areas such as the Philosophy of AI, Ethics and the Philosophy of Art.

Your studies will be supported by our expert philosophy lecturers, who offer one-to-one tutoring and personalised feedback. In the National Student Survey 2023, our Philosophy courses scored: 93% for Student Voice; 92% for the Teaching on my Course; 92% for Learning Opportunities; 90% for Assessment and Feedback; and 90% for Academic Support.

Why ARU?
  • In the National Student Survey 2023 our Philosophy courses scored: 93% for Student Voice; 92% for the Teaching on my Course; 92% for Learning Opportunities; 90% for Assessment and Feedback; and 90% for Academic Support.

  • Engage in philosophical discussions and debates through our student-led Philosophy Society.

  • Attend events like our Royal Institute of Philosophy lecture series.

  • Boost your employability: learn a language, take a placement year, and solve live briefs for real-world organisations.

  • No exams! You’ll show your progress through methods likely to be used in the workplace.

Logo: THE Awards 2023
 

Study at an award-winning university

We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

Course options

Course options

Key facts

Looking for different course options?

Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.

Year 1
  • Ancient Philosophy
  • Reason and Argument: An Introduction to Philosophy
  • Political Thought
  • The World Religions
  • Into ARU
Year 2
  • Ethics in Theory
  • Kant and the Empiricists
  • Mind and Consciousness
  • Ruskin Module (15 credits)
  • Philosophy of Art and Image *
  • Philosophical Texts: From Descartes to Kant *
  • Anglia Language Programme (15 credits) *
  • Professional Placement *
Year 3
  • Knowledge and Doubt: From Antiquity to the Digital Age
  • Philosophy Research Project
  • Nature and the Absolute *
  • Concepts of Good and Evil *
  • Issues in Modern Philosophy *
  • Global Feminisms *
  • Research Communication *
  • Anglia Language Programme (15 credits) *
  • Communication, Flesh, Philosophy *
Module details

To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.

Year 1
  • Foundation in Humanities, English, Media, Social Sciences and Education
Module details

You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.

Year 3
  • Work Placement - Humanities and Social Sciences
Module details

Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.

Facilities

Join our student community and benefit from award-winning learning facilities including extensive library and IT resources. You can access support with careers and employability, study skills, health and wellbeing, and more. 

Take a guided tour and meet our students.

Student experience

Careers

Our BA (Hons) Philosophy graduates go on to work in a variety of fields, including new media, recruitment, events management, marketing, charities, teaching, law or medicine (via a conversion course), the Civil Service, or local government. Some even set up their own independent businesses.

Our degree course is designed to help you develop and think about the skills you need to enter your chosen career from day one. The problem-solving, critical and creative thinking, judgement, analysis and communication skills our philosophy students gain are highly valued by employers. You’ll also learn to work well independently and as part of a team, and may develop attitudes and viewpoints that are much appreciated in the workplace.

You could also learn more, develop a specialism or start an exciting career in research by continuing on to a Masters degree. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

Employability and personal career development

Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules.

You will need to dedicate time outside of your course to develop your employability, through placements, internships or volunteering or through our partner scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). You can evidence this experience on your CV and talk about it in interviews to give you that all important edge.

Our Employability and Careers Service offers a range of expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile, including tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, and help to complete job applications. You’ll have 24/7 access to the Careers Centre, our comprehensive online digital resource, which empowers you to start building a Personal Career Development Plan from the very start. Design your future at ARU.

Entry Requirements

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Fees and Paying for University

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UK students

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Foundation year available

This course offers a foundation year – an extra year of study to help you prepare for university, and build your knowledge and skills.

More about foundation years