Philosophy Ethics and Religion

About this course
This BA Philosophy, Ethics and Religion degree at Southampton provides you with the opportunity to explore fundamental and far-reaching issues that have puzzled great thinkers for millennia, but are still relevant today: How should we live? What can we really know? Can religious beliefs be justified? And what is their role in society? You’ll develop the critical skills and understanding required to examine the issues that lie at the intersection of these disciplines, supported by dedicated modules. Through a wide range of optional modules, you will explore topics of historical and contemporary interest, from Indian and Chinese philosophy, to the Ethics of Climate Change, and the issues of Antisemitism and Islamophobia.

You will explore these fundamental questions using the philosophical method of reasoned argument and critical scrutiny. This will give you an opportunity to develop your ability to think critically and consistently, to understand varying points of view, to organise ideas and to work cooperatively with others - skills much in demand by employers. A degree in Philosophy cultivates a deep understanding of human existence, thought, morality, and the nature of reality. Graduates are equipped with impeccable analytical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills – valuable assets in virtually any profession. This is reflected in our Graduate Outcomes where 95% of our Philosophy graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation” (Graduate Outcomes, 2022/2023, published 2025)

Key features of the course

• Customize your degree, with a wide range of optional modules, within Philosophy, Religion and Ethics and across other disciplines.

• Benefit from small group sizes and personalized attention from lecturers and tutors, with a chance to explore your ideas in depth.

• Explore areas of history and philosophy which are rarely taught in UK universities, such as Chinese and Indian philosophy.

• Access to the Southampton Ethics centre, nurturing inter-disciplinary research and outreach, and the Hartley Library, home to the University Archives & Special Collections.

• Study and research through cutting-edge technology at the Digital Humanities facilities, such as virtual reality, 3D scanners and printers, and a 360 degree fully immersive audio-visual centre.

Student Support
Our courses are taught by philosophy experts with an exceptional breadth of interests. We offer high number of contact hours on a wide range of programmes, with a focus on small-group teaching and one-on-one tuition. Beyond academics, you’ll have access to wellbeing resources, peer mentoring, and careers advice, all in a friendly, welcoming community.

Further information
The BA Philosophy, Ethics and Religion is a three-year, full-time course at our Avenue Campus. You can also apply to add a year abroad or placement year, extending your degree to four years. For details, visit our course page.

The programme is designed to ensure that your learning is progressive. You will move from developing foundational skills in the first year, to pursuing your own self-directed research project in the final year.

Year 1: Develop foundational skills in critical thinking and analysis, through modules such as: Reason and Argument and Faith and Reason.
Year 2: Deepen your understanding of Philosophy, Ethics, Religion and the links between them, with dedicated modules such as Philosophy of Religion and Moral Philosophy.
Year 3: Personalise your degree through a self-directed dissertation project on a topic of your choice, and will choose from a range of specialist modules, each led by active researchers in the field.

You will also have the option of further tailoring your degree by choosing optional modules outside of Philosophy, Ethics, and Religion, with subjects including digital humanities and modern languages.

For a full list of modules available please visit the course page.

On this course you will learn through a range of activities that may include lectures, classes and tutorials, coursework, individual and group projects, and independent learning (studying on your own).

You will be able to demonstrate what you have learnt through a variety of assessment methods, such as coursework, laboratory reports, essays, design and problem-solving exercises, debates, oral presentations, dissertations, individual and group projects, written and practical exams.

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor who will offer support and advice throughout your studies. You will also receive feedback throughout your course, enabling you to identify areas for improvement before your work is formally assessed.