Philosophy

This course offers you both depth and breadth over three years of exciting and challenging study. Our students reach a high level of attainment and are well prepared for postgraduate study, both in philosophy and many other subjects.

This course equips you with skills, including textual analysis, clear written and verbal expression, and critical thinking, that are valuable in a wide range of careers.

In your first year, you will gain a grounding in the fundamentals of philosophy through two mandatory introductory units: one exploring issues in epistemology and metaphysics and the other concerning moral and political philosophy. You will also take units in critical thinking and logic and a choice of other units, which have recently included Readings in Value Theory and Knowledge and Reality. You may also take units outside the department in your first year.

In your second year, you complete your foundation in philosophy with mandatory units and conduct more detailed study from ethics to the philosophy of language.

In your final year, you may work for an independent study unit on almost any topic in philosophy, writing an extended essay in consultation with a supervisor. Final-year taught units relate to the research interests of staff in areas ranging from global justice to philosophy of physics.