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Philosophy

  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 20 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
University Park Campus
More about University of Nottingham

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Philosophy trains you to argue persuasively and think deeply. You might be full of curiosity and wonder, anger and confusion, or a desire to make sense of yourself and the world. Philosophy covers all these bases and more.

At Nottingham, you’ll be introduced to the essentials of ethics, reasoning and logic while also expanding your sense of what philosophy can do. With our wide range of optional modules, you’ll be able to tailor your degree to the topics which interest you most, while also learning how to apply your knowledge in real world situations, developing your communication, project planning, and presentation skills.

Extensive module choice

The first year introduces you to the essentials of ethics, reasoning and logic while also expanding your sense of what philosophy can do. You're then free to choose from our unusually wide range of optional topics. You can:

  • explore crime and justice, race and gender, politics and theology

  • examine emerging areas like environmental and social philosophy

  • investigate global philosophical traditions - Western, Indian, Chinese and Africana

  • take our distinctive modules on sex, illness, recreation, and mental health

You’ll be encouraged to ask the big questions and explore the many ways in thinking about what it is to be human.

Looking to your future

Philosophy trains you to argue persuasively and think deeply. Philosophy at Nottingham doesn't stop there. We also want you to live good lives and have good jobs. Our unique Communicating Philosophy module lets you work with professionals such as lawyers and journalists and see how you can apply your new philosophical skills to a range of careers. There's also plenty of opportunities to get practical work experience.

Our dedicated Faculty of Arts placement team will assist you with your employability skills development via a range of placements, internships and volunteering opportunities.

Course highlights

Proven results

  • We’re ranked top 20 in the UK for philosophy (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 and Complete University Guide 2026).

  • The average starting salary for philosophy and theology and religious studies undergraduates within 15 months of graduation was £28,500 (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2022/23).

Modules

Course Modules

For detailed information about the modules you will study, please visit the course page: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/courses/UG/Philosophy-BA-Hons.html

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/courses/UG/Philosophy-BA-Hons.html

Assessment method

For detailed information about the course assessment methods please visit the course page:https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/courses/UG/Philosophy-BA-Hons.html

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • University Park Campus

Study options

  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) • Full-Time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 20 September 2027

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
V500
Institution code:
N84
Campus name:
University Park Campus
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Nottingham has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
V500
Institution code:
N84
Campus name:
University Park Campus

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
AAB

General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish Higher
AAABB

This qualification is only acceptable when combined with Advanced Higher grades AA and above.

Access to HE Diploma
Distinction: 30 Merit: 15

Pass the Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at level 3, distinction in 30 credits at Level 3 and 15 credits at Merit.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE requirements - English grade C (numeric grade 4)

Scottish Advanced Higher
AA

including Scottish Highers AAABB.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

RQF Level 3 BTEC National Diploma DD plus 1 A Level grade A.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 32

or 665 in 3 Higher Level certificates

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

Accepted alongside A Levels

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma DDD

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate D plus 2 A Levels grades AB

AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies (Core Maths)
A

If you have already achieved your Core Maths Qualification at grade A you will automatically be offered one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject. If you are still studying for your Core Maths Qualification you will receive the standard course offer, and also an alternate offer with a condition of one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject if you achieve an A grade in your Core Maths Qualification. If you qualify for a contextual offer, your Core Maths will be taken into consideration and the appropriate adjustment will be made to your offer.

Applicants to this course may be eligible for our Additional Qualifications Offer Reduction Scheme. If you achieve a grade A in an EPQ, Core Maths*, IB Extended Essay or additional AS level qualification* then you will receive a one grade reduced offer for this course.

Please note that if you qualify for an enhanced contextual offer or receive an alternative offer based on taking four A levels, your additional qualification will not be taken into consideration as we are unable to make any further adjustments to your offer.

  • Additional eligibility requirements apply. View further details on this scheme.
    https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/articles/applying/entry-requirements.html

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5(no less than 6.0 in any element) English language requirements As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. Check our English language policies and equivalencies for further details. For presessional English or one-year foundation courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a Presessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) course. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK. If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We consider applicants solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential – we use exam grades to prioritise applicants but look at a range of factors and aim to give everyone an equal opportunity to show their achievements.

We understand that background and personal circumstances can have an impact on academic performance at school or college. Applicants who are eligible under our contextual admissions policies may be considered for a reduced contextual offer.

Learn more on the University of Nottingham website

International entry requirements

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Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
EU & InternationalTBC
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland£10050*

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

View undergraduate tuition fees for UK and international students: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/fees/tuitionfees/202627/undergraduate.aspx

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