Skip navigation
You are viewing our beta course page.

Philosophy

  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 21/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
University Park Campus
More about University of Nottingham

Course options

2026-2027
Apply

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

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.

Engaged Arts
All students within the Faculty of Arts can select ‘Engaged Arts’ modules where you’ll approach real world challenges across contemporary themes such as sustainability or equity and justice. These modules have been newly designed to help you gain the skills and analytical abilities that employers are looking for.

Why choose this course?

  • Tailor your degree to your interests – from global philosophical traditions to environmental philosophy to artificial intelligence, our wide range of optional modules lets you study the periods, themes and events which interest you most

  • Research driven learning – engage with cutting-edge research and teachings from experts in the fields of philosophy

  • Ask the big questions – explore the many ways in thinking about what it is to be human

  • Career-ready skills - develop your presentation, organisation, teamwork and leadership skills for a wide range of professions

  • Volunteering opportunities – gain valuable experience and share your passion for philosophy by taking part in our Philosophy in School volunteering project

  • Learn a language alongside your degree – expand your horizons by learning a language alongside your studies with The Language Centre

  • Work experience - Work with our dedicated Faculty of Arts Placements Team to assist with your employability skills development via a range of placements, internships and volunteering opportunities

  • Explore real-world challenges across interdisciplinary themes with our ‘Engaged Arts’ optional modules

Some key statistics
Top 100 in the world for philosophy (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024)
Making the difficult easy – 97% of our students said we are good at explaining things (NSS 2024)

You can also access this course through a Foundation Year. This may be suitable if you have faced educational barriers and do not expect to meet the entry requirements for direct entry to a degree course. Please see the UCAS page for the relevant Foundation Year course for further information.

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-U6UPHISY.html

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • University Park Campus

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 21/09/2026

Apply by
14 January

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
Campus Code:
-
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
14 January

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
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - AAB

General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.

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

RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma DDD

Access to HE Diploma - D: 30 credits M: 15 credits

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

Scottish Higher - AAABB

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

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

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

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

Scottish Advanced Higher - AA

including Scottish Highers AAABB.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 32 points

or 665 in 3 Higher Level certificates

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

Accepted alongside A Levels

Extended Project - A

If you have already achieved your EPQ 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 EPQ you will receive the standard course offer, with a condition of one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject if you achieve an A grade in your EPQ.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D3, M1, M2

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE requirements - English grade C (numeric grade 4)

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.

European Baccalaureate - 80% overall.

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

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted 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

LocationFeeYear
Republic of Ireland£9790*Year 1
EU£24700*Year 1
England£9790*Year 1
Northern Ireland£9790*Year 1
Scotland£9790*Year 1
Wales£9790*Year 1
Channel Islands£9790*Year 1
International£24700*Year 1

* 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

Related courses

At University of Nottingham

Like this page