Philosophy

Our BA (Hons) Philosophy course is designed not only to teach you to critically engage with our world’s rich philosophical history, but to empower you to become an independent, persuasive and influential citizen. This course is designed to help you to engage with new perspectives, to communicate effectively, and to shape the world around you. It will enrich your knowledge of one of the longest-standing academic disciplines and deepen your capacity to communicate, listen, and persuade – attributes that are essential in the digital age.

You will begin by establishing a strong foundation in philosophical enquiry, addressing key global issues like sustainability, artificial intelligence, and social justice, while also developing important digital skills. You will go one to explore traditional philosophical topics alongside contemporary debates on gender, race, and sexuality, and offers opportunities to gain certification in areas like Carbon Literacy. In your final year you will be able to investigate a specialised areas of interest completing a project that showcases your research and communication skills.

At every level you will be introduced to arguments and texts that are fascinating and globally significant in themselves, and which will also prepare you for your future career. Our assessments have been designed in consultation with industry partners, enabling you to apply your developing philosophical knowledge and skills to real-world situations.

This course has a foundation year available.

Features and Benefits

• Learn from experts - our academics are specialists in their fields, producing cutting-edge research across Anglo-American and Continental European philosophical traditions. And because we bring our expertise into the classroom, you can be confident you’re learning at the forefront of your discipline.

• Wide range of modules - from your second year you’ll choose from a diverse range of option modules, allowing you to pursue your own interests, including Feminist Ethics and Gender, Race and Sexuality.

• Inclusive curriculum - we offer an inclusive, interdisciplinary curriculum that engages with philosophical thought outside of mainstream Western philosophy and centres the principles of equity, diversity and inclusivity - this will enable you to successfully challenge established modes of thought.

• Assessments - we’ll encourage you to think deeply, critically and creatively through a variety of assessment methods including learning diaries, portfolios, presentations and short essays.

• Employability - we place a strong emphasis on key employability skills, ensuring you have the digital, communication and team-working abilities that employers value. We also offer a distinctive link to the PGCE provision at Manchester Met through the final year Philosophy of Education 1 and 2 modules.

• The Human Sciences Research Seminar Series - a fixture at the University for 40 years and funded by the Royal Institute of Philosophy, it has hosted internationally renowned thinkers, and today offers you the chance to hear from leading philosophers at the forefront of their research specialisms.

• Dedicated Support - we believe that a first-class learning experience starts with an open, inclusive, welcoming, and supportive pedagogical environment. The philosophy staff provide rigorous and enjoyable research-led teaching that intellectually stimulates, challenges, and inspires you – both in-person and online.

• Placement or study abroad flexibility - you will have the opportunity to spend your third year studying abroad or boost your career prospects with a placement in industry.