Skip navigation

Philosophy, Politics, Ethics

  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 28 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Brighton
More about University of Brighton

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
Apply

Course summary

Philosophy is concerned with understanding and evaluating the world. Students on our degree examine today’s global challenges, from climate change, war and AI, to inequality, racism and colonialism.

Taught by experts and learning in small seminar groups, you will investigate the assumptions, beliefs and values that shape human behaviour and societies, gaining a critical understanding of the political and ethical issues facing our increasingly interconnected and divided world.

You will develop skills in public-speaking, group work, research, and critical analysis. You’ll learn how to think, read, and write with greater clarity and skill, and how to speak with greater authority and confidence.

Our PPE degree opens up many career opportunities in sectors including publishing, NGOs, civil service, teaching, law and media.

TOP REASONS TO CHOOSE THIS COURSE

  • An intellectual adventure with real-world application: you'll be encouraged to apply theoretical approaches to real-world issues, preparing you to address contemporary global challenges.

  • Expert staff: your teaching team includes academics who develop leading research as part of the Centre for Applied Philosophy, Politics and Ethics.

  • Transferable skills: you'll develop knowledge and skills that will help you to achieve your goals, whether in a career or as a citizen.

  • Small group assessed seminars: a distinctive feature of this course is its focus on verbal communication, helping you to develop your capacity to discuss and debate ideas, and to speak confidently and clearly in public. Group and individual presentations feature prominently in seminar work and our final year project includes an oral presentation.

  • Gain work experience: you have the opportunity to take a placement in year 2 enabling you to put your skills and knowledge into action.

  • An interdisciplinary approach: by drawing on, and combining, various disciplines to understand topics you will develop a deep and multilayered approach to contemporary issues.

  • An engaging curriculum: our curriculum is designed to be both challenging and stimulating, with a mix of lectures, seminars, debates and collaborative projects. There are no written exams.

  • Join a vibrant community: our student and academic community is friendly and diverse. Students are encouraged to join reading groups and attend public lectures and workshops with visiting researchers, politicians, activists and writers

Modules

Year 1
Politics in Practice
Political Ideas
Philosophical Inquiry
Global Ethics
Freedom and Truth in Crisis
Tools for Critical Thinking

Year 2
Critical Traditions in Western Thought 1 and 2

Specialist option pathways
Self and Society
Morality, Politics and the Good Life
Politics-History-Ideology
Race and Resistance
Philosophy and Literature

Option pathways from wider humanities subject area
Contemporary Global Challenges
Global Politics
Globalisation, History and Identity
Radical Histories

Optional Placement Year

Final year
Dissertation
Specialist option pathways
Self and Society
Morality, Politics and the Good Life
Race and Resistance
Philosophy and Literature

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

This course is available in Clearing. If you have submitted an application, you can add this course. If you haven’t sent us an application yet, you can do this until 24th September 2026.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Brighton

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 28 September 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:
LV25
Institution code:
B72
Campus name:
Brighton
Campus Code:
B
Points of Entry:
Year 1, 2

University of Brighton 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:
LV25
Institution code:
B72
Campus name:
Brighton
Campus Code:
B

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
104 - 120 points

A level
BBB - BCC

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

Access to HE Diploma
P: 45 credits

Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits, to include at least 45 credits at Level 3. Access courses in Humanities, History or Politics are preferred.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
26 points

Must include three subjects at Higher Level.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H3, H3, H3, H4, H4

Or equivalent combination of grades.,

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)66.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5. in each element, or equivalent English Language qualification.

Review our English Language requirementshttps://www.brighton.ac.uk/international/applying-here/how-to-apply/english-language-requirements/index.aspx

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.

At Brighton we recognise that not everyone's background provides the same advantages, and we know that grades are not the only indicator of potential.

If you meet our contextual admissions criteria we will make you an offer which is at least 16 UCAS points lower than our standard offer. You may also be eligible for additional financial and practical support from us through the Brighton Boost cost of living support package.

Learn more on the University of Brighton website

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

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

Fees are payable each year and will increase annually in line with inflation.

Tuition fees for full-time UK / Home undergraduate students in academic year 2026–27
Annual course fees:

Honours degree £9,790
Placement year £1,958
Integrated foundation year (except the School of Business and Law) £9,790
Integrated foundation year in the School of Business and Law* £5,760*
*The £5,760 fee is for the foundation year only. Subsequent years are charged at the regulated undergraduate fee.

Many courses include the option of a salaried placement year. Tuition fees for a placement year are charged at a lower rate.

Regulated fees:
Tuition fees for UK / Home students on undergraduate courses in England are set by the UK government and are known as regulated fees. From academic year 2026–27 onwards, regulated fees will increase annually in line with forecast inflation. The regulated fee will be £9,790 in academic year 2026–27 and £10,050 in academic year 2027–28 (subject to parliamentary approval).

Standard tuition fees for full-time international students in academic year 2026–27:

Classroom-based courses £17,796–19,692
Laboratory or studio-based courses £17,796–19,692
Placement year £1,958

Related courses

At University of Brighton

Like this page