Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy and Politics
University of Southampton
About this program
Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy and Politics
What is freedom? What makes a state legitimate? You’ll explore questions that have challenged philosophers and political theorists throughout history on this BA Philosophy and Politics degree. Compulsory modules give a grounding in both subjects, while optional modules include topics like international relations, 21st century crises and Ancient Greek philosophy.
This degree will give you an excellent education in philosophy and politics. In your degree you can:
- develop an understanding of philosophical questions such as ethics, reason and responsibility
- explore fundamental and far-reaching issues about human welfare and social justice, political ideals and political realities
- take core modules on democracy and the modern state
- learn about subfields of political theory, comparative politics and international relations
- conduct research and write your dissertation in one or both subjects
You’ll learn in small groups in a relaxed and friendly environment. Our academic staff's research feeds into the course content.
You can take modules from other disciplines such as anthropology or psychology, studying a language, or choosing from a range of cross-disciplinary modules.
Admission requirements
A-levels
ABB
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level
BTEC
- Distinction, Distinction, Merit in the BTEC Extended Diploma
- Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Diploma plus B in an A level
- Distinction in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AB in two A levels
Other requirements
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
International Students
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English.
For more information about admission requirements, please visit the university website.
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Program content
Year 1
- Ethics
- Introduction to International Relations
- Introduction to Political Theory
- Knowledge and Mind
- Reason and Argument
You must also choose from the following modules in year 1:
- Ancient Greek Philosophy
- Existentialism and its Origins
- Faith and Reason
- Introduction to Political Inquiry
- Introduction to Quantitative Methods
- Political Systems
- Puzzles about Art and Literature
Year 2
- Appearance and Reality
- The Struggle for Democracy
You must also choose from the following modules in year 2:
- Diaspora Politics in Transnational Space
- Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art
- American Political Thought
- Children and Human Rights
- Chinese Politics
- Comparative Party Politics
- Contemporary Theories of Justice
- Critics of Empire: Radical and Revolutionary Political Thinkers of the Global South
- Democratic Theory
- Democratisation in Global Politics: why do some regimes thrive and others flounder?
- Development and International Relations
- Dilemmas of Leadership
- Epistemology: Knowledge and Evidence
- Ethics of Global Poverty
- Ethics of Public Policy
- European Security Governance
- Gender, Power and Politics
- Globalisation and World Politics
- How the Arts Work: A Practical Introduction to Cultural Economics
- Logic
- Metaethics: Facts and Feelings in Ethics
- Metaphysics: The Nature of Reality
- Moral Philosophy
- Partisans, Public Opinion and Elections: Understanding the Political Mind
- Philosophy of Religion
- Political Thinking
- Politics and Protest
- Power and Ethics Before Machiavelli
- Public Policy Analysis
- Qualitative Research in Politics & International Relations
- Realism and Idealism in International Relations
- Reinventing Democracy: Innovation, Participation and Power
- Research Methods in The Social Sciences
- The Mind, The Brain, and Consciousness
- The Politics and Governance of the EU
- Theorising International Politics
Year 3
- Dissertation in Politics & International Relations
- Philosophy Dissertation
You must also choose from the following modules in year 3:
- Advanced Aesthetics: Aesthetic Creativity
- American Political Thought
- Applied Regression Analysis
- Children and Human Rights
- Chinese Politics
- Classical Indian Philosophy
- Comparative Party Politics
- Contemporary Theories of Justice
- Critics of Empire: Radical and Revolutionary Political Thinkers of the Global South
- Democratic Theory
- Democratisation in Global Politics: why do some regimes thrive and others flounder?
- Development and International Relations
- Diaspora Politics in Transnational Space
- Dilemmas of Leadership
- Ethics of Public Policy
- Fiction and Fictionalism
- Gender, Power and Politics
- Globalisation and World Politics
- Happiness and Wellbeing
- How the Arts Work: A Practical Introduction to Cultural Economics
- Nietzsche
- Other Minds
- Partisans, Public Opinion and Elections: Understanding the Political Mind
- Philosophy of Sex
- Politics and Protest
- Power and Ethics Before Machiavelli
- Public Policy Analysis
- Puzzles and Paradoxes
- Self-Knowledge
- The Politics and Governance of the EU
- Wittgenstein's Later Philosophy
Scholarships & funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the university website for more information.
Tuition
- The full tuition price for local/UK students is £9,250
- The price for International/Non-UK students is £19,300
Qualification
- Final award: Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA (Hons))
- Name of Award: Philosophy and Politics
- Interim Exit awards:
- Certificate of Health Studies (CertHE)
- Diploma of Health Studies (DipHE)
- FHEQ level of final award: Level 6
Continuing studies
Our philosophy degrees are also a good foundation for further study at masters or PhD level.
Career paths
You’ll graduate with a wide range of transferable skills such as research, critical thinking, analysis and team working. Career skills are embedded at every stage of our courses and certain modules offer specific teaching in reasoning and communication.
Our philosophy graduates have secured roles as diverse as:
- project manager
- teacher
- human resources (HR) coordinator
- investment analyst
- digital marketing coordinator
- tax consultant
- data analyst
Message the school
About this institute
University of Southampton
The University of Southampton is a top 100 global University with a top 15 UK University place. We are a founding member of the prestigious Russell Group, as demonstrated by our research intensity. We have a wonderful global community, with...
Why study at University of Southampton
The University of Southampton is a welcoming and close knit student community of roughly 22,000 students. We have an international student population which makes up just under 30% of our student body which is wonderful. With 98% of our graduates going into work or further study 6 months after graduation, we offer the chance to study at a world leading Russell Group University whilst safe in the knowledge you will be well on your way to succeeding your chosen career.
Contact info
University of Southampton
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