This Philosophy BA invites you to explore some of the most profound and intriguing questions about life, existence, and the world. Through studying this course, you will engage with the history of philosophy while addressing contemporary issues, developing your ability to think critically and communicate effectively.
At the heart of this programme is a commitment to philosophical reasoning. You will delve into key areas such as ethics, metaphysics, and existentialism, examining concepts like the nature of reality and human freedom. The course also includes the study of political philosophy and applied philosophy, ensuring you understand both theoretical ideas and their relevance to real-world issues.
The programme blends traditional and modern perspectives, introducing you to philosophical texts that span from historical works to cutting-edge ideas in historical and contemporary philosophy. This foundation helps foster an intellectual curiosity about the world while equipping you with practical skills.
Small group learning is a defining feature of the course. This allows for in-depth discussions, close support from academic staff, and the chance to refine your ideas in a collaborative environment. You will also benefit from opportunities to expand your horizons, with options to study abroad and explore new perspectives. These study abroad opportunities can enhance your learning by providing exposure to different cultures and ways of thinking.
Throughout the programme, you will develop skills that are highly valued in various careers. These career skills include critical thinking and analysis, problem-solving, and effective communication. Whether you aspire to work in education, law, public policy, or another field, the Philosophy BA provides a strong foundation for your future.
By the end of your degree, you will have a deep understanding of philosophical ideas, the tools to approach complex problems, and the ability to articulate your insights clearly. The Philosophy BA at UWTSD is not just a chance to study philosophy but an opportunity to grow intellectually and prepare for a meaningful career. For those ready to ask the big questions, this course offers the perfect starting point.
Course details
- On-campus
- Full-time
- English
Undergraduate Fees
Home (Full-time): £9,535 per year
Overseas (Full-time): £15,525 per year
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
This Philosophy, BA is rooted in a student-focused approach that values small group learning and personalised support. Our teaching encourages intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and independent reasoning. By engaging with historical and contemporary philosophy, students are equipped to explore complex ideas and develop transferable skills for future careers.
The first year introduces you to key areas of philosophy, including ethics, Ancient and Political Philosophy. You will engage with philosophical texts, learning how to analyse arguments and articulate ideas.
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits )
Building on your first year, you will delve deeper into philosophical reasoning and explore specialised areas such as existentialism, metaphysics and Epistemology. Through critical thinking and analysis, you will refine your ability to evaluate complex ideas and apply philosophical principles to contemporary debates. Opportunities to study abroad enrich your understanding of diverse perspectives.
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
Optional
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(60 Credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
In the final year, you will focus on advanced topics and interdisciplinary approaches. A key feature is the Independent Project, where you will research a philosophical topic of your choice, guided by expert academic support. This project consolidates the transferable skills developed throughout the course.
(40 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
(20 credits)
Course Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
Rankings
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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96-112 UCAS Tariff Points - e.g. A-levels: CCC-BBC, BTEC: MMM-DMM, IB: 30-32
The UCAS tariff score is applicable to you if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a  for you to work out what your qualification is worth within the UCAS tariff. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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GCSE grade A*-C (grade 9-4 in England) in English and Mathematics is also required. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è; &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Admissions Advice and Support  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, such as your background, experiences and individual circumstances. This is known as ‘Contextual Admissions’. For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
English language requirements  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visa and funding requirements  &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯â€¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â€¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
 Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed. â¶Ä¯
Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Opportunities to Learn Welsh 
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯â€¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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The programme is assessed in a variety of ways and will include several of the following type of assessment: essays of 1,000 to 4,000 words in length, document analysis, book/ journal reviews, short reports and reflective journals, time tests, seen and unseen exams, field journals, posters, group and individual presentations, dissertations of 10,000 words, wikis, commentaries and film evaluations.
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The Faculty has estimated on the assumption that students buy new copies of the books. Students may also choose to spend money on printing drafts of work.
Students may spend up to £300 per year on books and additional related materials.
Students are expected to submit two hard copies of their final project, the estimated cost for binding these is £20.
Optional Field trip:
Faculty works to ensure that there are a range of fieldwork and field trip options available both locally and internationally. Thus students can opt to take either more expensive or less expensive placements. The Faculty subsidises these but the cost each year is dependent on airfare, location, and currency exchange rates. Below are the upper end of expected costs based on where students have currently done placements.- Fieldwork (depending on where student decides to do fieldwork): c. £500 – £1,500
- Individual trips: c. £5 – £50
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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Philosophy is, in commercial jargon, the ultimate transferable work skill
- Administrative work
- Advocacy and government relations jobs
- Analyst jobs
- Committee work
- Education
- Environmental work
- Ethics advisors and other advisory work
- Fundraising
- Law
- Media and journalism
- NGOs and charities
- Politics and Civil Service