Philosophy, BA (Hons)

Philosophy offers profound transformation, pursued for its intrinsic value and its capacity to influence lives, institutions, and society. It addresses curiosity, wonder, anger at injustice, confusion, and the quest for self-understanding. At the University of Nottingham, philosophy not only develops persuasive argumentation and deep critical thinking but also emphasizes practical applications. The unique Communicating Philosophy module connects students with professionals like lawyers and journalists, demonstrating how philosophical skills apply to diverse careers, alongside opportunities for hands-on work experience.The programme begins in the first year with foundational topics in ethics, reasoning, logic, and Western philosophies from ancient Greece, alongside global traditions and contemporary applications. Year two provides complete flexibility in module selection, allowing exploration of areas such as crime, justice, race, gender, politics, theology, environmental philosophy, or global traditions including Indian, Chinese, and Africana perspectives, plus modules on sex, illness, recreation, and mental health. In the third year, students maintain this freedom and may undertake a dissertation on a self-chosen topic, guided by faculty.

The first year introduces you to the essentials of ethics, reasoning and logic while also expanding your sense of what philosophy can do. You explore Western philosophies from ancient Greece onwards as well as world traditions. We’ll also teach you how to apply philosophy to contemporary issues. In year two there there are no compulsory modules – you get a totally free choice. With your choice in philosophy modules you will build on material studied in year one or discover new traditions and disciplines. For instance, 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; or take our distinctive modules on sex, illness, recreation, and mental health. In year three, you continue with your free choice of a wide variety of modules. The dissertation module allows you write a longer piece of work on a topic of your own choosing, supported by a member of staff.