Philosophy, BA (Hons)

The study of philosophy at Durham addresses profound questions about human life, such as the essence of a flourishing existence and the interplay between individual happiness, relationships, society, and culture. This research-led program, delivered by internationally renowned experts, offers a broad curriculum spanning Anglo-American analytical and continental philosophy, with special strengths in the philosophy of science and social science. Students benefit from extensive variety, including options for a placement year or study abroad, and progress from introductory modules in the first year to more focused studies and an independent dissertation in the third year.In the first year, core modules introduce ethics, knowledge, reality, and philosophical traditions, alongside options like Science, Medicine and Society. The second year builds critical skills through specialized topics, while assessment methods vary, typically involving essays, examinations, and a final-year dissertation for in-depth exploration of personal interests.

Year 1 Core modules: Ethics and Values provides a structured introduction to moral philosophy, including applied ethics, by exploring key moral concepts and showing how they influence moral practices and theories. Knowledge and Reality introduces philosophical problems in epistemology (the study of knowledge), and metaphysics (the study of reality and ourselves). Philosophical Traditions introduces a range of philosophical approaches which provides grounding for the key explanatory and interpretative skills expected at later stages of the degree. The module also introduces the practice of researching and writing philosophy by examining ways in which philosophers shape knowledge in particular areas. Reading Philosophy allows you to acquire an understanding of the issues of interpretation and comprehension in reading primary authors, through a detailed study of four thematically related texts. In recent years, optional modules have included: Science, Medicine and Society Being Human: An Introduction to Post-Kantian Philosophy.