Philosophy

Philosophy is the application of rigorous analysis and argument to integral questions of human intellectual history concerning the fundamental nature of reality and the nature of human existence. Ours is a dynamic department, with an established reputation in research and teaching. You will learn the basics of logic, metaphysics, epistemology, ethics and political philosophy, and will be able to explore your own interests through specialised units and independent research.

Philosophy courses

Single honours

BA Philosophy (V500)

Joint honours

Why study Philosophy at Bristol?

Studying Philosophy at Bristol gives you the opportunity to delve into some of the deepest questions that have puzzled the great thinkers, by applying the rigorous analysis and argument, distinctive of the western ‘analytic’ philosophical tradition. You will be part of a heritage of philosophy in the South West that includes John Locke and Thomas Hobbes.

A distinguishing feature of our courses is that you will cover the basic topics that form the groundwork to philosophy (metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, philosophy of mind, language and science) in your first two years, leaving the third year for more advanced, specialised study on units offered by lecturers in their own fields of research specialisation. These include Philosophy of Psychology, Philosophy of Biology, Theories of Justice, Kant’s Theoretical Philosophy, and Art and the Understanding. You may also have the opportunity to study at the University of Maryland, USA on an exchange programme during your second year. Exchange programmes are also available at other worldwide exchange partners.

What kind of student would this course suit?

You will need to have a love of reading, and a willingness to spend long hours poring over difficult and demanding texts, trying to extract their meaning. You will have a love of analysis and argument, and will relish the prospect of engaging in rigorous argument both with the great philosophers of the past and with your tutors and fellow-students. You will approach fundamental questions concerning what exists and how we should live with an open mind, prepared to follow the arguments where they lead, and you will be correspondingly impatient of mere waffle and prejudice. If this description fits you, you will find yourself well suited to the study of Philosophy at university.

How is this course taught and assessed?

Philosophy at Bristol is formally taught by a mixture of lectures, seminars, group tutorials, and individual tutorials. But for every hour of formal teaching, you should think in terms of at least three hours of independent study. As you progress through the three years of a normal Philosophy course, lecture-sizes become smaller and you will receive more one-on-one tuition, culminating in the extended essays you write in the final year, which you write with the guidance and support of a tutor.

We distinguish between summative and formative assessment. Marks for first year units, and all marks for coursework essays, are for formative purposes only - i.e. these marks do not count towards your final degree classification. The final degree class is based on marks for Part One exams (end of your second year), Part Two exams (end of the third and final year), and extended essays (final year).

What are my career prospects?

Philosophers are highly employable. Many employers value the flexibility of thought and the capacity for marshalling arguments in a coherent and compelling manner that philosophy fosters. Many Philosophy graduates go on to make excellent lawyers, consultants, entrepreneurs and leaders in business or other professions.