Programme Structure
You will have every opportunity to develop your own thoughts on philosophical issues and to engage in philosophical debate.
Year one offers lecture-based modules focusing on central themes, designed for students new to philosophy as well as those who have some familiarity with the subject, alongside staff-led tutorials involving three to five students.
In year two you will take a core module in the history of philosophy, accompanied by small-group seminars, and choose from a range of optional modules.
You will write a dissertation in your final year, as well as taking further optional modules.
View the programme specification for this course for 2017/18 entrants
View the programme specification for this course for 2018/19 entrants
Key Facts
- Unusually wide range of courses, with much of our teaching conducted in genuinely small groups.
-
High contact hours, including one-on-one supervision by faculty from your first year.
-
Flexible curriculum allows you to design your own path of study.
Did you know?
You can take this programme with a year abroad at one of our 173 partner institutions in over 24 countries – use code V501 when you apply through UCAS.
Philosophy at Southampton
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Find out moreTypical entry requirements
A Levels:
| Qualification | Grade |
|---|
| GCE A-level | AAB to ABB from 3 A Levels.
Applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) will also be made an alternative offer one grade below the standard offer, conditional on an A grade in the EPQ.
|
IB:
| Qualification | Grade |
|---|
| International Baccalaureate | 34 to 32 points overall with 17 to 16 at Higher Level. |
Preferred subjects
Applicants who are taking an A Level or International Baccalaureate module in one of our below preferred subjects will usually receive an offer of ABB or 32 points with 16 at Higher Level. Applicants who are not taking an A Level or International Baccalaureate module in one of our below preferred subjects will usually receive an offer of AAB or 34 points with 17 at Higher Level.
- Philosophy
- History
- English
- Religious Studies
- Classical Civilisation
- Sociology
- Government and Politics
International Foundation Year
International students who do not currently meet our entry requirements may be able to join this course on successful completion of our International Foundation Year. Find out more about the Foundation Year.
International applications
We welcome applications from international students. Helpful information on applying, meeting a University representative in your country, or improving your English language levels can be found on the International Office website. If English is not your first language you will be required to pass an approved English test. We normally ask for an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with not less than 6.5 in Reading and Writing, 6.0 in Listening and Speaking
Alternative qualifications
We welcome applications from candidates offering qualifications other than A and AS levels (including BTEC, European Baccalaureate, International Baccalaureate, Irish Leaving Certificate and Scottish Highers). You will be expected to attain an equivalent standard in other qualifications approved by the University to an A level applicant. Contact us for further information on equivalencies for these qualifications and others not listed here.
Contextual Offers
The University of Southampton is committed to widening participation and ensuring that all students with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data supports our admissions teams to recognise a student’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Students who flagged in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
A typical contextual offer is ABB to BBB from three A levels or an equivalent standard in other qualifications approved by the University.
Please see our contextual admission pages for more information.
Selection process:
- Intake:
- 75
- Average applications per place:
- 6
Selection is normally based on actual or predicted grades plus the reference and personal statement on your UCAS application. Exceptionally we may ask you to come for an interview before making an offer.
This page contains specific entry requirements for this course. Find out about
equivalent
entry requirements and qualifications for your country.
Typical course content
Over each year you take eight modules, or the equivalent, four in each semester.
Learn a language
This programme allows you to take a language module as a free elective. These are split into seven stages, from absolute beginner to near-native speaker level. Please email your Student Office if you have any queries regarding your module options.
View the language modules on offer
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the
programme and the learning outcomes that a typical
student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes full advantage
of the learning opportunities that are provided.
More detailed information can be found in the programme handbook (or other appropriate guide
or website).
Tuition fees
| Name | Award | Year of entry | Mode of study | UK/EU | International |
|---|
| Philosophy | BA | 2018 | Part-time | £4,625 | £8,268 |
| Philosophy | BA | 2018 | Full-time | £9,250 | £16,536 |
| Philosophy | BA | 2019 | Part-time | £4,625 | £8,532 |
| Philosophy | BA | 2019 | Full-time | £9,250 | £17,065 |
Funding
Scholarships, bursaries or grants may be available to support you through your
course.
Funding opportunities available to you are linked to your subject area and/or
your country of origin.
These can be from the University of Southampton or other sources.
Costs associated with this course
Students are responsible for meeting the cost of essential textbooks, and of producing such
essays, assignments, laboratory reports and dissertations as are required to fulfil the
academic requirements for each programme of study.
In addition to this, students registered for this programme typically also have to pay
for:
| Type | Description | Cost |
|---|
| Printing and copying | Where possible, coursework such as essays, projects, dissertations is likely to be submitted on line. However, there are some items where it is not possible to submit on line and students will be asked to provide a printed copy. The University printing costs are currently:
A4 - 5p per side (black and white) or 25p per side (colour) A3 - 10p per side (black and white) or 50p per side (colour).
Please Note: Paper sizes not recognised by the printing devices will prompt you to select the size and then charge a minimum of 50p per black and white copy and a maximum of £1 per colour copy.
You can pay for your printing by using the money loaders or by using print copy payment service by going to www.printcopypayments.soton.ac.uk.
Please remember that we are unable to refund any credit that has not been used by the end of your course, so please consider this when topping up your printing/copy account.
You will be given a printing allowance of £1 per 7.5 ECTS PHIL towards the costs of printing lecture hand-outs and/or practical scripts.
The University Print Centre also offers a printing and copying service as well as a dissertation/binding service. Current printing and copying costs can be found here. They also provide a large format printing service, e.g. Academic posters. Details of current costs can be found here. | £0.05-1.00 |
There will also be further costs for the following, not purchasable from the
University:
| Type | Description |
|---|
| Stationery | You will be expected to provide your own day-to-day stationery items, e.g. pens, pencils, notebooks, etc. Any specialist stationery items will be specified under the Additional Costs tab of the relevant module profile. |
| Books | Where a module specifies core texts these should generally be available on the reserve list in the library. However due to demand, students may prefer to buy their own copies. These can be purchased from any source.
Some modules suggest reading texts as optional background reading. The library may hold copies of such texts, or alternatively you may wish to purchase your own copies. Although not essential reading, you may benefit from the additional reading materials for the module. |
| Equipment | IT - Data Storage: Computer discs or USB drives - Students are expected to provide their own portable data storage device. |
| Equipment | IT - Software Licences: All software is provided. |
| Equipment | IT - Hardware: It is advisable that students provide their own laptop or personal computer, although shared facilities are available across the University campus. |
| Fieldwork | Placements: Students on placement programmes can expect to cover costs for health and travel insurance, accommodation and living expenses, travel costs, and visa costs. This will vary depending on which country you are travelling to. Specific details on what additional costs there will be are detailed in the individual module profiles which can be found under the modules tab of the programmes details of your programme. |
In some cases you'll be able to choose modules (which may have different costs associated
with that module) which will change the overall cost of a programme to you. Please also
ensure you read the section on additional costs in the University’s Fees, Charges and
Expenses Regulations in the University Calendar available at www.calendar.soton.ac.uk.
