BA Philosophy and Psychology
About this course
BA (Hons) in Philosophy and Psychology, a joint degree spanning psychology and philosophy, examining human psychology, the nature of the mind and core questions of philosophical thought. Core topics include Statistics, Research Methods and Communication & Writing. The programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), and students can apply to add a placement year or a year abroad, extending the course from three years to four. Year 1 builds foundations through The Philosophical Traditions, covering major philosophical approaches and the practice of philosophical research and writing, and Introduction to Psychological Research, covering research methods and statistical techniques in psychology. Students also take either Introduction to Psychology 1: Cognitive and Biological Psychology or Introduction to Psychology 2: Developmental and Social Psychology. Year 2 deepens both disciplines with Reading Philosophy: World Philosophies, Social and Developmental Psychology, Cognitive and Biological Psychology, and Advanced Research Methods and Statistics, which covers practical statistical work and the communication of research; one optional Philosophy module is drawn from areas including History of Science and Medicine, Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Science and Feminist Philosophy. Year 3 centres on Individual Differences and Mental Health alongside two compulsory independent pieces: the Psychology Project, a supervised empirical study reported in written form, and the Philosophy Short Dissertation, a supervised essay on a self-chosen topic. Level 3 optional modules span areas such as Kant's Critical Philosophy and Other Revolutions, Biomedical Ethics, History and Philosophy of Psychiatry, and Issues in Contemporary Ethics.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: AAA IB: 36 with 666 in higher level subjects, including standard level Mathematics.
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 44%: 35 offers from 80 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 9 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 87%
- Learning opportunities: 76%
- Assessment and feedback: 72%
- Academic support: 87%
- Organisation and management: 63%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 69%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 6 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 15%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 13%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 8%
- Elementary occupations: 7%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 6%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 70 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 3%
- North West: 6%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 7%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 6%
- London: 59%
- South East: 13%
- South West: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- Access course: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- The Philosophical Traditions
- Introduction to Psychological Research
- Choose one of the following two modules:
- EITHER: Introduction to Psychology 1: Cognitive and Biological Psychology
- OR Introduction to Psychology 2: Developmental and Social Psychology
- Example optional modules
- Reading Philosophy: World Philosophies
- Social and Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive and Biological Psychology
- Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
- Example optional modules
- Individual Differences and Mental Health
- Psychology Project
- Philosophy Short Dissertation
- Example optional modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Philosophy and Psychology at Durham University earn?
The median salary is £34,000 after 15 months, £34,500 after 3 years, £46,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £32,000 and £67,000. The £46,500 median after five years is £19,000 more than the UK median for Psychology.
What do graduates of BA Philosophy and Psychology at Durham University do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Philosophy and Psychology at Durham University?
87% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Philosophy and Psychology at Durham University?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 149 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Philosophy and Psychology at Durham University?
44% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 35 offers from 80 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Is BA Philosophy and Psychology at Durham University accredited?
Yes. Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Does BA Philosophy and Psychology at Durham University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Philosophy and Psychology at Durham University?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.