BA Philosophy and Politics
About this course
BA in Philosophy and Politics, a politics and international relations and philosophy degree exploring modern political systems and fundamental philosophical questions. Core topics include Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. Students complete a final year project in either philosophy or politics. The first year introduces foundational concepts through compulsory modules such as How to do Philosophy, The Good, the Bad, the Right, the Wrong, Comparative Politics, and Freedom, Power and Resistance: An Introduction to Political Ideas, alongside optional choices like Knowledge, Self and Reality. The second year advances core knowledge through compulsory modules including Philosophical Method (for joint honours), Revolution and Reaction, Justice, Community & Conflict, and How to Live Together: Topics in Political Philosophy, with further exploration supported by options such as Past Thinkers: History of Modern Philosophy and Politics and Policy in the EU. The final year centres on a compulsory Final Year Project in Philosophy or Politics. Optional modules allow students to specialize in areas spanning Feminist Philosophy, War, Terror and Justice, History and Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence, and British Foreign Policy.
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: AAB EPQ: ABB plus grade A in the EPQ BTEC: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: DDD. Other BTEC qualifications are also considered. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information. IB: 35 points overall including 16 at Higher Level
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What students say
Based on about 13 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 78%
- Assessment and feedback: 83%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 88%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 77%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 48 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 61%
- Working and studying: 14%
- Further study: 9%
- Unemployed: 8%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 19%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 9%
- Administrative occupations: 7%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 6%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 50%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 170 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 13%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 19%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 6%
- East of England: 6%
- London: 36%
- South East: 8%
- South West: 3%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 35 students who started
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- How to do Philosophy
- The Good, the Bad, the Right, the Wrong
- Comparative Politics
- Freedom, Power and Resistance: An Introduction to Political Ideas
- Knowledge, Self and Reality
- Introduction to the History of Western Philosophy
- Making of the Modern World
- International Politics
- Philosophy Meets the World
- Thinking About Race
- Philosophical Method (for joint honours)
- Revolution and Reaction
- Justice, Community & Conflict
- How to Live Together: Topics in Political Philosophy
- Past Thinkers: History of Modern Philosophy
- Do The Right Thing: Topics in Moral Philosophy
- How Do You Know? Topics in Epistemology
- Reality Check: Topics in Metaphysics
- God, Thought and the World: Topics in Philosophy of Religion
- Why Trust Science? Topics in Philosophy of Science
- Politics and Policy in the EU
- Politics of Contemporary China
- State and Politics in Africa
- United States Politics
- Labour Party
- Media and Democracy
- Final Year Project (in Philosophy or Politics)
- Feminist Philosophy
- War, Terror and Justice
- Philosophy of the Social Sciences
- Aesthetics
- Ancient Philosophy
- Bioethics
- Continental Philosophy
- Non-Western Philosophy
- Philosophy of Language
- Philosophy of Sex and Relationships
- History and Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence
- Philosophy of Work and Play
- Gender and Security in Global Politics
- Violence and Reconciliation in Africa
- Politics of National Identity in the UK
- Rethinking Resistance
- Video Games: Politics, Society and Culture
- Global Politics of Climate Change
- Ethics and Politics of Human Rights
- British Foreign Policy
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Philosophy and Politics at University of Leeds earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £26,500 after 3 years, £33,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,500 and £42,000. The £33,000 median after five years is £1,000 less than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of BA Philosophy and Politics at University of Leeds do next?
84% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Philosophy and Politics at University of Leeds?
90% 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 Politics at University of Leeds?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 35 points in the IB. The average entrant had 141 UCAS points.
Does BA Philosophy and Politics at University of Leeds include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Philosophy and Politics at University of Leeds?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.