BA Ethics, Value and Philosophy
About this course
BA in Philosophy, combining the study of ethics, value theory, and moral and political philosophy. Core topics include Research Methods, Global & Comparative Perspective, and Social & Cultural Analysis. The degree includes three compulsory first-year modules — Reason and Argument, Great Works in Philosophy, and The Meaning of Life — with optional language study available through the Languages for All programme. In the second or final year, students may spend a semester at a partner university in Europe, the USA, Canada, Japan, or Australia.
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: BBB IB: 30 points overall
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What students say
Based on about 29 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 89%
- Learning opportunities: 75%
- Assessment and feedback: 85%
- Academic support: 85%
- Organisation and management: 76%
- Learning resources: 85%
- Student voice: 80%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 55 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 89%
- Left higher education: 10%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 1%
What graduates do next
Based on about 94 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 62%
- Working and studying: 12%
- Further study: 12%
- Unemployed: 8%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 17%
- Teaching Professionals: 11%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 8%
- Find their work meaningful: 74%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 47%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 325 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 14%
- London: 22%
- South East: 33%
- South West: 13%
- Wales: 3%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 55 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 95%
- Access course: 1%
- Foundation course: 2%
- Other HE qualification: 2%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Reason and Argument
- Great Works in Philosophy
- The Meaning of Life
- Radical Philosophy
- Global Justice
- Philosophical Skills for Life
- Mind and World
- Optional Language Module
- Ethical Argument
- Oppression, Inequality, and the Enemies of Democracy
- Meaning and the Mind
- Global Philosophies
- Aesthetics
- Philosophy through the Ages: The Minds that Shaped our World
- Ignorance, Doubt, and Relativism
- Ethics for the Real World
- Optional Language Module
- Dissertation in Philosophy
- OR
- Independent Learning Module
- Free Will and Responsibility
- Philosophy of Language: Animals, Babies, Colours and Language Death
- Current Moral Philosophy
- Fairness
- Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
- Society and State in Ancient Greece
- The Scandal of Film
- Hume and Wittgenstein
- Speech Attacks: Bullshit, Lies, Propaganda
- Philosophy of Religion
- Happy and Meaningful Lives
- Philosophy of Psychology
- Optional Language Module
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Ethics, Value and Philosophy at University of Reading earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £23,500 after 3 years, £28,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £23,500 and £35,000. The £28,500 median after five years is £4,000 less than the UK median for Philosophy.
What do graduates of BA Ethics, Value and Philosophy at University of Reading do next?
86% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Ethics, Value and Philosophy at University of Reading?
89% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Ethics, Value and Philosophy at University of Reading?
The typical offer is BBB at A level, or 30 points in the IB. The average entrant had 116 UCAS points.
Does BA Ethics, Value and Philosophy at University of Reading 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 Ethics, Value and Philosophy at University of Reading?
89% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.