BA Philosophy
About this course
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, a philosophy degree focused on the systematic study of foundational questions, ethical reasoning, and historical traditions. Core topics include Research Methods, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. Students complete a substantial independent research project in their final year through a dedicated dissertation module. The first year establishes core groundwork through Ancient Greek Philosophy, Ethics, and Reason and Argument. The second year builds upon these foundations with modules such as Mind and World in the History of Philosophy and Self and Agency in the History of Philosophy. Optional choices in later stages allow learners to investigate diverse topics spanning aesthetics, political thought, and applied ethics. A final-year research dissertation enables independent investigation into a self-selected philosophical topic.
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: ABB IB: Pass, with 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level
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What students say
Based on about 25 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 94%
- Learning opportunities: 88%
- Assessment and feedback: 89%
- Academic support: 93%
- Organisation and management: 95%
- Learning resources: 98%
- Student voice: 88%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 35 students who started
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 15 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Skilled trades occupations: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 100%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 90%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 65%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 70 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 1%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 4%
- London: 38%
- South East: 38%
- South West: 10%
- Wales: 3%
Who gets in
Based on about 35 students who started
- A levels: 95%
- Access course: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Ancient Greek Philosophy
- Ethics
- Human Understanding and Understanding Humans
- Reason and Argument
- Truth, Knowledge, and Objectivity
- Applied Ethics
- Faith and Reason
- Freedom and Responsibility
- Philosophy of Race
- Primary and Secondary Education: Critical Observations
- Puzzles about Art and Literature
- Mind and World in the History of Philosophy
- Self and Agency in the History of Philosophy
- AI Utopias and the Climate Crisis
- Animal Ethics, Animal Minds
- Cognitive Psychology in Education
- Data, Culture, and Justice
- Digital Futures of the Past: Power, Ethics, and Representation
- Epistemology: Knowledge and Evidence
- Ethics of Global Poverty
- Humanities and Professional Practice
- Kant’s Copernican Revolution in Philosophy
- Moral Philosophy
- Philosophy of Race
- Philosophy of Religion
- Political Philosophy
- Self, society, nature, and normativity
- The Mind, The Brain, and Consciousness
- Philosophy Dissertation
- Business, Morality, and Markets
- Classical Chinese Philosophy
- Classical Indian Philosophy: Self, Knowledge, and Liberation
- Contemporary Theories of Justice
- Crime and Punishment
- Democratic Theory
- Exploring the Hidden Assumptions in Education
- Green Political Thought: Humans and other stories
- Happiness and Wellbeing
- Islamic Philosophy
- Philosophical Pessimism
- Philosophy and Ethics in Psychology and AI
- Philosophy of Sex, Sexuality, and Gender
- Political Philosophy
- The Ethics of Belief: Evidence, Truth, and Ideology
- The Ethics of Climate Change
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Philosophy at University of Southampton earn?
The median salary is £29,000 after 15 months, £26,000 after 3 years, £32,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,000 and £42,500. The £32,000 median after five years is £500 less than the UK median for Philosophy.
What do graduates of BA Philosophy at University of Southampton 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 at University of Southampton?
94% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Philosophy at University of Southampton?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 140 UCAS points.
Does BA Philosophy at University of Southampton include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Philosophy at University of Southampton?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.