BA Philosophy and Politics
About this course
BA (Hons) BA (Hons) Philosophy and Politics, a philosophy and politics degree centred on political and philosophical inquiry. Core topics include Research Methods and Policy Analysis. Students complete a dissertation in the final year and can undertake a placement year or study abroad. The first year covers core grounding through Political Analysis and Philosophical Analysis. Second-year modules explore a wide array of specialized topics across both disciplines. The final year includes the compulsory module Philosophy and Public Policy alongside a PPE dissertation. Optional modules in the final year allow specialization in areas such as Green Politics, Buddhism as Philosophy, and The Politics of (Post-) Colonialism.
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 IB: 35 points BTEC: DDD We consider a range of BTEC qualifications equivalent to 3 A Levels, or in combination with A Levels or other qualifications. For example: Distinction, Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Diploma plus A at A Level Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate plus AA at A level Distinction, Distinction in 2 BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificates plus A at A level
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What students say
Based on about 10 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 79%
- Learning opportunities: 79%
- Assessment and feedback: 83%
- Academic support: 85%
- Organisation and management: 81%
- Learning resources: 86%
- Student voice: 85%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Administrative occupations: 20%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Skilled trades occupations: 10%
- Natural and social science professionals: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 145 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 4%
- North West: 10%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 22%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 6%
- London: 33%
- South East: 9%
- South West: 6%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Political Analysis
- Philosophical Analysis
- Ethics
- Knowledge and Perception
- Power and Consent
- Logic
- Metaphysics and Humans
- Introduction to Comparative Politics
- Global Challenges: From Theory to Practice
- Introduction to Political Theory: States, Liberty and Revolution
- Introduction to Global Politics
- York Policy Lab
- Applied Ethics
- Being and Reason: Spinoza’s Metaphysics
- Ethical Theory
- Knowledge and the Social Sciences
- Logic and Paradox
- Love, Law, and Solidarity: Recognition from Rousseau to Honneth
- Metaphysics
- Philosophy and Society
- Philosophy of Mind
- Philosophy of Language
- Philosophy of Science
- Politics and Freedom: Anarchism and Conservatism
- Religious Ethics
- The Limits of Reason: Kant's Theoretical and Practical Philosophy
- Critical Global Security Studies
- Elections and Voting Behaviour
- Global Political Economy
- Justice, Equality, and Difference
- Capitalism: Beyond States and Markets
- The Politics of Gender
- European Union Politics
- Politics of Development
- British Politics
- The US and Global Politics after the Cold War
- The Rising Powers
- Things Fall Apart: Political Thought in Times of Crisis
- War and Peace
- PPE dissertation
- Philosophy and Public Policy
- Africa and International Politics
- Global Governance: Purpose, Power, and Performance
- Green Politics
- Karl Marx
- Politics of Technology: From the Luddites to the Unabomber
- Morality and Modern Warfare
- Politics of the Middle East: Regimes and societies in transition
- The Politics of (Post-) Colonialism
- Action and Agency
- Buddhism as Philosophy
- Causation and Laws
- Consciousness
- Contemporary Issues in Bioethics
- Experimental Philosophy: The Psychology of Philosophy
- Foundations of Maths
- German Idealism: Moral, Legal & Political Philosophy
- Happiness, Utility and Wellbeing
- Nine Artworks, Nine Philosophical Problems
- Theories of Social Justice: Rawls and Beyond
- The Nature of Time
- Topics in Feminist Philosophy
- World and Mind
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Philosophy and Politics at University of York earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £26,500 after 3 years, £33,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £24,500 and £45,500. 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 York do next?
70% 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 York?
79% 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 York?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 35 points in the IB. The average entrant had 129 UCAS points.
Does BA Philosophy and Politics at University of York 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 Politics at University of York?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.