Philosophy

BA Hons

  • UCAS code V500
  • Entry year 2024 or 2025
  • A level requirements ABB
  • Duration Full time 3 years

This course has Clearing vacancies for 2024

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Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • Expand your experience with an internship

  • Explore philosophy from a global perspective

  • Applied approach to understand how Philosophy can be applied to challenges in the modern world

Why Lancaster?
  • Our distinctive programme includes both Western and non-Western philosophy, with a strong emphasis on how ideas connect up with practical issues
  • Learn from academics who contribute to discussions about public policy and law in the UK and overseas
  • Gain practical experience with an internship organised by the Richardson Institute for Peace Studies, known for its cutting-edge research
  • Take part in events organised by our lively Philosophical Society, including debates, essay prizes and visits by guest speakers
  • Achieve a degree that prepares you for a wide range of career paths and is well-regarded by employers across the spectrum

Intrigued by fundamental questions such as the nature of right and wrong? Truth and knowledge? Faith and reason? Keen to learn how philosophers from both Western and non-Western traditions have discussed these topics? Philosophical ideas can help us understand and respond to contemporary practical issues, as well as timeless problems of human existence.

A rich and varied programme

You’ll study famous thinkers from the Western tradition of philosophy, such as Plato, Kant, Descartes and Nietzsche. You’ll also learn from our experts in non-Western philosophy with their insights into Indian and Islamic traditions. We also place particular emphasis on how philosophy is relevant to daily life.

You may wish to specialise in the more practical side of philosophy, exploring moral and political questions such as obligations to future generations or the basis of ethics. Or you may opt to focus more on the more theoretical side, exploring logic or the relationship between mind and body. You’ll discover connections between abstract and more practical ideas – for example, how the nature of knowledge connects with scientific enquiry, communication and even conspiracy theories.

Putting your studies into practice

You can apply for one of the internships offered every year by the Richardson Institute for Peace Studies, based in our department. These are research projects in external organisations such as NGOs, think tanks, charities and faith-based organisations. We also offer placement opportunities in a range of organisations, from roles in arts and heritage organisations, to media and marketing agencies.

The University runs short, overseas trips to give you the chance to experience a different culture. In the past these have included Malaysia, India, Ghana, China and the US, visiting the J.F.K Presidential library, the United Nations and the 9/11 Memorial Museum.

Placement Year and Study Abroad Options

You can also study Philosophy as a placement year degree (four years) which gives you the opportunity to develop your employment experience and skills. Alternatively, you can choose to study abroad for a year and experience living in another country while studying from a different perspective. Our current partner universities are in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, the Netherlands and the USA.

A lively department

Several of our staff are involved in national and international advisory groups and our students benefit from these connections. We organise conferences, talks and seminars throughout the year.

Our students take part in the many clubs and societies that are supported by Lancaster University Student’s Union. This includes the Philosophical Society that organises regular discussions, debates and guest speakers, as well as international societies representing different countries, faith groups, political groups, debating society, InterVol and many more. There are regular events, trips and high profile visiting speakers, which provide numerous ways to get involved and meet other students who share your interests.

Careers

Studying philosophy will equip you with a range of transferable skills for many interesting careers. Critical thinking, clarity of communication and the ability to handle complex ideas will all make you an attractive candidate to employers.

Our philosophy graduates have gone on to careers in:

  • Media, journalism and public relations
  • Civil and Diplomatic Services
  • Politics and government
  • International charities and non-government organisations
  • HR and recruitment
  • Teaching and education
  • Legal research
  • Logistics and project management

Find out more about the support the Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion offers to improve your employability, and learn about the careers of some of our alumni.

Some students decide to go on to further study, taking a Master’s or PhD to expand their expertise in this area.

We’ll help you to find the right path to suit you by offering support from our academic tutors and practical guidance from our specialist careers advisers.

Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, but that you also graduate with relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.

Entry requirements

Grade Requirements

A Level ABB

IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.

Other Qualifications

International Baccalaureate 32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects.

BTEC Distinction, Distinction, Merit

We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualification. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.

Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

Course structure

Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and some which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

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Fees and funding

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting in the October of your year of study.

Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2024/25 are:

Home International
£9,250 £23,750

Fees and funding information

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Scholarships and bursaries

You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.

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