Program Overview

Introduction to Philosophy and Politics BA (Hons)

The Philosophy and Politics BA (Hons) programme offers a comprehensive, diverse, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating education in philosophy and politics. This programme is designed to enhance the study and practice of politics through a detailed understanding of philosophy.

Course Details

• Qualification Type: BA (Hons)
• UCAS Code: LV25
• Entry Requirements:
  • A levels: ABB
  • T levels: Considered in a relevant subject
  • GCSE: 4/C in English and 4/C in Mathematics
  • BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: Applications encouraged
  • International Baccalaureate: 32 points overall with no score less than 4
  • Irish Leaving Certificate: H1, H1, H2, H2, H2, H3
  • Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher: AAB in Advanced Highers
  • Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced: B in the Welsh Baccalaureate, plus AB at A level
  • Access: Pass relevant Access to HE Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits
  • International qualifications: Select your country or region to view specific entry requirements
• English Language Requirements:
  • IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5
  • TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 17, writing 17, reading 17, and speaking 19
  • Duolingo English Test: 125 overall, with speaking, reading, and writing not less than 105, and listening not below 100
  • Pearson PTE Academic: 61 overall, with no component below 59
  • LanguageCert Academic: 70 overall, with no skill below 60
• Tuition Fees:
  • UK fees: £9,790 per year, with a year in industry fee of £1,955 and a year abroad fee of £1,465
  • International fees: £27,000 per year, with a year in industry fee of £1,955 and a year abroad fee of £13,500

Course Structure

The programme is structured over three years, with the first year concentrating on the development of core philosophical and political knowledge and skills. The second year consolidates this background and allows some level of choice, while the final year is made up entirely of optional modules.

Year One Modules

• ETHICS: MORAL CONSTRAINTS AND THE GOOD HUMAN LIFE (PHIL101)
• MIND, KNOWLEDGE AND REALITY (PHIL103)
• STUDYING POLITICS SUCCESSFULLY: SKILLS AND METHODS (POLI103)
• FOUNDATIONS IN POLITICS (POLI109)
• POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY (PHIL102)
• PHILOSOPHICAL INSIGHTS (PHIL106)
• FOUNDATIONS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (POLI104)
• COMPARATIVE POLITICS (POLI107)

Year Two Modules

• Optional modules include:
  • THE POLITICS OF KNOWLEDGE (PHIL212)
  • ANCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHY: THE EXAMINED LIFE (PHIL237)
  • PHILOSOPHICAL PROBLEM-SOLVING (PHIL241)
  • BUSINESS ETHICS (PHIL271)
  • THE MEANING OF LIFE AND DEATH: EXPLORING THE ULTIMATE QUESTION (PHIL273)
  • PROFESSIONAL AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT (SOTA260)
  • AMERICAN POLITICS AND SOCIETY (POLI205)
  • COMPARATIVE POLITICS OF THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA (POLI215)
  • DEMOCRATISATION AND POLITICAL CHANGE (POLI235)
  • INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC SPEAKING (POLI252)
  • GENDER AND FEMINIST POLITICS: CORE CONCEPTS AND THEORIES (POLI257)
  • PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION (PHIL215)
  • LIBERTY, JUSTICE AND THE GOOD SOCIETY (PHIL219)
  • METAPHYSICS (PHIL228)
  • MORAL PHILOSOPHY: THEORY AND PRACTICE (PHIL239)
  • BUSINESS ETHICS (PHIL272)
  • POLITICS IN ACTION (POLI200)
  • THINKING ABOUT POLITICS (POLI218)
  • POPULISM (POLI223)
  • BRITISH POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES (POLI237)
  • PUBLIC ETHICS (POLI260)
  • THE POLITICS OF 'RACE' AND MARGINALISATION (POLI265)
  • CONTEMPORARY SEXUAL POLITICS (POLI270)
  • USES, MISUSES AND ABUSES OF LANGUAGE (PHIL276)

Year Three Modules

• Optional modules include:
  • FRONTIERS OF ETHICS (PHIL302)
  • MIND, BRAIN AND CONSCIOUSNESS (PHIL309)
  • AESTHETICS (PHIL316)
  • EXISTENTIALISM (PHIL332)
  • PHILOSOPHY OF PLAY AND THE VIRTUAL (PHIL343)
  • LIFE, LANGUAGE AND ACTION (PHIL340)
  • CLASSICAL CHINESE PHILOSOPHY (PHIL367)
  • CONTEMPORARY PARLIAMENTARY STUDIES (POLI304)
  • AFRICA-CHINA RELATIONS IN A CHANGING GLOBAL ORDER (POLI305)
  • SOLIDARITY, ACTIVISM AND BORDERS IN THE EU (POLI308)
  • ELECTORAL BEHAVIOUR AND DATA ANALYTICS (POLI322)
  • FROM THE IRA TO THE FAR RIGHT: UNDERSTANDING POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD (POLI324)
  • CONSERVATIVE AND LABOUR THINKERS (POLI326)
  • CONSERVATIVE THINKERS (POLI327)
  • EU AS AN INTERNATIONAL ACTOR (POLI328)
  • POLITICS AND THE BRAIN (POLI346)
  • THE PUZZLE OF CIVIL WAR (POLI353)
  • POLITICS OF PARTICIPATION AND CIVIC SPACE (POLI354)
  • DIGITAL INQUIRY PROJECT (PHIL311)
  • PHILOSOPHY OF THE FUTURE (PHIL312)
  • INDIAN PHILOSOPHY (PHIL326)
  • PHILOSOPHY AND LITERATURE (PHIL327)
  • PHILOSOPHICAL APPROACHES TO CONFLICT (PHIL365)
  • HEALTH CARE, ECONOMICS AND JUSTICE (PHIL366)
  • HELLENISTIC AND NEOPLATONIC PHILOSOPHY (PHIL368)
  • PHILOSOPHY AND PUBLIC POLICY (PHIL375)
  • HUMANITARIAN ACTION IN COMPLEX EMERGENCIES (POLI306)
  • PUBLIC POLICY: AN ADVANCED INTRODUCTION (POLI310)
  • POLITICS OF DEVELOPMENT (POLI314)
  • THEORIES OF POVERTY AND WEALTH (POLI316)
  • INTERNATIONAL INTERVENTION (POLI321)
  • THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF RHETORIC IN BRITISH POLITICS (POLI323)
  • CONTEMPORARY POLITICS OF NATIONALISM (POLI332)
  • GENDER AND GLOBAL POLITICS (POLI349)
  • PROBLEMS IN POLITICAL THEORY (POLI352)
  • PHILOSOPHY DISSERTATION (PHIL306)
  • SCHOOL OF THE ARTS WORK PLACEMENTS MODULE (SOTA300)
  • DISSERTATION (POLI401)

Teaching and Assessment

• Teaching: Philosophy and Politics employ a range of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, and online support materials. Students learn by reading and studying outside class time, attending and participating in classes, and completing coursework.
• Assessment: A mixture of modes of assessment is used, including exams, coursework, essays, oral presentations, and dissertations.

Course Options

• Global Opportunities: University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide.
• Year in China: Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University.
• Year Abroad: Spend an additional year of study at a partner university abroad.
• Semester Abroad: Take a semester of your second year of study at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
• Summer Abroad: Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project.
• Year in Industry: Year in industry placements give you an in-depth workplace experience where you can develop your skills and apply your learning.
• Language Study: Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree.

Careers and Employability

Graduating with a degree in Philosophy and Politics will empower you to delve into the profound questions that shape human existence and position you as a valuable asset in today's competitive job market. Graduates in Philosophy obtain work in fields such as advertising and marketing, the arts, broadcasting and journalism, commerce and management, the civil service, law and politics, and teaching.

Scholarships and Bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses, including The Liverpool Bursary, Asylum Seekers Scholarship, Care Leavers' Opportunity Bursary, Cowrie Foundation Scholarship, Estranged Students Bursary, Nolan Scholarships, Rigby Enterprise Award, and ROLABOTIC Scholarship.