Program Overview

BA Philosophy and Politics - 2026 entry

Overview

You’ll learn how to apply analytical-philosophical skills to the study of political events and theories. Studying Philosophy will give you the opportunity to discuss long-standing questions about the nature of knowledge, science, reality, ethics, art and beauty, the mind-body relationship, the meaning of life and more. Our broad range of optional modules in your second and third years gives you the flexibility to tailor your degree to your interests and career ambitions. The Philosophy and Politics student societies will give you the chance to make friends, attend socials and seminars and hear from guest speakers. Get ready for your future career by developing a range of skills valued by a wide range of employers from the media to teaching and the public, private and charity sectors.

Entry requirements (typical offer)

• Qualification: A-Level, IB, BTEC, GCSE, Access to HE, T-Level
• Typical offer:
  • A-Level: AAA
  • IB: 36/666
  • BTEC: DDD
  • GCSE: C or 4 (English Language)
  • Access to HE: 30 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade
  • T-Level: Distinction
• Contextual Offer:
  • A-Level: ABB
  • IB: 32/655
  • BTEC: DDM

Course content

The Philosophy and Politics degree programme is made up of compulsory (core) and optional modules, which are worth 15 or 30 credits each. Full-time undergraduate students need to complete modules worth a total of 120 credits each year.

Year 1

• Compulsory modules:
  • Philosophy: 45 credits of core (choose 3 of the core modules listed)
    • PHL1002A: Knowledge and Reality 1
    • PHL1002B: Knowledge and Reality 2
    • PHL1005A: Evidence and Argument 1
    • PHL1006: Introduction to Philosophical Analysis
    • PHL1013: Philosophy of Morality
  • Politics: 30 credits of core
    • POL1025: Classical Political Thought
    • POL1026: Early Modern Political Thought
• Optional modules:
  • Politics: 30 credits of option modules
  • Philosophy: 15 credits of option modules

Year 2

• Compulsory modules:
  • Philosophy: at least 45 credits of core (choose 3 of the core Philosophy modules listed)
    • PHL2010A: Philosophy of Mind 1
    • PHL2043: Philosophical Research
    • PHL2015: Body and Mind
    • PHL2016: Metaphysics
    • PHL2018: Philosophy of Language
    • PHL2118: Moral agency in social context
  • Politics: 15 credits of core
    • POL2059: Political Thought of Modernity
• Optional modules:
  • Politics: 45 credits of option modules
  • Philosophy: 15 credits of option modules

Final year

• Compulsory modules:
  • Philosophy or Politics Dissertation (choose one of the two dissertation modules)
    • PHL3040: Philosophy Dissertation
    • POL3040: Dissertation
• Optional modules:
  • Philosophy: Choose 30 credits of options if PHL3040 chosen. Choose 60 credits of options if POL3040 chosen
  • Politics: Choose 30 credits of options if POL3040 chosen. Choose 60 credits of options if PHL3040 chosen

Course variants

BA Philosophy and Politics with Study Abroad

• UCAS code: VL5F
• Our four-year ‘with Study Abroad’ degree offers you the possibility of spending your third year abroad, studying with one of our many partner universities.

BA Philosophy and Politics with Employment Experience

• UCAS code: VL7F
• Our four-year ‘with Employment Experience’ degree allows you to spend your third year carrying out one or more graduate-level work placements, within the UK, as part of your degree.

BA Philosophy and Politics with Employment Experience Abroad

• UCAS code: VL6F
• Our four-year ‘with Employment Experience Abroad’ degree, offers you the possibility of spending your third year abroad, carrying out a graduate-level work placement or placements as part of your degree.

Fees

• Tuition fees for 2025 entry:
  • UK students: £9,535 per year
  • International students: £24,700 per year

Scholarships

• The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships.

Learning and teaching

• We use a wide range of teaching and learning methods and encourage you to develop your writing and presentation skills in a supportive atmosphere:
  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Group work
  • Project work
  • One-to-one sessions
  • Small group tutorials
  • Independent study

Assessment

• Exams
• Essays
• Projects
• Practical assignments

Your future

• As a Philosophy and Politics graduate you will develop a range of professional, academic and personal skills that are good preparation for a number of careers including in the media, public sector, legal profession, business and management.
• Career paths:
  • Teaching and research
  • Local or national government
  • The Civil Service
  • Business and finance
  • Charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the UK and abroad
  • Marketing and public relations
  • Management and administration

Related courses

• Philosophy BA
• Politics BA
• Classical Studies and Philosophy BA
• Politics, Philosophy and Economics BA