Program Overview

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BSc Philosophy and Politics (VL52)

2026 entry | view 2025 entry

Course summary

Combine your study of philosophy with the study of politics and international relations and graduate with a valuable skill set tailored to the increasingly globalised workplace.

For philosophy, you will explore different philosophical methods, engage in collaboration, apply philosophy to disciplines such as science or literature, and apply philosophical approaches to civic engagement and contemporary societal issues.

In politics, our course explores power, who exercises it, for whom, how it is distributed, and with what consequences. You will gain insight into the politics of different countries, regions and systems, as well as global and local political issues and movements.

Bristol is home to prominent scholars and many of our academics are global leaders in areas of political study, including international relations, security, gender, political philosophy, international development, peace-building, environmental politics and the politics of Latin America, Africa, South and East Asia, the Middle East, Europe, the USA and Britain.

Learn how the political sphere operates and apply philosophical methods to make a real difference in the world.

Overview

Typical offer

• A-level standard offer: AAA
• A-level contextual offer: ABB
• Go to entry requirements for the full entry criteria and contextual offer eligibility.

Programme duration

• 3 year(s) full-time.
• Part-time study is not available for this course

Application method

• UCAS (Code: VL52)

Location

• Clifton campus, Placements

Fees

• £9,535 per year, home students
• £24800 per year, international students
• More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Fees quoted are for 2025 entry only. Fees for 2026 will be confirmed, subject to government approval, later in 2025.

Course structure

Your first year includes compulsory units to ensure you build a solid grounding in both disciplines and you will have greater choices of units as you progress through the course. First-year units include Introduction to Philosophy, Logic and Critical Thinking and Realism and Normativity.

In your second and third years, you will also be able to choose from a range of optional units that help you develop your own core philosophical specialisation.

In your final year, you will have the opportunity to undertake an extended essay project on a topic of your choice, supervised by a member of staff with relevant expertise.

The wide-ranging, flexible curriculum provides progressive intellectual challenges and consolidates your experience throughout.

Both schools encourage synergy between research and teaching, resulting in a vibrant learning environment. This course combination offers an enriching experience with exciting intellectual challenges.

Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.

Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

A-level standard offer

• AAA including an essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include:
  • Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.

A-level contextual offer

• ABB including an essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include:
  • Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.

BTEC

• DDD in any essay-based Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma

International Baccalaureate Diploma

• 36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in an essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include:
  • Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.

International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer

• 32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level, including 5 at Higher Level in an essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include:
  • Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.

European Baccalaureate

• 85% overall, with 8.5 in an essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include:
  • Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.

Scottish Qualifications Authority

• Advanced Higher: AA including an essay-based subject, and Standard Higher: AAAAB. Essay-based subjects include:
  • Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.

Access to HE Diploma

• Access to HE Diploma in Humanities, Social Sciences, Law or History (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include:
  • at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above;
  • and at least 12 credits (with 9 at Distinction) in a single essay-based subject. Essay-based subjects include:
    • Ancient History; Anthropology; Archaeology; Art and Design (all pathways); Business Studies; Chinese; Classical Civilisation; Classics; Drama; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; English Literature; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Film; French; Geography; German; Government and Politics; Greek; Health and Social Care; History; History of Art; Italian; Latin; Law; Media Studies; Music; Performance; Philosophy; Politics; Portuguese; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Social Care; Social Policy; Sociology; Spanish; Theatre Studies and Welsh.

Welsh Baccalaureate

• Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales or the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.

Cambridge Pre-U

• Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.

International qualifications

• The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Selection process

• Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement are found in the University admissions policies and procedures.
• If applying with extenuating circumstances please see our policy.
• Full information about our selection processes for Philosophy and Politics can be found in the Admissions Statement.

Applicants must also meet these requirements

GCSE profile requirements

• Standard numeracy requirement (4 or C in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent)
• Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.

English language requirements

• If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
  • IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in all other skills
  • GCSE English Language grade B or 6
  • an alternative qualification outlined in our Profile level B.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels

Related courses

• See a list of all Philosophy degrees and degrees at Bristol, and find more information about the course, assessment and career prospects.

Related Subjects

• Politics and International Relations
• Classics
• History

Next steps

• Visit us at an open day
• Download a prospectus
• Find out how to apply
• Make an enquiry