Program Overview

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Philosophy BA Honours

The Philosophy BA Honours degree at Newcastle University is a three-year program that delves into the nature of reality, explores theories of knowledge, reflects on key ethical concepts, and examines issues related to the philosophy of art, culture, science, and technology.

Course Overview

This program is rare among UK universities as much of its curriculum is dedicated to modern European philosophy. The curriculum includes thinkers such as Descartes, Kant, Hegel, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, de Beauvoir, Sartre, Kristeva, Derrida, and Foucault. Students will also have the opportunity to explore key debates in the history of European philosophy, including those in Ancient Philosophy, the Enlightenment, and beyond.

Quality and Ranking

• 14th in the UK – The Complete University Guide 2026 (Philosophy category)
• Global Top 140 University – QS World University Rankings 2026
• Top 75 for Arts and Humanities - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
• 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• 10th in the UK – Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 (Philosophy category)
• Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
• Top 125 for Arts and Humanities – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
• Global Top 160 University - Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025

Modules and Learning

The program is divided into stages, with each stage lasting one academic year. Students will complete modules totaling 120 credits by the end of each stage. The teaching is informed by research, and course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Featured Module

• PHI1004: Stage 1 Project
  • Critically engage with philosophical ideas in relation to contemporary culture.

Stage 1

• Compulsory Modules:
  • Stage 1 Project (20 credits)
  • Introduction to Moral Philosophy (10 credits)
  • Foundations of Philosophy (20 credits)
  • Philosophical Approaches to the Humanities and Social Sciences and Critical Reasoning (20 credits)
• Optional Modules:
  • Philosophy and Religion (20 credits)
  • Existentialism and the Self (20 credits)
  • Introduction to Political Philosophy (10 credits)
  • Introduction to Aesthetics (10 credits)

Stage 2

• Compulsory Modules:
  • Ethics and the Modern World (20 credits)
  • Stage 2 Project (40 credits)
  • Kant and Post-Kantian Philosophy (20 credits)
• Optional Modules:
  • Career Development for second year students (20 credits)
  • Consciousness, Art and Technology (20 credits)
  • Place-Based Philosophy: Investigating Context through Fieldwork (20 credits)
  • Italian Thought (10 credits)
  • Practice and Creative Practice of Philosophy (20 credits)
  • Texts in Contemporary Philosophy: Barbara Stiegler: Adapt! (10 credits)
  • Philosophy and Science (10 credits)

Stage 3

• Compulsory Modules:
  • Social and Political Philosophy (10 credits)
  • Continental Political Thought (10 credits)
  • Projects (Stage 3) (40 credits)
  • Phenomenology and Twentieth Century Philosophy (20 credits)
• Optional Modules:
  • Career Development for final year students (20 credits)
  • The Networked Society: Human Identity and Practices (20 credits)
  • Practice and Creative Practice of Philosophy (20 credits)
  • Philosophy and Psychoanalysis (10 credits)
  • World Philosophies (10 credits)
  • Project Presentation (10 credits)
  • Texts in Contemporary Philosophy: Barbara Stiegler: Adapt! (10 credits)
  • Philosophy Study Abroad Semester 1 (60 credits)

Opportunities

Study Abroad

Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities, and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.

Work Placement

Apply your practical skills, increase your confidence, and gain real-life work experience to accelerate your career. Take a 9-12 month industrial placement in the UK or abroad. Work placements usually take place in Stage 3 of your studies and extend your degree by one year.

Facilities and Environment

You'll be part of Philosophical Studies, and as a Newcastle University student, you'll have access to a whole range of facilities. Newcastle University has achieved five QS Stars for facilities from QS Quacquarelli Symonds. You'll benefit from top facilities that not only support you and help you get the best out of your studies but give you an outstanding experience, such as:

• An award-winning library service
• Excellent IT facilities
• A range of study support and wellbeing services to help you reach your full potential
• A wide range of sporting facilities

Your Future

Although Philosophy is generally considered to be a non-vocational degree, employers will value the specific skills that the study of philosophy develops. The study of philosophy helps you to develop the ability to analyze and construct sound arguments, think logically and critically about ideas and issues, communicate clearly and persuasively, and generate solutions to problems.

You also gain crucial employability skills sought by graduate employers, including independent study and self-motivation, the ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines, flexibility, creativity, the ability to identify, absorb, and sift complex information, teamwork, and applications of information technology.

Philosophy graduates are found working for almost every type of employer in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. Some graduates will continue to master's-level studies.

Entry Requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis, and we accept a broad range of qualifications.

• A-Level: ABB
• International Baccalaureate: A minimum of 32 points with three subjects at Higher level grade 5 or above.

Tuition Fees and Scholarships

• Home students: Tuition fees (Year 1) Not Set
• International students: Tuition fees (Year 1) £24,500

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our undergraduate scholarship page for more information.

Year Abroad and Additional Costs

For programs where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year.

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.