Philosophy, Religion and Ethics BA
In this broad, interdisciplinary degree, you will study the momentous questions in philosophy, religion, and ethics that matter most to you. From the value of religious faith and practices to the ethics of climate change or euthanasia, you'll learn to develop and defend your own critical perspectives within the context of global events.
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A Levels
ABB -
UCAS code
VV56 -
Duration
3 years -
Start date
September
- Course fee
- Funding available
- Optional placement year
- Study abroad
Explore this course:
Course description
Why study this course?
Learn from world-leading staff, teaching an exceptionally diverse range of modules.
The ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Centre for Interdisciplinary Biblical Studies is known around the world for its work on translations of religious texts and the influence of involuntary migration on religion.
Explore a wide range of topics, including fundamental political and social importance, criminal justice and social inclusion, and climate ethics.
Use your philosophical knowledge to engage with real-world problems and make a difference in the community through one of our many extra curricular opportunities.
Sex and science, god and mind, logic and the value of life itself – acquire the tools and the ability you need to consider the biggest questions humanity has ever asked.
A degree in philosophy, religion and ethics will see you exploring topics ranging from the value of religious faith, to the ethics of climate change and euthanasia. Develop and defend your own critical perspectives within the context of global events.
You'll study modules across all three subjects, each taught by expert researchers. There’s plenty of course content to explore, and we advise you on the best way to structure your options.
In year three, you'll have the opportunity to write a dissertation, working closely with a member of academic staff to focus on an area that excites you.
As a graduate, you’ll come away with an understanding of radically different perspectives. You’ll be able to summarise, write and speak about complex ideas clearly and concisely. And you’ll be able to draw on your experience applying philosophical knowledge through critical analysis and/or community engagement.
Modules
Our programme is designed so that you take modules in philosophy, religion and ethics. You have the flexibility to choose from a range of modules in each subject area so you can explore your interests.
Many of the modules which are available are interdisciplinary, exhibiting a strong focus on more than one of the three areas.
UCAS code: VV56
Years: 2026
Core modules:
- Writing Philosophy
- Religion in Britain
- Religion, Reason and Reality
- Ethics and Society
Optional modules:
- Mind and World
- Reason and Argument
- Bodies, Sex and Desires
- Science Medicine and Society
- Death and Killing
- Foundations in literary study: Biblical & Classical Sources
- History of Philosophy
In your second year, you’ll continue to build your foundational knowledge of Philosophy, Religion and Ethics, looking in depth at materials and further developing your skills.
Core modules:
- Ethics: from Theory to Practice
- Religion and the Good Life
- Life Worth Living
- Ethnography and Lived Religion
You’ll also have the opportunity to develop more critical and in-depth examinations of philosophical, religious and ethical concepts through a range of optional modules spanning areas such as Formal Logic, Good Books: Intertextual Approaches to Literature and the Bible, Feminism, Political Philosophy, Philosophy of AI and Robotics, Knowing and Being, Science and the Search for Reality, Philosophy of the Arts, Mind and Language, Social Justice Today, Global History of Philosophy, Philosophy of Education.
In your third year, as well as working on a short dissertation, you’ll continue to advance your knowledge in specific areas of philosophy, religion and ethics.
Example core modules:
- Dissertation project
- Communicating Philosophy
You’ll also have the opportunity to conduct further study of a specialist area of your choice through a range of optional modules spanning areas such as Ethics and Belief, Moral Theory and Moral Psychology, Global Justice, Social Philosophy, People Organisations and Technology, Pain Pleasure and the Emotions, Memory and the Self, Bodies and Souls, The Science of Consciousness, Plato’s Symposium, Phenomenology, Language Speakers and the World, Freewill and Religion, Political Resistance, Feminist and Queer Studies in Religion.
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we will inform students and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Learning and assessment
Learning
We pride ourselves on the diversity of our modules and the high quality of our teaching.
Modules in philosophy focus on central philosophical issues and thinkers, and are taught through lectures, discussion seminars and online learning, as well as individual essay tutorials in the third year.
You'll take part in presentations, debates and fieldwork and be given extensive feedback on your work.
Our staff are among the best in the world at what they do. They're active researchers so your lectures and seminars are informed, relevant and exciting. We'll teach you how to think carefully, analytically and creatively.
Assessment
Assessment is normally through a combination of coursework essays and exams. On some of your third year modules, you will have the opportunity to write a longer essay instead of sitting an exam. We also help you to develop your
career skills through different types of assessment.
For some modules you will create portfolios, design academic posters or Philosophical websites, do ethnography, or more creative 'unessay' projects, like photography, or creative art.
Some of our assessment encourages personal reflection which contributes to both academic and personal development. Diverse forms of assessment are great for upskilling yourself ready for any career, but it will also make your learning experience much more varied and fun.
Entry requirements
With Access ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ, you could qualify for additional consideration or an alternative offer - find out if you're eligible.
The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
ABB
- A Levels + a fourth Level 3 qualification
- BBB + B in a relevant EPQ
- International Baccalaureate
- 33; 32, with B in a philosophy-based extended essay
- BTEC Extended Diploma
- DDD in a relevant subject
- BTEC Diploma
- DD + B at A Level
- Scottish Highers
- AAABB
- Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels
- B + AB
- Access to HE Diploma
- Award of the Access to HE Diploma in either Law, Business Management, Humanities or Social Sciences, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit
The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
BBB
- A Levels + a fourth Level 3 qualification
- BBB + B in a relevant EPQ
- International Baccalaureate
- 32
- BTEC Extended Diploma
- DDM in a relevant subject
- BTEC Diploma
- DD + B at A Level
- Scottish Highers
- AABBB
- Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels
- B + BB
- Access to HE Diploma
- Award of the Access to HE Diploma in either Law, Business Management, Humanities or Social Sciences, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 24 at Distinction and 21 at Merit
You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification
Equivalent English language qualifications
Visa and immigration requirements
Other qualifications | UK and EU/international
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school/department.
Graduate careers
School of History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities
Studying philosophy will develop your ability to analyse and state a case clearly, evaluate arguments and be precise in your thinking. These skills will put you in a strong position when it comes to finding employment or going on to further study.
Our graduates work in teaching, law, social work, computing, the civil service, journalism, paid charity work, business, insurance and accountancy. Many also go on to study philosophy at postgraduate level.
School of History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities
In the School of History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities, we interrogate some of the most significant and pressing aspects of human life, offering new perspectives and tackling globally significant issues.
As a philosophy student at ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ you will benefit from the diversity of our modules and the high quality of our teaching which draws on the research expertise of our staff to ensure your lectures and seminars are informed, relevant and exciting.
Our staff engage in cutting-edge research across a wide range of philosophical disciplines including epistemology, ethics, social, political and environmental philosophy, metaphysics and philosophy of the mind among others.
Our supportive and inclusive community will also provide you with opportunities to use your philosophical knowledge to engage with real world problems and make a difference in the community through projects like our award-winning Philosophy in the City programme, which enables students to teach philosophy in the local community to audiences of all ages. Our students also run a thriving Philosophy Society and an undergraduate philosophy journal.
Our Centre for Engaged Philosophy pursues research into questions of fundamental political and social importance, from criminal justice and social inclusion to climate ethics, all topics that are covered in our teaching. Their events are open to all students and there are opportunities to get involved in event planning and delivery.
Philosophy students are based at 45 Victoria Street at the heart of the University campus. We're close to the Diamond and the Information Commons, as well as Jessop West, which houses our fellow arts and humanities scholars of history, English, languages, arts and societies.
Facilities
University rankings
A world top-100 university
QS World University Rankings 2026 (92nd) and Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 (98th)
Number one in the Russell Group
National Student Survey 2024 (based on aggregate responses)
92 per cent of our research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent
Research Excellence Framework 2021
University of the Year and best for Student Life
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024
Number one Students' Union in the UK
Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017
Number one for Students' Union
StudentCrowd 2024 University Awards
A top 20 university targeted by employers
The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers report
Fees and funding
Fees
Additional costs
The annual fee for your course includes a number of items in addition to your tuition. If an item or activity is classed as a compulsory element for your course, it will normally be included in your tuition fee. There are also other costs which you may need to consider.
Funding your study
Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a bursary, scholarship or loan to help fund your study and enhance your learning experience.
Use our Student Funding Calculator to work out what you’re eligible for.
Placement and study abroad
Placements
With our third year Work Place Learning module, you can spend time with an organisation from the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ voluntary or private sector gaining skills and experience relevant to philosophy in an applied setting. You can also take part in the award-winning Philosophy in the City group, which introduces school children to philosophical ideas they can apply to everyday life. All of these experiences will help you build a compelling CV.
Study abroad
Visit
University open days
We host five open days each year, usually in June, July, September, October and November. You can talk to staff and students, tour the campus and see inside the accommodation.
Subject tasters
If you’re considering your post-16 options, our interactive subject tasters are for you. There are a wide range of subjects to choose from and you can attend sessions online or on campus.
Offer holder days
If you've received an offer to study with us, we'll invite you to one of our offer holder days, which take place between February and April. These open days have a strong department focus and give you the chance to really explore student life here, even if you've visited us before.
Campus tours
Our weekly guided tours show you what ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ has to offer - both on campus and beyond. You can extend your visit with tours of our city, accommodation or sport facilities.
Events for mature students
Mature students can apply directly to our courses. We also offer degrees with a foundation year for mature students who are returning to education. We'd love to meet you at one of our events, open days, taster workshops or other events.
Apply
The awarding body for this course is the University of ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read and the .
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.