Questions about religion and ethics are considered by us all at some point in our lives. And it’s these questions that lie at the heart of this course. 

You’ll consider theories about the meaning of existence, divinity, who we are as individuals, and our relation to the transcendent from Eastern, African, and Western cultural perspectives and religious institutions. You’ll explore how these theories have shaped our ideas about humanity, and the challenges the modern world poses. And along the way, you’ll find your philosophical voice and develop a rich set of analytical and critical skills invaluable for your future – with the power to influence others and drive change.

As a philosophy student you will be joining a hub of research active philosophers with local, national and international impact, with many of them being invited to present at major international conferences and workshops. Our staff work across key areas including metaethics, normative ethics and philosophy of religion – with this expertise behind us, we can give you a rounded, balanced understanding of the subject.

You may also have the opportunity to spend your third year studying overseas, including in the US, or on placement, with opportunities available in Britain or abroad. 

Placement options

You may have the chance to spend a year getting a taste of professional life. It is an opportunity to develop core skills and explore how this course can relate to the graduate world, and it shows employers that you’re ready to get to work.

You are free to choose placement opportunities from a wide range of roles both in the UK and abroad. Students choosing this option are supported by a dedicated placement team who provide links to employers through presentations, events, and fairs, and provide a specialist programme of guidance on recruitment procedures including CV and interview preparation, as well as work readiness and working overseas.

Because philosophy teaches you not what to think, but how to think, its study naturally leads to the development of many skills that are highly valued by employers, for example the ability to think clearly, logically, and creatively, to communicate articulately and accurately (both verbally and in writing), and to analyse critically and rigorously. A degree in ethics, religion and philosophy opens a wide range of career paths, from roles in the civil service, teaching and not-for-profits, to the media, banking and recruitment. 

There is also the opportunity to engage in further study and professional training, for example some of our graduates go on to study MA Philosophy, which focuses on a rich and varied tradition of philosophical theory across Anglo-American and the continental European traditions.