Philosophy and History (BA)
- UCAS code: VV15
- Next intake: September 2021
- Duration: 3 years
- Mode: Full time
Entry Year
Why study this course
The BA in History and Philosophy aims to develop your knowledge and critical understanding of the political, social, economic, and cultural structures of past societies and to cultivate your intellectual and critical skills.
Each School involved in delivering the degree offers a challenging course of modules, supported by a friendly atmosphere and excellent staff-student relationships.
History at Cardiff covers the period from the fall of the Roman Empire to the present day. There is a balance between modules covering specific historical periods and thematic modules that examine broad social and cultural topics, such as warfare, gender, religion, art, medicine and science.
There are two related aspects of the philosophy course at Cardiff that mark it out among Russell Group universities. One is that there is a strong emphasis on ethics, politics, and aesthetics among the modules on offer. The other is that our research and teaching is spread equally across both the ‘analytic’ and ‘Continental’ styles of Western philosophy, allowing students to develop a full understanding of both with the possibility of an informed choice to specialise in one approach or the other.
The degree provides the training necessary for students who wish to study either discipline at postgraduate level and a valuable range of intellectual and transferable skills for students who wish to enter other professions.
Distinctive features
The distinctive features of the course include:
- a strong emphasis on ethics, politics, and aesthetics
- equal attention to ‘analytic’ and ‘Continental’ styles of Western philosophy
- history gives opportunities for learning and teaching through the medium of Welsh.
Where you'll study
School of History, Archaeology and Religion
Curious about the human experience across millennia and cultures, we are seeking to better understand our past, to illuminate our present and improve our future.
School of English, Communication and Philosophy
Powered by pioneering research, we celebrate curiosity, engage in informed debate and critical analysis, and encourage creative thinking - across and beyond our disciplines.
Entry requirements
ABB-BBB
Extended Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard A level offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.
The Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in lieu of one A-Level (at the grades listed above), excluding any specified subjects.
DDM in a BTEC Extended Diploma in Humanities and Social Science subjects.
32-31 overall or 665 in 3 HL subjects.
Other UK qualifications may also be accepted, often in lieu of A-levels, but subject requirements must be met. If you are offering non-UK qualifications, our qualification equivalences guide should allow you to calculate what kind of offer you are likely to receive.
Please be aware that this is a general guide, and that some programmes may have more detailed or specific entry requirements which will be reflected in your offer.
GCSE
Grade C or grade 4 in GCSE English Language.
IELTS (academic)
At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill.
TOEFL iBT
At least 90 overall with minimum scores of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading and 20 for speaking.
PTE Academic
At least 62 overall with a minimum of 51 in all communicative skills.
Trinity ISE II/III
II: at least two Distinctions and two Merits.
III: at least a Pass in all components.
Other accepted qualifications
Please visit our English Language requirements page for more information on our other accepted language qualifications.
You must have or be working towards:
- English language or Welsh language at GCSE grade C/4 or an equivalent (such as A-levels). If you require a Tier 4 visa, you must ensure your language qualification complies with UKVI requirements.
We do not accept Critical Thinking, General Studies, Citizenship Studies, or other similar equivalent subjects.
We will accept a combination of BTEC subjects, A-levels, and other qualifications, subject to the course specific grade and subject requirements.
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course. If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Please see our admissions policies for more information about the application process.
Tuition fees
UK and EU students (2021/22)
We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2021/22 academic year. Fees for the previous year were £9,000.
Students from outside the EU (2021/22)
We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2021/22 academic year.
Additional costs
Course specific equipment
You will not need any specific equipment.
Accommodation
We have a range of residences to suit your needs and budget. Find out more on our accommodation pages.
Course structure
We are currently working with our students to update and improve the content of this course. The information shown below reflects the current curriculum and is likely to change. The review of the course is expected to be completed by August 2021 and this page will be updated by end of October 2021 to reflect the changes.
This full-time course lasts for three years with two semesters per year, split between the two subjects. There are 120 credits a year.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2021/22 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2021.
Year one
You will take 60 credits in history and 60 credits in philosophy.
The compulsory philosophy modules focus on the nature of thinking and introduce the central concepts, theories, arguments, and approaches of contemporary moral and political theory.
There is a choice of history modules.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| History in Practice Part 1: Questions, Frameworks and Audiences. | HS1119 | 20 credits |
| Mind, Thought and Reality | SE4101 | 20 credits |
| Moral and Political Philosophy | SE4103 | 20 credits |
| Critical Thinking | SE4107 | 20 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| A World Full of Gods | HS0001 | 20 credits |
| Projecting the Past: Film, Media and Heritage | HS0002 | 20 credits |
| The Making of The Modern World, 1750-1970 | HS1105 | 20 credits |
| Medieval Worlds, AD 500 -1500 | HS1112 | 20 credits |
| Renaissance, Reformation and Revolution | HS1117 | 20 credits |
| History in Practice Part 2: Sources, Evidence and Argument. | HS1120 | 20 credits |
| Modern Britain: Ideas, Politics, Society and Culture | HS1135 | 20 credits |
| Introduction to Ancient History 1: Gods, Kings and Citizens, 1000-323 BCE | HS3105 | 20 credits |
| Introduction to Ancient History 2: Empires East and West, 323 BCE to 680 CE | HS3106 | 20 credits |
Year two
You will take 60 credits in history and 60 credits in philosophy. You have the chance to design a degree that suits you, choosing from a large range of optional modules.
Year three
You will take 60 credits in history and 60 credits in philosophy.
If you wish, you can write a dissertation on a topic of your choice in either discipline. This provides a chance for you to focus your interests on a particular area or period.
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
We offer a supportive learning environment, where you are enabled to acquire a range of skills and a wealth of specialist knowledge. Our courses foster intellectual skills, such as critical thinking, close analysis, evaluating evidence, constructing arguments, using theory and the effective deployment of language in writing and in debate. We also help you gain experience in team working, independent research and time management
You will be taught both by lecture and seminar. Lectures provide an overview of the key concepts and frameworks for a topic, equipping you to carry out independent research for the seminars and to develop your own ideas.
Seminars provide an opportunity for you to explore the ideas outlined in the lectures. Seminars usually consist of about 15 students and the seminar leader (a member of the teaching team). Seminars may take various formats, including plenary group discussion, small-group work and student-led presentations.
History provides opportunities for learning and teaching through the medium of Welsh. Subject to staff availability, seminar teaching in Welsh is available on some or all of the major core courses, and at least one Welsh language option is offered in years two and three.
Welsh language supervision is also available for long essays (Exploring Historical Debate) and dissertations, and you may choose to write all or some of your assessed work and examinations in Welsh.
Year 1
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
20%
Guided independent study
80%
Placements
0%
Year 2
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
18%
Guided independent study
82%
Placements
0%
Year 3
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
18%
Guided independent study
82%
Placements
0%
How will I be supported?
Your scheduled contact hours will be supplemented by the opportunity for individual meetings with academic staff, by supportive academic progress meetings with your personal tutor and by the opportunity to attend research seminars and careers activities.
You will have access through the Learning Central website to relevant multimedia material, presentations, lecture handouts, bibliographies, further links, electronic exercises and discussion circles.
The University offers a range of services including the Careers Service, the Counselling Service, the Disability and Dyslexia Service, the Student Support Service, and excellent libraries and resource centres.
Feedback
We’ll provide you with frequent feedback on your work. This comes in a variety of formats including oral feedback during tutorials, personalised feedback on written work, feedback lectures, generic written feedback and feedback on tutorial performance.
Coursework will be marked by your module tutor and your tutor will give you written feedback on your work. You will also have a feedback class after each assessment. Students will be given general feedback in relation to examinations following the May/June examination period and you will be able to discuss your overall performance with your personal tutor as part of the monitored student self-assessment scheme.
Year 1
Written exams
45%
Practical exams
0%
Coursework
55%
Year 2
Written exams
42%
Practical exams
3%
Coursework
55%
Year 3
Written exams
42%
Practical exams
7%
Coursework
52%
What skills will I practise and develop?
As a result of engaging fully with this course, you will acquire and develop a range of valuable skills, both those which are discipline specific and more generic ‘employability skills’, which will allow you to:
- grasp complex issues with confidence
- ask the right questions of complex texts
- have an imaginative appreciation of different views and options and analyse these critically
- identify and apply relevant data
- propose imaginative solutions of your own that are rooted in evidence
- communicate clearly, concisely and persuasively in writing and speech
- work to deadlines and priorities, managing a range of tasks at the same time
- learn from constructive criticism and incorporate its insights
- work as part of a team, developing a collaborative approach to problem-solving
- use IT programmes and digital media, where appropriate
- take responsibility for your own learning programme and professional development.
Careers
Career prospects
SCHOOL OF ENGLISH, COMMUNICATION AND PHILOSOPHY
In 2015/16, 95% of the School’s graduates who were available for work reported they were in employment and/or further study within six months of graduating.
Philosophy graduates have excellent analytic and communication skills that fit them for a full range of professions and further training. Their cultural expertise and intellectual abilities are valued in the public and private sector, and in contexts as varied as the classroom, the law courts or the media.
SCHOOL OF HISTORY, ARCHAEOLOGY AND RELIGION
In 2015/16, 94% of the School’s graduates who were available for work reported they were in employment and/or further study within six months of graduating.
We organise interactive workshops with the Careers Service to help students identify their skills and attributes. History graduates find work in a wide range of related and non-related professional employment. Some choose to undertake postgraduate study at Cardiff or elsewhere, and some have become internationally reputed historians.
