Philosophy and Economics (BA)
- Subject areas:
- Economics,
- Philosophy
- UCAS code: VL51
- Next intake: September 2021
- Duration: 3 years
- Mode: Full time
Why study this course
The BA in Philosophy and Economics aims to develop your understanding of economic analysis and economic problems as they relate to a wider range of social and political issues, while cultivating 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.
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
- the opportunity to study in two subject areas with different social science perspectives
- the experience of learning within different teaching environments, interacting with students and staff across the University
- the wide variety of modules and subject areas available to students within Economics and Philosophy.
Subject area: Economics
Subject area: Philosophy
Entry requirements
ABB-BBB
Extended/International Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ/IPQ 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 Diploma in Business.
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.
- GCSE Maths grade B/6 or equivalent qualification (subject and grade). If you are taking A-level Maths (or equivalent), GCSE Maths is not required. Core Maths may also be accepted in place of GCSE Maths.
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
Students from the UK
| Tuition fee (2021/22) | Deposit |
|---|---|
| £9,000 | None |
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU/EEA/Swiss national, unless you qualify for UK fee status, tuition fees for 2021/22 will be in line with the fees charged for international students. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Students from the rest of the world (international)
| Tuition fee (2021/22) | Deposit |
|---|---|
| £18,450 | None |
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
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.
Living costs
We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Course structure
This full-time course lasts for three years with two semesters per year, split between the two subjects. There are 120 credits a year. Most modules are worth 20 credits.
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 philosophy and 60 credits in economics.
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 are also compulsory modules in macroeconomics and microeconomics.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Stats and Maths in Econ and Business | BS1501 | 20 credits |
| Microeconomics | BS1551 | 20 credits |
| Macroeconomics | BS1652 | 20 credits |
| Mind, Thought and Reality | SE4101 | 20 credits |
| Moral and Political Philosophy | SE4103 | 20 credits |
| Critical Thinking | SE4107 | 20 credits |
Year two
You will take 60 credits in philosophy and 60 credits in economics. Macroeconomic theory and microeconomic theory modules are compulsory.
You will also choose your remaining modules from a large range of options.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Macroeconomic Theory | BS2549 | 20 credits |
| Microeconomic Theory | BS2550 | 20 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| British Economy | BS2547 | 20 credits |
| Money Banking and Finance | BS2551 | 20 credits |
| Economics of the EU | BS2558 | 20 credits |
| Managerial Economics | BS2560 | 20 credits |
| Introductory Econometrics | BS2570 | 20 credits |
| State, Business and the British Economy in the Twentieth Century | BS2572 | 20 credits |
| Philosophy of Mind | SE4313 | 20 credits |
| Philosophy of Contemporary Politics | SE4363 | 20 credits |
| Metaphysics | SE4364 | 20 credits |
| French Existentialism | SE4369 | 20 credits |
| Contemporary Ethical Theory | SE4388 | 20 credits |
| Epistemology | SE4398 | 20 credits |
| Credoau'r Cymry | SE4400 | 20 credits |
| Ancient Philosophy | SE4405 | 20 credits |
| What to Believe in the Age of the Internet | SE4407 | 20 credits |
| Philosophy of Feminism | SE4418 | 20 credits |
| Damcaniaethu a Dadfeilio’r Gymdeithas Gyfalafol | SE4423 | 20 credits |
| Aesthetics | SE4424 | 20 credits |
Year three
You will take 60 credits in philosophy and 60 credits in economics.
In philosophy specialised modules let you pursue your interests and engage with current issues in research and scholarship.
In economics your techniques in mathematics and statistics will have advanced and you will be able to apply economic analysis to theoretical debates in economics and assess alternative arguments.
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.
Year 1
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
25%
Guided independent study
75%
Placements
0%
Year 2
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
22%
Guided independent study
78%
Placements
0%
Year 3
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
21%
Guided independent study
79%
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
78%
Practical exams
0%
Coursework
22%
Year 2
Written exams
71%
Practical exams
0%
Coursework
29%
Year 3
Written exams
55%
Practical exams
4%
Coursework
41%
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.
BUSINESS SCHOOL
In 2015/16, 92% of the School’s graduates who were available for work reported they were in employment and/or further study within six months of graduating.
Economics is an intellectually stimulating discipline and the skills of economics graduates are often in demand by employers in both the public and private sector. Whatever career you pursue, the skills acquired during your degree (problem solving ability, quantitative techniques and analytical skills), will undoubtedly be welcomed by employers.
In addition to the University Careers Service, we have invested in our own, dedicated careers centre to help students find internships, job opportunities and access business industry specific advice and guidance.
