Philosophy (BA) Part time
- UCAS code: Direct entry
- Next intake: September 2021
- Duration: 6 years
- Mode: Part time
Why study this course
How should we live our lives? What should we believe? How should we set about trying to answer these questions? How are we even able to think about them? Philosophy investigates these profound issues and addresses today’s great global questions.
As the world’s oldest academic discipline, Philosophy has developed an impressive range of concepts and techniques for addressing complicated problems. In our degree, we equip you to analyse and construct complex chains of reasoning for yourself, developing and refining your thinking skills to consider the great philosophical puzzles past and present.
We pride ourselves on nurturing a friendly, personalised and supportive environment, placing a strong emphasis on individual one-to-one meetings at key points in each semester. In addition, every member of our academic staff is available for two hours every week in term time for you to drop in and chat about your modules or about philosophy more generally.
Looking outwards to our wider community, we explore the great issues of our time in our weekly research seminar series and our regular public philosophy events in the city centre, produced in association with the Royal Institute of Philosophy. We warmly encourage our undergraduate students to participate in these events throughout the year.
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.
Applying for 2020 or 2021
Where you'll study
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. You will not need to achieve these from any specific subjects but please note General Studies will not be accepted.
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.
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.
Award of the IB Diploma with 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.
Find out about our Schools' admissions criteria, offer guarantee scheme, changes to programmes and translating your documents.
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 will require GCSE English or Welsh Language at grade C or grade 4. Alternatively, IGCSE English First Language or English Second Language will be considered at grade C.
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.
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
This is the part-time version of the full-time BA Philosophy course and can be taken over six years rather than the three years for full-time. Students normally take 60 credits per year (as opposed to full-time students who take 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
In year one 60 credits come from core modules and you will then have a wide choice of optional modules.
The three core (compulsory) modules provide a comprehensive grounding in philosophy, while not repeating what some students will already have studied.
Part-time students normally take two years to complete this stage of the programme, following 60 credits per year. Please contact the School directly (encap@cardiff.ac.uk) in order to discuss the options available.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Mind, Thought and Reality | SE4101 | 20 credits |
| Moral and Political Philosophy | SE4103 | 20 credits |
| Four Great Works in Philosophy | SE4104 | 20 credits |
| Darllen Athroniaeth | SE4105 | 20 credits |
| Y Da, Drwg a'r Gwleidyddol | SE4106 | 20 credits |
| Critical Thinking | SE4107 | 20 credits |
| Debates in the History of Philosophy | SE4108 | 20 credits |
| Philosophy Through Fiction and Film | SE4110 | 20 credits |
Year two
Year two is designed to build on the foundation of year one through more focused modules that provide a more solid grounding in particular areas. There are no compulsory modules.
You are encouraged to follow the interests you developed in year one, but also consider what you would like to take in the following year.
Part-time students normally take two years to complete this stage of the programme, following 60 credits per year. Please contact the School directly (encap@cardiff.ac.uk) in order to discuss the options available.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Mind, Thought and Reality | SE4101 | 20 credits |
| Moral and Political Philosophy | SE4103 | 20 credits |
| Four Great Works in Philosophy | SE4104 | 20 credits |
| Darllen Athroniaeth | SE4105 | 20 credits |
| Y Da, Drwg a'r Gwleidyddol | SE4106 | 20 credits |
| Critical Thinking | SE4107 | 20 credits |
| Debates in the History of Philosophy | SE4108 | 20 credits |
| Philosophy Through Fiction and Film | SE4110 | 20 credits |
Year three
Year three is our research-led year, where the modules reflect the current research activities of the staff who teach them, building on the themes studied in year two.
You will read and think about the very same texts that the module leader is currently thinking and writing about.
There is also the opportunity for independent research in the dissertation module.
Part-time students normally take two years to complete this stage of the programme, following 60 credits per year. Please contact the School directly (encap@cardiff.ac.uk) in order to discuss the options available.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy of Science | SE4312 | 20 credits |
| Metaphysics | SE4364 | 20 credits |
| Contemporary Ethical Theory | SE4388 | 20 credits |
| Epistemology | SE4398 | 20 credits |
| Credoau'r Cymry | SE4400 | 20 credits |
| Ancient Philosophy | SE4405 | 20 credits |
| Philosophy of Feminism | SE4418 | 20 credits |
| Philosophy of Psychology | SE4421 | 20 credits |
| Damcaniaethu a Dadfeilio’r Gymdeithas Gyfalafol | SE4423 | 20 credits |
| ENCAP Employability Module | SE6255 | 20 credits |
Year four
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy of Science | SE4312 | 20 credits |
| Metaphysics | SE4364 | 20 credits |
| Contemporary Ethical Theory | SE4388 | 20 credits |
| Epistemology | SE4398 | 20 credits |
| Credoau'r Cymry | SE4400 | 20 credits |
| Ancient Philosophy | SE4405 | 20 credits |
| Philosophy of Feminism | SE4418 | 20 credits |
| Philosophy of Psychology | SE4421 | 20 credits |
| Damcaniaethu a Dadfeilio’r Gymdeithas Gyfalafol | SE4423 | 20 credits |
Year five
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Metaethics | SE4367 | 20 credits |
| Moral Psychology | SE4372 | 20 credits |
| The Problem of Consciousness | SE4379 | 20 credits |
| Dissertation in Philosophy | SE4385 | 20 credits |
| Cyfiawnder Byd-eang | SE4394 | 20 credits |
| Hanes Athroniaeth yr 20fed Ganrif yng Nghymru | SE4396 | 20 credits |
| Cognition and Technology | SE4410 | 20 credits |
| Animal Minds | SE4411 | 20 credits |
| Modern German Philosophy | SE4413 | 20 credits |
| Athroniaeth Crefydd | SE4417 | 20 credits |
| Belief & Irrationality | SE4419 | 20 credits |
| Desires, Emotions and Happiness | SE4420 | 20 credits |
| Ethics of Knowing | SE4422 | 20 credits |
Year six
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Metaethics | SE4367 | 20 credits |
| Moral Psychology | SE4372 | 20 credits |
| The Problem of Consciousness | SE4379 | 20 credits |
| Dissertation in Philosophy | SE4385 | 20 credits |
| Cyfiawnder Byd-eang | SE4394 | 20 credits |
| Hanes Athroniaeth yr 20fed Ganrif yng Nghymru | SE4396 | 20 credits |
| Cognition and Technology | SE4410 | 20 credits |
| Animal Minds | SE4411 | 20 credits |
| Modern German Philosophy | SE4413 | 20 credits |
| Athroniaeth Crefydd | SE4417 | 20 credits |
| Belief & Irrationality | SE4419 | 20 credits |
| Desires, Emotions and Happiness | SE4420 | 20 credits |
| Ethics of Knowing | SE4422 | 20 credits |
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.
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.
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 2013/14, 91% 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.
