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Philosophy

Considering the great philosophical puzzles past and present, we'll teach you to analyse and construct complex chains of reasoning to address complicated questions from history and the here and now.

Why study with us

We value and celebrate curiosity, informed debate, critical analysis and creative thinking. We see our role as partnering and enabling you in your learning by delivering expert teaching in a friendly, supportive and personalised culture.

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Excellent career prospects

92% of graduates were in employment and/or further study, due to start a new job or course, or doing other activities such as travelling, 15 months after the end of their course. (Graduate Outcomes survey 2020/21)

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Combine your interests

We offer a range of joint honours programmes where you can combine philosophy with another humanities subject.

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Award-winning staff

We regularly host Royal Institute of Philosophy branch events and lectures, opening up latest thinking from leading experts.

Courses

Entry year

English Language and Philosophy (BA)

Full time, 3 years

Combine the systematic study of the human capacity for language and a firm grounding in all key aspects of language analysis, together with the ability to analyse major philosophical questions from history and to create the complex reasoning needed

English Literature and Philosophy (BA)

Full time, 3 years

Discover the diversity of literature in English across all periods, together with the ability to analyse major philosophical questions from history and to create the complex reasoning needed to address the here and now, in our Joint Honours degree.

Philosophy (BA)

Full time, 3 years

Considering the great philosophical puzzles past and present, our degree will develop your ability to analyse major questions from history and to create the complex reasoning needed to address the here and now.

Politics and Philosophy (BA)

Full time, 3 years

Explore and test the basic beliefs and values that underpin our ideas about Politics. Discover the major philosophical puzzles from history and cultivate your own complex reasoning to address the great questions of today.

Religious Studies and Philosophy (BA)

Full time, 3 years

Explore the histories, cultures and beliefs of less well-known and major religious traditions in this joint honours combination with Philosophy, equipping you to analyse major philosophical questions from history and create the complex reasoning

Welsh and Philosophy (BA)

Full time, 3 years

The Joint Honours degree in Philosophy and Welsh provides you with the opportunity of specialising in two university honours subjects.

Our videos

Philosophy at Cardiff University

Philosophy at Cardiff University

Hear from an academic about what it is like to study Philosophy with us.

The research seminars and conferences the School holds have been amazing while the array of specialisms has allowed me to gain a wide understanding of various areas of philosophy.
Jack Lane BA Philosophy

Learn more about us

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Supporting employability

Our focused career support ranges from placements to guest speakers, masterclasses and workshops to help you take your first steps to your chosen career.

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Wide choice of joint honours options

You can choose to combine two subjects with a joint honours programme, including options with History, Economics, Politics and a wide range of humanities subjects including modern languages.

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Where you will study

Most lectures, tutorials and seminars take place in our home, the John Percival Building at the heart of the Cathays Park campus.

Encouraging critical rigour, creativity and intellectual inquisitiveness

Our teaching is underpinned by world-leading and internationally excellent research. We bring together the highest levels of scholarship with a record of innovation and engagement that has helped define our fields and effect change in the world beyond academia.

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Student support

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Guaranteed accommodation

If you arrive in September, you're guaranteed a single occupancy room, and you'll be allocated with other first-year students.

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Student life

Learn more about our sport and recreation, free language programmes, living costs, learning support and the Students' Union.

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Living costs

See how far your money goes by using our living costs calculator.

Next steps

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View all philosophy undergraduate courses

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Learn more about our courses, School and the wider University.

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Contact us

Ask a question via our enquiry form, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

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How to apply

Everything you need to know about our application process.

Other subjects you might be interested in

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English language and literature

Explore the diversity of English literature across the chronological span, making lively connections with all forms of culture. Or choose to investigate the human capacity for language with a rigorous grounding in all the key aspects of language analysis.

Source: Contains HESA Data: Copyright Jisc 2023. Jisc cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data.