What is philosophy?
Is a human being just a complicated biological machine and the brain a computer, or is there something spiritual about us? Is the world a construct of our minds or is it there anyway, whether we think about it or not? Is there a right way for human beings to live and behave, or is it all a matter of individual taste or opinion? These are typical philosophical questions, and are likely to occur to most people at some point in their lives. Philosophers try to answer these and similar questions systematically, on the basis of reasoned and cogent argument.
Studying philosophy helps us to understand the world, to be more rational, to eliminate prejudice and bigotry and to be clearer about the really big questions in life. It encourages fair-mindedness, tolerance, and healthy, constructive scepticism, alongside an enhanced ability to understand opposing points of view, even when we think they are incorrect or incoherent.
How will I study?
You will be introduced to a broad selection of contemporary philosophical problems, arguments and theories, and to the work of historical philosophers such as Plato, Descartes, Locke and Hume, with a view to learning how to philosophise for yourselves.
Lecture classes tend to be informal, with discussion invited. There is further discussion in seminar groups. As a first-year student, you will have tutorials introducing you to the Department and to the study of philosophy, emphasising the importance of discussion and thinking for yourself about philosophical issues.
If you are a single honours student you will take a combination of compulsory and optional modules, mainly from those offered by the Department of Philosophy, but also from a choice of subsidiary modules from outside the Department.
A joint honours degree is split between your two subjects and the philosophy half of your degree is normally made up of 60 credits each year (although this may vary for some joint honours degrees.)
Assessment
Assessment is by a mixture of exams and coursework. In the first year, you will need to pass your exams in order to progress to the second year, but the marks obtained do not count towards the final degree classification. The third-year examinations and assessments are given more weight in the final degree assessment.
Studying abroad
We offer opportunities in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States.
Further information can be found on our study abroad web pages.
Career prospects
Philosophical skills are highly transferable. A philosophy graduate is likely to be well equipped for any career that centres on the ability to master complex issues, to separate clearly the essential factors from irrelevancies and to make a reasoned decision on the outcome. Philosophy is a tough and rigorous intellectual discipline, and philosophical skills play an integral role in business and the professions.
More generally, the whole range of careers typically followed by arts graduates is also open to philosophy graduates, such as administration, teaching, accounting and finance, social work, law, performing arts, TV or radio, journalism and personnel work.
Application and interview
Offers are normally made without interview.
Open days
UCAS visit days for students offered a place are normally held from late January to March. You are welcome to visit at other times – please contact us or for dates of our open days visit
www.nottingham.ac.uk/opendays