Philosophy

Philosophy involves thinking carefully and critically about a variety of questions, including:
Is there anything we should or shouldn’t do? Can we know anything, or are we confined to
mere opinion? What should we think about truth, reality, self, mind, God, good and bad,
justice, certainty, risk, freedom, beauty, science, space, or time?

Why Study Philosopy At Warwick?

Warwick’s Philosophy courses are designed to help you develop clear, rigorous, and creative responses to challenging questions in an inspiring intellectual environment.

In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise, 95% of the Department’s researchers were rated “internationally recognised”, with more than half rated “internationally excellent”; our undergraduate programme is designed and informed by high-calibre academics, producing arguments, theories and ideas that are discussed around the world.

We emphasise the study of Philosophy’s core traditions, for example in the works of Plato, Descartes, Hume and Kant, as a background to understanding and critically interrogating philosophical issues.

We balance these traditions with more recent developments, for example in the works of Hegel, Nietzsche, Russell, Sartre, and Wittgenstein.

We provide several fully integrated joint degrees, on which you can study at the intersection of Philosophy and Classical studies, Literature, Mathematics, Politics, Psychology, or Economics.

Studying Philosophy at Warwick will enable you to develop valuable analytical skills, skills of synthesis and imagination and communication skills.

Josh Smith

Student Profile: Josh Smith,

4th year, Mathematics and Philosophy with intercalated year

'I was attracted to Warwick by the chance to study Philosophy and Mathematics. I get the best of two superb departments and my course structure gives me a huge amount of independence. When I decided to study in Berlin on the Erasmus scheme, both departments were very supportive.

I took a language course as part of the degree to brush up my virtually non-existent German then went out to study at one of the city’s top universities. It was an intensely exciting year, and I plan to go back once I’ve graduated. Warwick excels in the support it offers to its students. There’s no hand-holding; you’re free to make your own choices, but if I’ve ever needed help it’s always been available'.

How Will I Be Taught?

The main teaching methods of the Department are the lecture, the lecture-discussion, the seminar, the tutorial and, of course, the writing of essays, and private study. A high number of contact hours and regular feedback enable you to develop philosophical ability. You will have 8–12 contact hours per week of term.

How Will I Be Assessed?

We track your progress, and provide you with feedback, through regular non-assessed work, assessed essays, and written examinations.

What Careers Can A Degree In Philosophy Lead To?

Philosophical training is valuable for a very wide variety of careers. Our students have had success in jobs that require rigorous and imaginative thinking in response to complex problems, including accountancy, banking, consultancy, IT, journalism, law, marketing, media, management, recruitment, as well as teaching and research in Philosophy and related areas.

What Opportunities Are There To Study Abroad?

We run successful undergraduate exchanges with Queen’s University, Ontario, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, enabling 2nd year Philosophy students (Single or Joint Honours) to compete for the chance to spend a full year studying in North America. Modules and examinations taken at Queen’s and Madison count towards the Warwick degree. All students have the option of spending a year at a University in continental Europe under the Erasmus scheme, between the 2nd and 3rd years. This will add a year to your overall period of study and you will thus complete your degree in 4 years. Partners include the Università degli Studi Roma Tre (Italy), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), and Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena (Germany). Students will typically be expected to have completed at least Level 3 (or equivalent) in the target language prior to studying abroad.