Venues

Gilmorehill Campus

Content

Year 1: In the first year, you will be introduced to key problems in moral and political philosophy, and in philosophy of mind and knowledge. In moral philosophy you will consider questions such as the objectivity of morality and the ways that ethics is applied in the study of difficult practical problems.

In political philosophy you will consider the nature of our obligation (if any) to obey the government and where this obligation comes from. You will also consider theories concerning the relationship between the mind and the world: how do we come to know about the existence of a reality outside of the mind? Is the mind distinct from the body? The course will also examine how we can distinguish between good and bad arguments.

You will also study two other subjects in year 1 according to your interests: see Degrees in Arts, Science and Social Sciences.

Year 2: In second year you will focus on two courses: one broadly based on theory of knowledge, the other on moral and political philosophy. Philosophy 2M: morality, politics and religion will further your studies in moral and political philosophy; Philosophy 2K: knowledge, meaning and inference focuses primarily on questions about knowledge.

You will also begin the study of logic, which is essential to a systematic understanding of the structure of knowledge, and of the way in which questions of language and meaning enter into philosophy.

You will also study one or two other subjects in year 2 according to your interests: see Degrees in Arts, Science and Social Sciences.

Years 3 and 4: If you successfully complete the courses in first and second year, you may progress to Honours (years three and four).

You may take Honours either as a Single Honours student specialising entirely in Philosophy or as a Joint Honours student, taking Philosophy in combination with another subject. Whichever you choose, the Honours programme involves two years of study (Junior and Senior Honours).

Entry Requirements

2026 entry requirements

Standard entry: 5 Highers at AAAAB (by end S6 with min BBBB after S5) including English and a humanities subject at AA (AB or BA may be considered).

Entry to year 2 may be possible with 3 Advanced Highers at AAA in relevant subjects.

Widening access entry: 4 Highers at AABB or BBBB (by end S6) including English and a humanities subject. Completion of pre-entry programme is necessary.