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Philosophy and Politics BA (Hons)

UCAS code: LV25 | Full-time | 3 years

Entry requirements

View entry requirements

UK/Ireland fees:

£9,250 per year

International fees:

£22,400 per year

Starts on:

Not a UK or Republic of Ireland student?
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Clearing 2024: find your place at Liverpool

We may have limited places for entry in 2024 for high achieving applicants.

Clearing is open for applications from international students, as well as UK and Republic of Ireland students who have their results. Limited places are available for high-achieving students.

About this course

This programme offers a comprehensive, diverse, inclusive and intellectually stimulating education in philosophy and politics, two subjects which are enhanced when studied in tandem.

Introduction

A detailed understanding of Philosophy enhances the study and practice of Politics. Philosophy is open-ended, questioning and creative, and also involves the critical reading, analysis and understanding of great philosophical texts. Politics shares these features, but also adds more elements of factual knowledge, for instance about the workings of institutions.

Year one concentrates on the development of core philosophical and political knowledge and skills through required modules, while year two consolidates this background and allows some level of choice. The final year allows you to opt to take modules from a wide range of areas and to become acquainted with recently developed or emerging areas of research in the disciplines.

You will become confident in working with abstract concepts and analysing real political practices, and develop skills in analytical, critical and creative thinking. Your presentational and writing abilities will be developed to a level consistent with progression to postgraduate study and/or graduate-level employment. You will develop a number of core transferable skills such as the ability to reconstruct and critically assess arguments, the ability to build a case for a conclusion, and time-management skills.

Year in Industry

This programme is available with a Year in Industry. Year three is spent on a paid placement within an organisation in industry, broadly defined. You will be supported by the School of the Arts and the Department throughout, and your reflective written account of the experience will contribute towards your final degree result. If you wish to study this programme with a Year in Industry, please put the option code ‘YI’ in the ‘Further Choices’ section of your UCAS application form.

What you'll learn

  • A systematic understanding of conceptual and theoretical dimensions of key aspects and issues of both disciplines
  • Confidence in using and thinking reflectively about specialised research techniques and terminology used in either discipline
  • Analytical, argumentative, communication and problem-solving skills
  • Confidence in applying academic study to questions of public concern
  • Conceptual understanding of the main aspects and issues of national and international politics
  • In-depth knowledge of the institutions and policies within the UK and other countries
  • Principles of academic writing and speaking
  • The ability to relate the academic study of politics and communication to questions of public concern and communicate those to specialist and non-specialist audiences
  • Creative, critical and independent thinking
  • Flexibility and adaptability
  • Efficient time and information management
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Entry requirements

Home entry requirements

If you've received your results, you can apply now. You’ll usually need to have achieved BBC or above at A level or meet our requirements for other accepted qualifications. Higher entry criteria may apply for a small number of courses.

If you live in a postcode area where you’re less likely to go to university, or if you’ve spent any time in social care, we’ll take this into account when considering your application. We may be able to make you a reduced offer for the course you want to study.

International entry requirements

International Baccalaureate

26 points overall with no score less than 4, including 5 in SL English or 4 in HL English plus 5 in SL Maths/Maths Studies or 4 in HL Maths/Maths Studies

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education

443 from 2 electives plus one core subject (excluding Citizenship and Social Development) and a minimum grade 3 in core Mathematics. Grade 4 (with no component less than 4) in HKDSE English Language

India Standard XII

Overall average of 70% from four core subjects, a minimum of 75% in English dependent on exam board (not including Hindi, Regional Language, Environmental Education and PE) and a minimum of 50% for Standard X Maths.
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Course options

Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.

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Careers and employability

Graduating with a degree in philosophy will empower you to delve into the profound questions that shape human existence but also position you as a valuable asset in today’s competitive job market.

The School has its own placements and employability officer, and you will have the opportunity to undertake a work placement or a year in industry as part of your programme.

Graduates in Philosophy obtain work in fields such as:

  • advertising and marketing;
  • the arts, broadcasting and journalism;
  • commerce and management;
  • the civil service, law and politics;
  • teaching.

3 in 4 philosophy students find their main activity after graduation meaningful.

Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2018-19.

Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition fees

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year £9,250
Year in industry fee £1,850
Year abroad fee £1,385
International fees
Full-time place, per year £22,400
Year in industry fee £1,850
Year abroad fee £11,200
Fees are correct for the academic year 2024/25. Please note that the Year Abroad fee also applies to the Year in China.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about paying for your studies.

Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.

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Additional study costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about additional study costs.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries to provide tuition fee discounts and help with living expenses while at university.

Check out our Liverpool Bursary, worth up to £2,000 per year for eligible UK students. Or for international students, our Undergraduate Global Advancement Scholarship offers a tuition fee discount of up to £5,000 for eligible international students starting an undergraduate degree from September 2024.

Discover our full range of undergraduate scholarships and bursaries

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Careers and employability

Graduating with a degree in philosophy will empower you to delve into the profound questions that shape human existence but also position you as a valuable asset in today’s competitive job market.

The School has its own placements and employability officer, and you will have the opportunity to undertake a work placement or a year in industry as part of your programme.

Graduates in Philosophy obtain work in fields such as:

  • advertising and marketing;
  • the arts, broadcasting and journalism;
  • commerce and management;
  • the civil service, law and politics;
  • teaching.

3 in 4 philosophy students find their main activity after graduation meaningful.

Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2018-19.

Contact us

Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.

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Last updated 27 June 2024 / Programme terms and conditions