Undergraduate
BA and Diploma in Philosophy
Is this programme for me?
BA
For thousands
of years, people have asked fundamental questions about the
world, their place in it, and their relations to each other.
These questions, and attempts to answer them, define the
subject matter of philosophy. With our prestigious BA degree
in Philosophy, you can participate in the exciting and
fundamental enterprise that is philosophy: the asking and
answering of the deep questions that have so centrally figured
in human thought.
Studying
Philosophy is more than an fulfilling intellectual challenge.
It will greatly improve your powers of reasoning and argument,
your ability to organise your thought and your understanding
of people. While not itself a vocational subject, it is well
known that the study of philosophy is an excellent preparation
for success in law, administration, and business.
Diploma
An ideal option if you
don't feel ready to commit to a full degree programme or
don't satisfy the entrance requirements for the degree.
Once you pass the Diploma you will be invited to
transfer your registration to the BA.
Download
Frequently Asked Questions
[pdf: 2pgs, 89KB; New window]
about BA and Diploma in Philosophy.
Programme aims
-
to enable you to gain an outstanding facility in
critically examining complex questions and a trained
mind with which to embark upon a myriad of career
opportunities
-
to provide a thorough grounding in
the central areas of philosophy. You will study a range
of philosophical works from classical times to the
present day. Subjects include the meaning of existence
and reality; knowledge and belief; mind, thought, reason
and logic; truth and meaning; and the ethical and
aesthetic values of goodness and beauty
-
to help you acquire a broad range of
skills including the ability to analyse complex ideas
and the capacity for original thought.
Programme structure
The BA consists of 10
units; the Diploma consists of 4 units (the
'Introduction to philosophy' unit provides a serious,
yet gentle, initiation into the subject).
New short
course available
You can now
take the unit 'Introduction to
philosophy' [pdf: 2pgs, 59KB]
as a short course. This provides an excellent opportunity to
see for yourself what the study of philosophy involves. If you
obtain a mark of 50 or above, you can apply for the Diploma in
Philosophy and will be credited with a pass in this unit.
Prestige and career
progression
The programme has been
developed by Birkbeck, one of the highest ranking
Philosophy departments in the UK. Through their writing
and editorial work, academics in the department are
significant contributors to the worldwide philosophical
community.
The BA degree will prepare you for many careers
including the public services, teaching and research,
journalism, media and business.
Flexible study at a
reasonable cost
You have 3-8
years to complete the BA degree and 1-5 years to complete the
Diploma. For the BA, the total fee payable to the University
is £2,981; the total fee for the Diploma is £1,341. Please
note that these figures do not reflect any annual fee increase
and assume completion in the minimum study period permitted.
Study materials
The study materials
include:
Studying for a Degree in the
Humanities and Social Sciences
· Student handbook
· Subject guides
· Past exam papers and Examiners'
reports
· Regulations
Note:
You need to provide your own textbooks - so before you
register for the programme the University will advise
you to consider the facilities available to you locally,
and how accessible books are likely to be.
Study support
You can either study
independently at a pace that suits you, or enrol for
additional classes at a local institution (either full
or part time) and benefit from the more formalized
support this provides.
|
Summary of key dates |
|
Application deadline |
17 September (non-EU)
17 October (EU)
in the year before you
intend to sit your first examinations
|
| Registration deadline |
30 November |
| Despatch of study
materials |
Shortly after
your registration form is received |
| Start studying |
As soon as you
receive your study materials |
| Examinations take
place |
May |
