Open University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
Philosophy and psychology seek to answer profound questions about ourselves and our place in the social and physical universe. In this degree, you'll investigate a range of philosophical debates about ethics, justice, scientific knowledge, religion, art, and the self. You'll cover the core approaches in social, cognitive and developmental psychology, and some applied aspects of professional practice. You’ll learn to read and understand scientific and philosophical texts; use different research methods; communicate clearly and logically; and work and think independently. Key features of the course
- Investigate profound questions about human minds and behaviour from two complementary perspectives.
- Engage with current research and discover how both psychologists and philosophers address pressing, real-life issues.
- Learn how to evaluate evidence, construct well-informed arguments and present your conclusions convincingly.
- Develop valuable transferable skills that are highly prized in the workplace, including skills in communication, problem-solving, numeracy and self-management.
Modules
This degree has three stages, each comprising two modules. At Stage 1 you’ll develop essential study skills while engaging with a wide range of topics in the arts and humanities before choosing between discovering how psychologists investigate thinking and behaviour, and a broad introduction to psychology and counselling. Next, in Stage 2, you’ll be introduced to philosophy through six essential topics: philosophy of religion, political philosophy through Plato, philosophy of mind, ethics, knowledge, and philosophy of race. You’ll examine the diverging ideas of philosophers and learn to tackle the big questions of philosophy for yourself. You’ll also explore a broad range of psychological approaches to areas such as identity, language and meaning, personality and the social world – while exploring contemporary psychology and its historical roots. Finally, in Stage 3, you’ll complete your study of philosophy by exploring questions about the value of fiction, the ethics of war, life and death, knowledge and reason. In psychology, you can choose between focusing on social psychology, exploring issues such as gender, multiculturalism, global conflicts and work, or exploring the relationship between counselling and forensic psychology.
How to apply
To apply for this course you will be taken to the provider's website, where you can find out more information and make an application.
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
There are no qualification requirements for this course.
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
2026/2027 academic year fees are not yet available.
Provider information
Open University
Student Recruitment Team
PO Box 197
Milton Keynes
MK7 6BJ