Open University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
This is one of several specialist routes available in our BA (Honours) Social Sciences. You'll study core modules in interdisciplinary social science and sociology, giving you a firm grounding in ideas central to the social sciences. This will be combined with discovering more about the ideas held by classic and contemporary philosophers and learning to think about the big questions of philosophy for yourself. You’ll explore a range of debates in ethics and political philosophy, as well as questions about the nature of the self, the existence of God, and the limits of human knowledge. Key features of the course
- Specialise in philosophy within a broad interdisciplinary social science degree.
- Gain an understanding of the concepts, theories, and debates in key areas of philosophy.
- Develop critical judgement in your understanding and interpretation of philosophical texts.
- Learn how to analyse and construct philosophical arguments.
Modules
This degree has three stages. At Stage 1, you’ll begin with a broad introductory module exploring key concepts, evidence and sources of knowledge in the social sciences, examining topics from criminology, development, economics, geography, politics, philosophy, religious studies, and sociology. You’ll then either learn about people, events, practices, ideas, and works of art from three thousand years ago to the present day, or explore some of the turning points that shaped the modern world, looking at revolutionary change through the perspectives of history, music, philosophy, and religion. At Stage 2 you’ll begin exploring how the social world is being transformed by the internet and digital technology. Next, 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. At Stage 3, you’ll choose from a range of social science modules. You’ll complete your degree by investigating a further five topics in philosophy: truth in fiction; war; reason and action; the value of life; knowledge and reason.
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