University of Birmingham has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
Philosophy helps you to acquire the philosophical skills and background knowledge to enable you to engage with some of the deepest questions human beings have ever asked and History can enable you to understand them through past events. If you want to understand the past to prepare for your future in a changing world, studying History is the way forward. As well as covering modern, early modern and medieval, our degree course offers considerable scope to study the wider world. You get the chance to question some of the prevailing myths, preconceptions and prejudices which surround the writing of History. Philosophy is for people who find they are bothered by questions that their friends can cheerfully ignore; people who do not want to settle for conventional answers and received wisdom, but want to arrive at answers that stand up to the most searching examination. Studying undergraduate Philosophy here will give you access to world-class talent in fields as diverse as Metaphysics, Philosophy of Psychiatry, Epistemology, Ethics, Philosophy of Religion, Philosophy of Mind and many others. Both the History and Philosophy departments at the University of Birmingham have a friendly and relaxed atmosphere in an intellectually challenging and stimulating environment. Why study this course? Flexible programme - Our History and Philosophy Joint Honours degree course offers you a wide range of modules so that you can build a degree programme that suits your interests and enables you to develop your skills in both subjects. Present day application - our modules explore how the past informs the present and provides a global historical understanding from the Middle Ages to this century, all through a modern lens. Get ahead in the graduate market - take advantage of our work-based placements and employability focused modules and enter the workplace with the skills required to shape the digital and creative agendas of the future. Rewarding student experience - At Birmingham we believe that teaching hours should be complemented by a wide-range of academic opportunities and social occasions. Join our community you'll have access to, among many other things, a student experience team who co-ordinate performances, talks, trips, podcasts, quizzes and celebrations and bespoke academic writing advice. World leading discourse - The Department is at the forefront of philosophical discussion and debate. We collaborate across disciplines and borders. Our world leading research as part of Mental Health Humanities at Birmingham is pushing the boundaries of cross disciplinary dialogue in the universities dynamic mental health research agenda. Top 150 for Philosophy in QS World Subject Rankings 2024 11th for Philosophy in the Complete University Guide 2025 13th for History in the Complete University Guide 2025
Modules
First-year modules cover a broad base of the subject and are designed to introduce you to ways of studying at university. By the final year the modules you take will become more specialised and reflect the research expertise of the academic staff. More detailed module information can be found on the ‘Course detail’ tab on the University of Birmingham’s coursefinder web pages.
How to apply
29Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- VV15
- Institution code:
- B32
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - AAB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 32 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
GCSE/National 4/National 5
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
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
For details of the annual tuition fee for International Students please see the course web page listed in the 'course details' section above.
If you are made an offer to study by the University, the yearly tuition fee will be stated in your offer letter.
Provider information
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT