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2023 - 2024
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Course summary

Philosophy is the careful, critical, and reasoned engagement with a wide range of fundamental questions about human existence; about art, politics, justice, right and wrong, truth and knowledge, faith and reason. At Lancaster we approach these questions not only through the history of Western philosophy, examining figures such as Plato, Kant, Descartes and Nietzsche, but also through non-Western approaches to philosophy, and contemporary philosophical discussion of a wide range of topics. Lancaster is distinctive in two respects:

  • a large proportion of our experts specialise in applied philosophy and contribute to discussions about public policy and the law, both nationally and internationally
  • a number of experts specialise in non-Western philosophy, including Indian and Islamic philosophical traditions
These two distinctions make Lancaster uniquely placed to provide a wide-ranging programme that is balanced and rounded, drawing on philosophies from around the world. We have a particular focus on how philosophy can be used in daily life, from government to education, international relations to well-being. In your first year you will take three modules. The cornerstone is the core module Introduction to Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality, which draws on a broad range of philosophical traditions and covers several areas of philosophy including metaphysics and epistemology. It will also develop your ability to reason and think clearly about the most fundamental questions of human existence. We’ll study both European and non-European sources. In the first year we also strongly recommend that you take the complementary module Moral and Political Philosophy. This will develop your ability to reason and think clearly about questions of how we ought to act and organise our lives together. You will also be able to choose a third module from a range of subjects that complement your studies. In the second year and final years you can choose from a broad range of options. These are just some of the many modules we offer:
  • Indian Philosophical and religious Thought
  • Metaphysics
  • Understanding Liberty: Theory and Practice
  • Mind-Body Problem
  • Moral Philosophy
  • Nineteenth Century Philosophy
  • Philosophical Questions in the Study of Politics and Economics
  • Philosophy of Science
  • Values and Objectivity
  • Exploring Politics, Religion and Values
  • Aesthetics
  • Darwinism and Philosophy
  • Feminist Philosophy
  • Future Generations
  • The Imagination
  • PPR in India – includes three weeks at Manipal University in India
To prepare students for their work placement year, our Careers and Placements Team will provide advice and guidance on: the skills required to create effective CVs, cover letters and applications; tips and techniques on how to make an impact at interviews and assessment centres; how to create a relevant digital profile; and how to research employers and career sectors of interest. In addition, there is great emphasis placed upon developing self-awareness and on how to present yourself in a professional manner to employers. This optional provision will be delivered via a blend of traditional and digital methods including face-to-face workshops, online webinars, e-courses and 1:1 appointments. The University will use all reasonable effort to support you to find a suitable placement for your studies. While a placement role may not be available in a field or organisation that is directly related to your academic studies or career aspirations, all placement roles offer valuable experience of working at a graduate level and gaining a range of professional skills. If you are unsuccessful in securing a suitable placement for your third year, you will be able to transfer to the equivalent non-placement degree scheme and continue with your studies at Lancaster, finishing your degree after your third year.

How to apply

25Jan

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:
V501
Institution code:
L14
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Unistats information

Operated by the Office for Students
87%
Student satisfaction
35%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
90%
Go onto work and study

The student satisfaction data is from students surveyed during the Covid-19 pandemic. 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

England £9250 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 Year 1
Scotland £9250 Year 1
Wales £9250 Year 1

Additional fee information

For details of the fees for Channel Islands and international students, please visit our website for details of the specific fees for the degree programme you wish to study.
Philosophy (Placement Year) at Lancaster University - UCAS