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Philosophy BA (Hons)
Study level: Undergraduate
Explore the nature of reality, the meaning of knowledge and how we should live, as you examine life’s deepest questions and apply philosophical thinking to address today’s critical challenges.
Year of entry
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Sandwich
Duration
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
Course code
V500
Start date
September 2026
Course overview
If big ideas drive you and you refuse to settle for easy answers, this course is for you. Dive into timeless debates on morality, truth and consciousness, while tackling modern issues like fake news, climate change ethics and social injustice.
- Challenge the norm: question preconceived ideas and develop your own view on fundamental questions. This course includes modules spanning topics as diverse as language, mind, knowledge, science, mathematics, reality, morality, technology, gender and more.
- Contemporary debates: develop sharp analytical and research skills, learning to reason through complex philosophical arguments and think critically about contemporary global challenges.
- Career-focused: graduate destinations could include law, policy, journalism, government, education, tech or management.
- Global reach: explore key philosophical perspectives and traditions from around the globe. Explore ideas spanning both analytic and continental philosophy from logical positivism to existentialism, from deduction to phenomenology.
Rated Gold Overall
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023
5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities
QS Stars University Ratings
Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)
QS Best Student Cities Index 2025Why you should study this course
- Real-world applications: focusing on case studies, apply your knowledge and skills to analyse contemporary challenges such as conspiracy theories, climate change, the ethics of artificial intelligence and more.
- Project-based learning: our approach to learning empowers you to actively engage in real-world, meaningful projects. Work on complex problems, create tangible solutions and develop essential skills such as critical thinking, collaboration and communication. Assessments are designed to replicate the type of work and tasks carried out by philosophy graduates. You could find yourself producing industry-ready portfolios, video presentations, podcasts, campaign materials and research outputs that showcase expertise and real-world readiness.
- Take control: you are encouraged to develop your own ideas and tailor learning to your unique interests. Throughout your studies, focus on the topics that you are most passionate about, culminating in a self-directed project in your final year.
- Collaborative learning: be part of a larger community of students through classes with students from other related subjects in your first year. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to attend regular meetings where all philosophy students, regardless of their year, gather to share their thoughts, ideas and collaborate.
What you'll study
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
How you'll learn
Learn through interactive activities and real-world examples, using the same approaches as professional philosophers. It’s all about helping you build the skills you need to feel confident and prepared for your future career.
Teaching methods include:
- interactive seminars where students discuss content and critically engage with material, with support from peers and lecturers
- individual and group project-based activities, developing teamwork and independent research skills
- applied learning where you will engage with real-world scenarios and case studies to analyse and problem-solve
- interdisciplinary experience and connections through shared creative writing and literature modules
- regular ‘course hours’ that allow you to meet your lecturers and build a sense of community within your subject area.
Teaching contact hours
As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. You will normally study one 30-credit module at a time. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.
Teaching hours
Teaching hours may vary depending on your year of study and selected modules. During your first year, you can expect 12-15 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend additional sessions, including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.
Guided and independent study
Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.
Online learning
As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.
Assessment
This course incorporates new and innovative assessment methods aligned with current industry standards, providing you with practical, real-world skills designed to advance your professional readiness and career prospects.
Assessment methods may include:
- written projects such as essays, case studies and policy recommendations
- debates
- presentations
- analysis of real-world problems
- production of campaign or marketing materials
- creative pieces
- digital mediums such as podcasts, videos and vlogs.
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes.
Entry requirements
Typical entry requirements:
Fees and funding
| Student | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|---|---|
| UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | 2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £9,535 per year |
Not available |
| EU | 2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £9,535 per year with EU Support Bursary** 2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £16,800 per year without EU Support Bursary** |
Not available |
| International | 2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £16,800 per year |
Not available |
If you choose to study this course with a professional placement2 or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee3 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. Students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2027/28 will pay £1,500 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,800 if they are paying international fees.
For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.
If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2027/28. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.
For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.
The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:
- Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
- Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).
*Irish student fees
The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.
**EU Support Bursary
Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.
How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?
Facilities
Students will benefit from studying on our well-equipped, modern campus4.
Delia Derbyshire Building
The Delia Derbyshire complex offers more space to learn, design and make, including a hyper-studio for students across all disciplines to collaborate on projects together, a gallery space and an events atrium.
The Library
The library is open 24/7, 364 days a year. It’s where you can access your course’s specialist Academic Liaison Librarian. It’s also home to specialist teams which can support you with your academic writing and maths and statistics questions.
George Eliot building
Named after one of the leading writers of the Victorian age, the George Eliot building is the city centre home of English studies at Coventry University. Mingle with like minded students, cross the Edible Garden campus to relax at the Hub, or take the few minutes walk to immerse yourself in books at the Lanchester library.
Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.
Careers and opportunities
Throughout the course, your academic study will be combined with skills development in a range of areas highly valued by many types of employers. You should learn about and refine your critical thinking and analysis in both written and spoken formats, improving your ability to communicate and present ideas at high levels.
On successful completion of the course, you should be a graduate with a firm sense of global cultural diversity, ready to make a dynamic difference anywhere in the world. You could find yourself working in the following types of roles:
- Policy analyst
- Civil servant
- Intelligence officer
- Consultant and advisor
- Lawyer
- Researcher
- Educator
- NGO/charity worker.
The graduate destinations listed above illustrate potential career paths. You may need to gain additional qualifications or practical experience, pass professional examinations, complete training, cover associated costs and meet specific visa or immigration requirements to secure employment in these fields.
Discover Phoenix+
Phoenix+ brings you together with other students to learn, experience and develop essential knowledge and skills. Whatever destination you choose, it's about preparing you for life after university.
Learn more about Phoenix+How to apply
UK students
International students
Disclaimers
