Philosophy (BA): 4-year, part-time

Birkbeck, University of London

Bachelor's degree

In London

£ 6,935 VAT inc.

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Description

  • Type

    Bachelor's degree

  • Location

    London

  • Duration

    4 Years

Come and explore some of the most profound questions it is possible to ask, with some of the most eminent philosophers in the country. What makes something good or just? Is the human mind just a lump of grey matter? Can I know that I'm not trapped inside The Matrix? Do we have free will? Does God exist? Does science provide us with a special kind of knowledge? Who decides what counts as beautiful?

Our BA Philosophy provides a thorough grounding in the central areas of philosophy for students from all educational backgrounds. This prestigious degree fosters independent judgement, original thought and the ability to analyse complex ideas and arguments. It offers a wide range of option modules. Moreover, the Philosophy Department at Birkbeck maintains close connections with other departments in the University of London. We often welcome students on our modules from UCL, KCL and SOAS and our students, in return, also have the opportunity to take modules with our intercollegiate partners.

This course is also available for full-time evening study over three years.

Facilities

Location

Start date

London
See map
Malet Street, WC1E 7HX

Start date

On request

About this course

Graduates can pursue careers in education, research, politics and journalism. This degree can also be useful in becoming a higher education lecturer, civil service fast streamer, local government officer or newspaper journalist.

We offer a comprehensive Careers Service to help you advance your career, while our in-house, professional recruitment consultancy, Birkbeck Talent, works with London’s top employers to help you gain work experience that fits in with your evening studies.

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

Awarding Body
University of London

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Subjects

  • Science Philosophy
  • Ancient Philosophy
  • Art
  • Biology
  • Modern Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Options
  • Political Philosophy
  • Philosophy
  • Ethics
  • Epistemology
  • Metaphysics
  • Logic
  • Part Time
  • Professor Training
  • History of Philosophy

Course programme

COURSE STRUCTURE

In Years 1 and 2, you take eight Level 4 compulsory modules, giving you a rigorous grounding in the central areas of philosophy.

In Years 2, 3 and 4, you take Level 5 and 6 option modules in each of the Fact, History and Value categories, to ensure a breadth of study across a range of philosophical subjects and methodologies. There are different assessment modes depending on the module level.
  • Fact options concern the nature of reality and how we know about it: What is knowledge? What is the relation between the mind and body? Why is science successful? When are we rational?
  • History options explore the theories and arguments of major figures in the history of philosophy, from Aristotle and Plato to Spinoza and Margaret Cavendish, Hegel and Nietzsche to Adorno and Foucault. Options may offer overviews of different eras or focus on the ideas of specific thinkers.
  • Value options concern questions about what we care about and how we should live, such as: What makes an action right or wrong? What is the best form of government? How does gender matter? Why is art valuable?
In Year 4, you may also write a dissertation on a topic of your choice, or choose two further options.

Overall, you will gain 120 credits at each of Levels 4, 5 and 6.

COMPULSORY MODULES
  • Identity, Mind and Free Will
  • Knowledge and Faith
  • Logic A - The Philosopher's Toolbox
  • Logic B - The Languages of Logic
  • Morality and Society
  • Philosophy as the Art of Living: Modern Views
  • Philosophy as the Art of Living: Ancient Views
  • Politics and Society
OPTION MODULES: FACT
  • Epistemology (Level 5, 15 credits)
  • Epistemology (Level 6, 15 credits)
  • Metaphysics (Level 5, 15 credits)
  • Metaphysics (Level 6, 15 credits)
  • Philosophical Logic (level 5)
  • Philosophy of Mind
  • Philosophy of Mind (Level 5, 15 credits)
  • Philosophy of Science
  • Philosophy of Science (Level 5, 15 credits)
  • Rationality: Formal and Theoretical Approaches (Level 6)
  • Social Epistemology (Level 6, 15 credits)
  • Social Epistemology (Level 5)
OPTION MODULES: HISTORY
  • Ancient and Medieval Philosophy (level 5)
  • Ancient and Medieval Philosophy (level 6)
  • Aristotle's Biology (Level 6)
  • Early Modern Philosophy of Mind (Level 6)
  • Kant and German Idealism
  • Kant and German Idealism (level 5)
  • Modern Philosophy (Level 5, 15 credits)
  • Modern Philosophy (Level 6, 15 credits)
  • The Philosophy of Nietzsche
  • The Philosophy of Nietzsche (level 5)
  • The Philosophy of Spinoza (Level 6, 15 credits)
  • The Philosophy of Spinoza (level 5)
  • The Power of Art: Historical Themes (Level 6, 15 credits)
OPTION MODULES: VALUE
  • Art and Value (Level 5, 15 credits)
  • Art and Value (Level 6, 15 credits)
  • Ethics (Level 5, 15 credits)
  • Ethics (Level 6, 15 credits)
  • Metaethics: the foundations of morality and ethical thought (Level 6, 15 credits)
  • Metaethics: the foundations of morality and ethical thought (Level 5)
  • Moral Responsibility (15 Credits, Level 6)
  • Moral Responsibility (Level 5)
  • Philosophy and Gender (Level 6, 15 credits)
  • Philosophy and Gender (Level 5, 15 credits)
  • Philosophy, Business and Society (Level 5, 15 credits)
  • Philosophy, Business and Society
  • Political Philosophy (Level 5, 15 credits)
  • Political Philosophy (Level 6, 15 credits)
  • The Biology of Evil (Level 6)
  • The Idea of Freedom
  • The Idea of Freedom (level 5)
DISSERTATION BA PHILOSOPHY
  • Dissertation BA Philosophy
The list of option modules is a representative sample; the option modules available may vary from year to year.

Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

Additional information

FEES
Part-time international students: £10710 pa

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Philosophy (BA): 4-year, part-time

£ 6,935 VAT inc.

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