Philosophy, BA (Hons)

COURSE OVERVIEW

“Philosophy” means the love of wisdom: it is the search for truth and understanding, whether about ourselves, society, the world or reality itself. It is a wide-ranging academic discipline, incorporating the study of ethics and morality, politics, human nature, knowledge and the universe. The BA Philosophy programme at Swansea introduces you to major philosophical theories and debates across different traditions and cultures. It will equip you with the ability to reflect on questions of fundamental importance (“How should we live our lives?”; “What is a just society like?”; “How can we know what exists?”); to think creatively and logically; and to debate issues in a clear and persuasive manner. An important focus of the Philosophy programme at Swansea is on applying philosophy to practical, contemporary problems. For example, what is the impact of technology on well-being and what it means to be human? How should forms of offensive or hateful speech be regulated? Thus, the study of philosophy is about both understanding the world and working out how to change it for the better.

PHILOSOPHY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Philosophy equips students with key intellectual skills that are much sought-after by many employers. These include critical and creative thinking, logical problem solving, open-mindedness and effective information-analysis. Figures show that there is a growing demand for philosophy graduates from employers.

The most common areas of employment for philosophy graduates in the UK are business, human resources (HR), finance and marketing, public relations (PR) and sales. They are also well-equipped for the civil service and teaching.