Philosophy (BA) (Full-time evening study) - 2013/2014 entry
Come and explore answers to some of the most profound questions it is possible to ask with some of the country's leading philosophers. This prestigious degree provides a thorough grounding in the central aspects of philosophy for students from all educational backgrounds. It fosters independent judgement, original thought and the ability to analyse complex ideas and arguments. It offers a wide range of optional modules, up to two of which can be taken at University College London. You will be welcome to attend the very wide range of philosophy events at Birkbeck, other London colleges, and the Institute of Philosophy.
This course is also available for part-time study.
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Course structure
The early part of the course provides a rigorous grounding in the central areas of the subject: epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, political philosophy, the history of philosophy, and logic. The later part of the course gives you a free hand to choose from a wide variety of options, allowing you to delve deeper into central areas or branch out into new ones. The programme culminates in the writing of an undergraduate dissertation on a topic of your choice, individually supervised by a faculty member with relevant expertise.
Year 1
- Introduction to Epistemology and Metaphysics
- Introduction to Ethics and Political Philosophy
- Introduction to Logic
- Introduction to the History of Philosophy.
Year 2
- Epistemology and Metaphysics
- History of Philosophy
- Ethics or Political Philosophy
- Any two optional modules.
Year 3
- Any six optional modules
- Dissertation.
The list of option modules varies from year to year, but the choices available to you will typically include:
- Aesthetics
- Foundations of Analytic Philosophy
- Kant
- Nietzsche
- Philosophicail Logic
- Philosophy of Language
- Philosophy of Mathematics
- Philosophy of Mind
- Philosophy of Psychology
- Philosophy of Science
- Advanced Topics in Ancient Philosophy
- Advanced Topics in Epistemology
- Advanced Topics in Ethics
- Advanced Topics in Metaphysics
- Advanced Topics in Modern Philosophy
- Advanced Topics in Political Philosophy.
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Study resources
The Department of Philosophy has its own library, the Ruby Meager Library, which is reserved for the use of Birkbeck philosophy students. The main philosophy collection is held in the College library, which has an extensive range of books and connections to the full range of online resources.
Find out more about our philosophy resources.
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Further study opportunities
We offer a range of postgraduate degrees at Birkbeck. You can go on to our MA Philosophy (a taught course), MPhilStud Philosophy or PhD (research only).
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Careers information
Graduates go on to a wide range of careers, including law, management, politics, recruitment and journalism.
See the British Philosophical Association website for more information on careers.
- To speak to an independent careers advisor, booking onto one of our Future Focus — Careers Workshops
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Further details
Birkbeck's Department of Philosophy is a leading centre for philosophical research in the United Kingdom. All of its established members of academic staff are active researchers, and the department’s excellence in both teaching and research is consistently reflected in UK and international surveys. In the most recent assessment of teaching quality, we received full marks, and in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE 2008), we were one of only five departments in the UK all of whose research output was rated of international standard or above. In the most recent (2009) Leiter Report (the leading international comparison of philosophy departments), we came out sixth in the UK overall, and in three areas of the subject (feminist philosophy, the philosophy of action, and the history of analytic philosophy, including Wittgenstein), we were ranked in the top ten departments in the world.
Each May, the department holds a residential study weekend at Cumberland Lodge, at which staff and students present and discuss papers on philosophical topics. In addition, the students run a philosophy society. The society generally holds meetings three or four times a term at which a philosopher from another university presents a paper followed by discussion.
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Apply now
- How to apply
Applications for entry will only be considered through UCAS.
- Online application
Apply via UCAS – see their website for details. - Our Application Workshop will give you an overview of what Birkbeck looks for in an undergraduate degree application and includes practical writing exercises to help you write a more effective personal statement
- How to apply
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Key information set
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Welcome to Birkbeck, London's evening university: Number 1 in London for teaching and student satisfaction (National Student Survey 2012).
Birkbeck specialises in part-time, evening study. The Key Information Set has been developed for full-time, daytime courses. We are providing some additional information about our evening courses to help you make an informed choice.
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