BA Art and Philosophy
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UCAS code
VW51 -
Typical offer
BBB -
Year of entry
2023/24 -
Course duration
Full Time: 4 Years
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Year of entry
2023/24 -
Course duration
Full Time: 4 Years
Develop your independent practice, experience life in another country, and understand the theories and ideas behind contemporary art on our BA Art and Philosophy.
Studying philosophy alongside art allows you to consider the medium from a range of perspectives.
You will join a lively community at Reading School of Art and explore a vast range of media, experiment with emerging art forms, and develop as an artist. The studios are a busy place with events, screenings, performances and exhibitions happening regularly. You will receive a dedicated space, accessible 24 hours a day and seven days a week, and a studio tutor to help develop your individual and professional practice.
Trips to museums and art galleries help prompt thoughts on how art is displayed and received. You will gain professional experience by taking part in your own exhibitions, public art commissions and other events. Your teaching staff are all artists, curators and researchers of international standing and will encourage regular exhibitions and open debate.
Studying philosophy at the University of Reading will equip you with the ability to think logically, to evaluate arguments critically, and to challenge your own ideas and those of other people. We will give you an understanding of the central philosophical principles, concepts, problems, texts and figures. You will be taught by leading experts whose research strengths lie especially in moral philosophy and the philosophy of the mind and language. You will also have the chance to study non-Western philosophies, in particular Indian philosophy.
Your first year will introduce you to the general skills required for all philosophy. In following years you will explore a wide range of subjects and explore the overlap between art and philosophy.
Placements and collaborations are actively encouraged and there is also the option to experience life in another country by studying abroad. Throughout your degree you will receive advice and guidance on your career development.
Placement
A great deal of importance is placed on real-world art experiences in work placements. Past students have enjoyed internships at Studio Voltaire and the Frieze Art Fair. Others have performed at the ICA, taken part in an Arts Council–supported film project at the Museum of English Rural Life and participated in an international exhibition at the Seoul Institute of Arts in South Korea.
There are also several opportunities – across all our undergraduate courses - for you to study abroad at an international university. Institutions include the Emily Carr University of Art & Design in Vancouver, Canada; Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA; Monash University, Australia; and National Taiwan University of the Arts in Tapei, Taiwan; as well as Art Universities in Dijon, France; Zurich, Switzerland; Budapest, Hungary; and Tampere, Finland.
For more information, please visit the Reading School of Art website.
Overview
Develop your independent practice, experience life in another country, and understand the theories and ideas behind contemporary art on our BA Art and Philosophy.
Studying philosophy alongside art allows you to consider the medium from a range of perspectives.
You will join a lively community at Reading School of Art and explore a vast range of media, experiment with emerging art forms, and develop as an artist. The studios are a busy place with events, screenings, performances and exhibitions happening regularly. You will receive a dedicated space, accessible 24 hours a day and seven days a week, and a studio tutor to help develop your individual and professional practice.
Trips to museums and art galleries help prompt thoughts on how art is displayed and received. You will gain professional experience by taking part in your own exhibitions, public art commissions and other events. Your teaching staff are all artists, curators and researchers of international standing and will encourage regular exhibitions and open debate.
Studying philosophy at the University of Reading will equip you with the ability to think logically, to evaluate arguments critically, and to challenge your own ideas and those of other people. We will give you an understanding of the central philosophical principles, concepts, problems, texts and figures. You will be taught by leading experts whose research strengths lie especially in moral philosophy and the philosophy of the mind and language. You will also have the chance to study non-Western philosophies, in particular Indian philosophy.
Your first year will introduce you to the general skills required for all philosophy. In following years you will explore a wide range of subjects and explore the overlap between art and philosophy.
Placements and collaborations are actively encouraged and there is also the option to experience life in another country by studying abroad. Throughout your degree you will receive advice and guidance on your career development.
Placement
A great deal of importance is placed on real-world art experiences in work placements. Past students have enjoyed internships at Studio Voltaire and the Frieze Art Fair. Others have performed at the ICA, taken part in an Arts Council–supported film project at the Museum of English Rural Life and participated in an international exhibition at the Seoul Institute of Arts in South Korea.
There are also several opportunities – across all our undergraduate courses - for you to study abroad at an international university. Institutions include the Emily Carr University of Art & Design in Vancouver, Canada; Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA; Monash University, Australia; and National Taiwan University of the Arts in Tapei, Taiwan; as well as Art Universities in Dijon, France; Zurich, Switzerland; Budapest, Hungary; and Tampere, Finland.
For more information, please visit the Reading School of Art website.
Entry requirements A Level BBB
Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.
Typical offer
BBB
All suitable applicants will be interviewed and will need to provide a portfolio of their work.
International Baccalaureate
30 points overall
Extended Project Qualification
In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.
BTEC Extended Diploma
DDM
UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma
Merit
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0, with no component below 6.0
For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.
Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students
For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.
Pre-sessional English language programme
If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.
Structure
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
FA1ART | Art Studio | MISS Wendy McLean |
PP1RA | Reason and Argument | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
FA1DS | Drawing skills | DR Florian Roithmayr |
FA1ED | Expanded Drawing | PROF John Russell |
FA1MM | Modernisms & Mythologies | DR Jenny Chamarette |
FA1PF | Postmodernisms & Other Fictions | DR Galia Kollectiv |
PP1EL | Elementary Logic | DR Severin Schroeder |
PP1GJ | Global Justice | DR Shalini Sinha |
PP1ML | The Meaning of Life | DR George Mason |
PP1MM | Mental Machines | DR Nat Hansen |
PP1RG | The Right and the Good | PROF Philip Stratton-Lake |
PP1RP | Radical Philosophy | PROF Maximilian De Gaynesford |
PP1WRI | Writing the Philosophical Essay | DR Luke Elson |
AP1SB1 | Introduction to Management | PROF Julian Park |
CL1SO | Ancient Song | PROF Ian Rutherford |
CL1TR | Texts, Readers, and Writers | PROF Eleanor Dickey |
EC110 | The Economics of Climate Change | DR Stefania Lovo |
FT1ATF | Approaches to Film | DR Adam O'Brien |
FT1ATP | Analysing Theatre and Performance | DR Matt McFrederick |
FT1ATT | Approaches to Television | DR Faye Woods |
FT1CSS | Comedy on Stage and Screen | DR Simone Knox |
IL1GICC | Intercultural Competence and Communication | MS Joan McCormack |
LS1ELS | English Language and Society | DR Christiana Themistocleous |
LS1GL | Globalization and Language | DR Tony Capstick |
ML1IL | Introduction to Linguistics | MR Federico Faloppa |
MM1F10 | Student Enterprise | DR Lebene Soga |
PO1IPI | Introduction to Political Ideas | DR Andrew Reid |
PY1IPY | Introduction to Psychology | DR Katie Barfoot |
TY1HGC | History of Graphic Communication | DR Rob Banham |
TY1WTF | What the font? Making and using typefaces | DR Rob Banham |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
FA2IS2 | Part 2I Studio | MR Angus Wyatt |
FA2S2 | Part 2 Studio including Career Management Skills | PROF Rachel Garfield |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
FA2IMW | Visual Thinking and Material Writing | PROF Alun Rowlands |
FA2IPA | Philosophies and Theories of Art | DR James Hellings |
FA2IS | International Study | PROF Alun Rowlands |
FA2IS3 | International Study 2 | PROF Alun Rowlands |
FA2ISP | Independent study with Work Placement | DR Kate Allen |
FA2IWC3 | What is the Contemporary? 3 | MISS Julia Crabtree |
FA2IWC4 | What is the Contemporary? 4 | MISS Julia Crabtree |
FA2MW | Visual Thinking and Material Writing | PROF Alun Rowlands |
FA2PA | Philosophies and Theories of Art | DR James Hellings |
FA2SSA | Study Abroad | MISS Julia Crabtree |
FA2WC1 | What is the Contemporary? 1 | PROF John Russell |
FA2WC2 | What is the Contemporary? 2 | PROF John Russell |
PP2EA1 | Ethical Argument 1: Philosophy and How to Live | DR Luke Elson |
PP2EA2 | Ethical Argument 2: Philosophy and How to Live | DR Luke Elson |
PP2GP1 | Global Philosophy 1 | DR Shalini Sinha |
PP2GP2 | Global Philosophy 2 | DR Shalini Sinha |
PP2HKW1 | Hume, Kant, and Wittgenstein 1 | DR Severin Schroeder |
PP2HKW2 | Hume, Kant, and Wittgenstein 2 | DR Severin Schroeder |
PP2IDR1 | Ignorance, Doubt, and Relativism 1 | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PP2IDR2 | Ignorance, Doubt, and Relativism 2 | MR Petter Sandstad |
PP2MM1 | Meaning and the Mind 1 | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PP2MM2 | Meaning and the Mind 2 | MR Petter Sandstad |
PP2OID1 | Oppression, Inequality, and the Enemies of Democracy 1 | DR Charlotte Newey |
PP2OID2 | Oppression, Inequality, and the Enemies of Democracy 2 | DR Charlotte Newey |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
FA3HS2 | Studio (joint honours) | PROF Susanne Clausen |
PP3DIS | Dissertation in Philosophy | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PP3AEST | Aesthetics | DR Severin Schroeder |
PP3BESR | Business Ethics and Social Responsibility | DR Charlotte Newey |
PP3CP | Chinese Philosophy | PROF John Preston |
PP3FAI | Fairness | DR Charlotte Newey |
PP3HGML | Happy, Good and Meaningful Lives | PROF Philip Stratton-Lake |
PP3LA | Philosophy of Law | DR George Mason |
PP3LANG | Philosophy of Language: Animals, Babies, Colours, and Language Death | DR Nat Hansen |
PP3MEDI | Christian, Islamic and Jewish Mediaeval Philosophy | DR Luke Elson |
PP3MOA | The Morality of Abortion | PROF Philip Stratton-Lake |
PP3REL | Philosophy of Religion | DR George Mason |
PP3RVK | Reason, Value & Knowledge | PROF Philip Stratton-Lake |
PP3SCF | The Scandal of Film | PROF Maximilian De Gaynesford |
PP3SPA | Speech Attacks: bullshit, lies, propaganda | DR Nat Hansen |
PP3SSG | Society and State in Ancient Greece | DR George Mason |
PP3WMA | Wittgenstein’s Philosophy of Mind and Action | DR Severin Schroeder |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Core modules include:
- Art studio
- Philosophy dissertation
Fees
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250
New international students: £20,300
UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes
UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.
EU student fees
With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.
Additional costs
Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
Placement year fees
If you spend a full year on placement, you will only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee for that year. For more information, please see our fees and funding pages or contact placements@reading.ac.uk.
Careers
As well as the practical experience gained on this degree, our students also graduate with a range of transferable skills, such as self-motivation, time management, and strategic thinking. They also develop greater self-confidence and are better able to express themselves.
97% of leavers are in work and/or study 15 months after the end of their course (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2018/19; First Degree responders from Art). Many of our graduates develop successful careers as artists, writers and curators. These include a number of famous alumni, such as Turner Prize-nominated artists, and PhD students who are award-winning artists and curators at influential museums. Other graduates have found employment in galleries, education, art therapy, and film and video production. Recent employers include Tate, Whitechapel Gallery, Christies, Microsoft, the BBC, Victoria & Albert Museum, and Manolo Blahnik.
Studying philosophy enables you to develop a range of transferable skills in clear thinking, logical analysis, and the critical assessment of argument. Such skills are greatly valued in a variety of professional careers such as law, politics, management and marketing.