BA Ethics, Value and Philosophy

Examine some of our most fundamental ideas about truth, reality, right and wrong and challenge society's views about them with our BA Ethics, Value and Philosophy.

Studying ethics, value and 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 are one of the only universities to offer BA Ethics, Value and Philosophy. You will learn about the central philosophical principles, concepts, problems, texts and figures, with an emphasis on moral philosophy and the theory of value. You will be taught by leading experts and authorities whose research strengths lie in moral philosophy and the philosophy of the mind and language. You will also have the chance to study non-Western philosophies, especially Indian philosophy.

This degree offers you the chance to study a wide variety of topics, from a number of different philosophical traditions. You'll study three compulsory modules in your first year:

Reason and Argument
Great Works in Philosophy
The Meaning of Life.

These modules give you an introduction to moral philosophy and the skills required for all philosophy. You can select three further modules of your choice, with some available from outside philosophy.

In years two and three you will have the opportunity to explore your interests in more depth, with topics such as environmental and business ethics, metaphysics, and philosophy of religion.

Additionally, in your second or final year you can explore the subjects of Ethics, Value and Philosophy from another cultural perspective at one of our partner universities in Europe, the USA, Canada, Japan or Australia. You will be taught in small, interactive seminar groups, encouraging discussion and debate with teaching staff and fellow students.

Placement

We encourage you to take placements as they provide you with a chance to put your newly acquired knowledge and skills into practice as well as allowing you to gain valuable real-world experience.

You can undertake a placement at any point in your degree and work in a company or charity relevant to your final year studies. For example, a previous student worked at a zoo to learn more about the ethical treatment of animals.

Other students have chosen to study abroad for one term in their second or final year. Partner institutions include universities in Europe, the USA, Canada, Japan or Australia.

For more information, please visit the Philosophy website.

Overview

Examine some of our most fundamental ideas about truth, reality, right and wrong and challenge society's views about them with our BA Ethics, Value and Philosophy.

This degree offers you the chance to study a wide variety of topics, from a number of different philosophical traditions. You'll study three compulsory modules in your first year:

Reason and Argument
Great Works in Philosophy
The Meaning of Life.

In years two and three you will have the opportunity to explore your interests in more depth, with topics such as environmental and business ethics, metaphysics, and philosophy of religion.

Placement

We encourage you to take placements as they provide you with a chance to put your newly acquired knowledge and skills into practice as well as allowing you to gain valuable real-world experience.

Other students have chosen to study abroad for one term in their second or final year. Partner institutions include universities in Europe, the USA, Canada, Japan or Australia.

For more information, please visit the Philosophy 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.

Our typical offers are expressed in terms of A level, BTEC and International Baccalaureate requirements. However, we also accept many other qualifications.

Typical offer

BBB

International Baccalaureate

30 points overall

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM

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.

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.

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.

Learn more about our International Foundation programme

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.

Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Compulsory modules

Reason and Argument

Explore arguments in different contexts such as newspaper opinions, social media spats and philosophical treaties. You’ll develop critical thinking and logic to evaluate claims and arguments.

Great Works in Philosophy

You’ll delve into the most important philosophical works, considering the significance of each text and analysing the arguments within them to sharpen your critical skills.

The Meaning of Life

Seek answers to the most important philosophical question. You’ll explore different perspectives on the matter to develop and explain your own judgement and defend your position.

Optional modules

Radical Philosophy

Question your assumptions and beliefs by exploring radical philosophical claims. You’ll compare and contrast different ways of doing philosophy, such as phenomenology and deconstruction.

Global Justice

Discover global perspectives on justice and freedom, from the Buddha to Christian female mystics, to acquire new insights and question your own beliefs and ideas.

Philosophical Skills for Life

These are the modules we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they're informed by the latest teaching and research methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Ethical Argument

Develop your knowledge and skills by considering arguments in moral philosophy and contribute to debate by learning how to argue in a charitable but critical way.

Oppression, Inequality, and the Enemies of Democracy

Explore the concerns of society by asking questions within contemporary political philosophy. You’ll enhance your ability to think reflectively and critically about the role of fairness in society.

Optional modules

Meaning and the Mind

Global Philosophies

Aesthetics

Philosophy through the Ages: The Minds that Shaped our World

Ignorance, Doubt, and Relativism

Intermediate Logic

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Dissertation in Philosophy

Engage in original and independent research to produce an extended essay that focuses on a philosophical topic of your choice. You’ll also submit an assessed research proposal and give a presentation.

OR

Independent Learning Module

Choose a philosophical topic that fascinates you to form the basis of an extended essay. This will enhance your independent learning skills, self-awareness and ability to reflect on your progress and strengths.

Optional modules

Free Will and Responsibility

Investigate the concepts of freedom and responsibility using philosophical thinking and by applying approaches from different cultures.

Philosophy of Language: Animals, Babies, Colours and Language Death

Engage with questions concerning meaning, language and communication. To address these, you'll engage with foundational texts in linguistics, psychology and anthropology and research informed by developments in the cognitive sciences.

Early Chinese Philosophy

Current Moral Philosophy

Fairness

Business Ethics and Social Responsibility

Society and State in Ancient Greece

The Scandal of Film

Hume and Wittgenstein

Speech Attacks: Bullshit, Lies, Propaganda

Paradoxes

Metaphysics

God, Time and Freedom

Philosophy of Religion

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250

New international students: £22,350

*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.

Careers

Throughout our degrees students complete career and skills related modules, encouraging them to think about what careers they would like and what skills they will need.

Studying Philosophy will equip you with a range of transferable skills. In particular you'll develop skills in clear thinking, logical analysis and the critical assessment of argument, which are greatly valued in a variety of professional careers such as law, politics, management and marketing.

Recent graduates have found employment in the civil service, journalism, consultancy, finance, local and central government, and recent employers have included the Ministry of Defence, Cambridge University Press, Yellow Media Works, local authorities and other universities.

Around one in four of our students continue their studies, including conversion courses, and teacher training.

BA Ethics, Value and Philosophy

Placement

*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

EU student fees

Additional costs

Financial support for your studies

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