Philosophy, BA (Hons)

Philosophy is 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 will introduce you to major philosophical theories and debates across different traditions, cultures and schools of thought.

It will equip you with the ability to reflect on questions of fundamental importance (How should we live our lives? What does a just society look 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 programme is applying philosophy to practical, contemporary problems. For example, what is the impact of technology on wellbeing, and what it means to be human? How should forms of offensive or hateful speech be regulated?

As a result, the study of philosophy is about both understanding the world, and working out how we can change it for the better. Throughout the degree, you will be equipped with creative and critical thinking skills, coupled with the ability to reflect ethically and innovatively. You will learn to connect abstract ideas and ideals with practical problems and questions.

At the heart of the degree is a focus on ensuring that you can identify, assess, develop and communicate arguments and theories. This involves complex conceptual reasoning and information analysis, as well as an appreciation of the views and experiences of people across historical and geographical contexts.