Philosophy and Politics BA (Hons)

What is special about this course?

The BA (Hons) Philosophy and Politics covers a range of approaches. Politics investigates how political structures and ideologies shape our lives and are organised differently around the world. Philosophy is an in-depth study of Western intellectual tradition.

Philosophy seeks to understand, and particularly to question, ideas concerning the nature of reality, value and experience that play a pervasive role in understanding the world and ourselves. The philosophy discipline focuses on problematic concepts, such as existence, reason and truth, which occur in every sphere of human enquiry, but more specifically on problematic concepts that belong to particular areas of thought and practice, such as politics, economics, religion, science and ethics.

Please see our FAQ sheet for further information on this course.

Special features

• The joint honours degree in two complementary subjects gives you greater flexibility in employment, advanced study and research opportunities
• The degree can be studied full time or part time to suit your personal circumstances
• You can study individual modules for personal or professional development

Entry requirements

• 3 Scottish Highers at grade BBC or above OR
• 2 A levels at grade BC or above
• At least two of these must be from the list of relevant subjects
• Other humanities or Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP) will also be considered
• Applicants with other relevant qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis
• This is a Category 2 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required for specific optional modules/unit(s), where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in optional module/unit(s), but an alternative pathway exists to achieve target qualification. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage

Advanced entry to year two:

• HNC Social Science (12 SQA credits) with 3 additional SQA credits at level 7 which is equivalent to 120 degree credit points, and at least grade C in the Graded Unit will be considered for direct entry to year two

Access routes

SWAP Access courses
If you are eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP), please visit our SWAP access list for further information on grade profiles and available subjects.

Year 1 - CertHE

You will study the following modules.

Philosophy

• Thinking and writing for study, work and life (S1)
• Problems in philosophy (S2)

Politics

Two from the list below:

• Ideas and ideologies in politics (S1)
• The evolving politics of the British Isles (S2)
• Conflict and the balance of power (S2)

Plus, two additional Humanities modules that are available as scheme options.

Year 2 - DipHE

You will study the following modules.

Philosophy

Two from the list below:

• Knowledge: a philosophical analysis (S1)
• Moral philosophy (S2)
• Anthropology of Religion (S2)

Politics

• History of political ideas (S1)
• Scottish politics before and after the independence referendum (S1)

Plus, two additional Humanities modules that are available as scheme options. 

Year 3 - BA

You will study the following modules.

Philosophy

• Philosophy of religion (S1)
• Philosophy of science (S2)
• Continental philosophy (S2)

Politics

Three from the list below:

• Challenging liberal democracy: political ideas in a changing world (S1)
• Advanced social research methods (core module) (S2)
• European politics (S2)
• Devolution, federalism and territorial politics (S2)
• Hot wars and cold wars: Britain and the military instrument, 1914-1989 (S2)
• Wars in the Promised Land (S2)

Year 4 - BA (Hons)

You will complete a dissertation in Philosophy or Politics. You will also study one option module from your chosen dissertation subject, plus three option modules from the other subject.

Philosophy

Modules may include:

• Scottish tradition in philosophy (S1)
• Neurons, brains, and minds: a philosophical investigation (S2)
• Existential philosophy and literature (S2)

Politics

Modules may include:

• Geopolitics: territory, security, strategy (S1)
• Political theory (S2)
• Terrorism and unconventional warfare (S2)

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

• EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
• EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
• EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Rest of the UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland) or assessed as rest of the UK for fee status the following fees apply:

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK studying online from their home country, or living in the UK but assessed as international for fee status, the following fees apply:

This includes EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled status in the UK and EEA and Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.