Philosophy Study Guide 2025/26
What you can study
Philosophy at Bristol is largely based within the 'analytic' tradition. In joining our programme, you will be part of a heritage of philosophy in South-West England that includes John Locke and Thomas Hobbes.
You will find units on:
- metaphysics and epistemology
- ethics and political philosophy
- philosophy of the mind and formal and informal logic
- philosophy of science and medicine
Pre-requisites
At UK universities, students specialise from their first year and rarely take units outside their degree subject. This means that:
- Year 1 units are suitable for all students.
- Year 2 units require some university study in the discipline.
- Year 3 units require a strong background in the discipline.
- Masters-level units require three years of study in the discipline.
Subject pathway students
If you have been nominated to Bristol on the Study Abroad (Philosophy pathway), you must take the majority of your credits from this guide.
Year 1
Pre-requisites: suitable for all students
Teaching Block 1
- Introduction to Philosophy A - PHIL10005
- Logic and Critical Reasoning - PHIL10032. Also runs in Teaching Block 2.
Teaching Block 2
- Introduction to Philosophy B - PHIL10006
- Logic and Critical Reasoning - PHIL10032. Also runs in Teaching Block 1.
Year 2
Pre-requisites: some university study in the discipline.
The Department has indicated which units cannot be taken together as they are planned to be scheduled at the same time. Timetable clashes may also occur where students mix Philosophy units with those of other year levels.
Teaching Block 1
The following unit can often be taken with all other Year 2 Philosophy units as it's not planned to run at the same time on the timetable.
Group A:
You can only select one unit from each of the following groups as they are scheduled to run simultaneously.
Group B:
- Capital and Spirit - PHIL20066
- Classical Chinese Philosophy - PHIL20061
- Philosophy of Language - PHIL20017
Group C:
Teaching Block 2
You can only select one unit from each of the following groups as they are scheduled to run simultaneously.
Group D:
Group E:
Group F:
Year 3
Pre-requisites: strong background of study in the discipline.
The Department has indicated which units cannot be taken together as they are planned to be scheduled at the same time. Timetable clashes may also occur where students mix Philosophy units with those of other year levels.
Teaching Block 1
You can only select one unit from each of the following groups as they are scheduled to run simultaneously.
Group A:
- Philosophical Issues of Physical Sciences - PHIL30052
- Philosophy of Psychology - PHIL30077
- The Philosophy and History of Medicine - PHIL30082
- Virtue and Well-Being - PHIL30126
Group B:
- Emotions - PHIL30147
- Ethics and Literature - PHIL30094
- Philosophy of Biology - PHIL30063
- Philosophy of Technology - PHIL30140
Group C:
- Ethics of Migration and Citizenship - PHIL30118
- Philosophy and the Environment - PHIL30112
- Philosophy of Technology - PHIL30140
Teaching Block 2
You can only select one unit from each of the following groups as they are scheduled to run simultaneously.
Group D:
Group E:
- Death, dying and disease - PHIL30115
- Philosophy of Mathematics - PHIL30090
- The Frankfurt School - PHIL30141
MA-level units
Pre-requisites: this level is suitable for those currently completing a MA in Philosophy.
Teaching Block 1
- Ethics of Migration and Citizenship - PHILM0053
- Philosophical Logic Project - PHILM0034 (this unit runs in TB1 and TB2)
- Philosophy and History of Medicine - PHILM0022
- Philosophy of Biology - PHILM0006
- Philosophy of Physics - PHILM0005
- Philosophy of Psychology - PHILM0020
- Probability and Rationality - PHILM0049
Teaching Block 2
- Advanced Philosophy of Physics - PHILM0029 - this unit involves a pre-requisite: students need to have completed the unit PHIL30052 Philosophical Ideas of Physical Sciences or an equivalent class.
- Evolution and Human Society - PHILM0050
- Philosophical Logic Project - PHILM0034 (this unit runs in TB1 and TB2)
- Philosophy of Science - PHILM0033
- Political Economy - PHILM0051
- The Frankfurt School - PHILM0048
- Themes in Ethics - PHILM0032
Application queries
Contact the Centre for Study Abroad inbound team if you have any queries about the application process for the study abroad programmes:
Phone: +44 117 39 40207
Email: cfsa-inbound@bristol.ac.uk
What you can study at Bristol
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Study Guides
Study Guides are updated every April for the following academic year.