Philosophy study guide 2024/25
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.
- Readings in Value Theory - PHIL10033
Teaching Block 2
- Introduction to Philosophy B - PHIL10006
- Knowledge and Reality - PHIL10034
- 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.
Teaching Block 1
- Realism and Normativity - PHIL20046. Unit can be taken with any other Year 2 unit.
Only one from this list can be taken as they are scheduled to run simultaneously:
- Capital and Spirit - PHIL20066
- Fiction and Fictionalism - PHIL20068
- Philosophy of Language - PHIL20017
Only one from the list can be taken as they are scheduled to run simultaneously:
Teaching Block 2
Only one from the list can be taken as they are scheduled to run simultaneously:
Only one from the list can be taken as they are scheduled to run simultaneously:
- Aesthetics - PHIL20136
- Ancient Philosophy - PHIL20040
- Philosophical Logic - PHIL20060
- Space, Time and Matter - PHIL20053
Only one from the list can be taken as they are scheduled to run simultaneously:
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.
Teaching Block 1
Only one from this list can be taken as they are scheduled to run simultaneously:
- Philosophical Issues of Physical Sciences - PHIL30052
- Philosophy of Psychology - PHIL30077
- The Philosophy and History of Medicine - PHIL30082
- Virtue and Well-Being - PHIL30126
Only one from this list can be taken as they are scheduled to run simultaneously:
- Ethics and Literature - PHIL30094
- Philosophy of Biology - PHIL30063
- Philosophy of Technology - PHIL30140
Only one from this list can be taken as they are scheduled to run simultaneously:
- Philosophy and the Environment - PHIL30112
- Philosophy of Education - PHIL30145
- The Ethics of Migration and Citizenship - PHIL30118
Teaching Block 2
Only one from this list can be taken as they are scheduled to run simultaneously:
Only one from this list can be taken as they are scheduled to run simultaneously:
MA-level units
Pre-requisites: at least three years of study in the discipline
Teaching Block 1
- Philosophy and History of Medicine - PHILM0022
- Philosophy of Biology - PHILM0006
- Philosophy of Philosophy - PHILM0044
- Philosophy of Physics - PHILM0005
- Philosophy of Psychology - PHILM0020
- Philosophy of Science - PHILM0033
- Value Theory - PHILM0026
Teaching Block 2
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