Keele has been one of the most renowned centres for the study of philosophy in England since WWII. Today, Philosophy at Keele is a research-led course with particular strengths in metaphilosophy and metaphysics.
Philosophy at Keele is a broadly based course. As well as being able involved in contemporary discussions about long-standing philosophical problems, you will also study and analyse the great thinkers of past philosophy from across the globe. You will be encourage to examine your assumptions and to strengthen your arguments, as well as investigating the reasoning of those you're arguing against. A philosophy degree teaches you to think clearly, quickly and accurately, opening up the way to a wide range of careers and giving you the resources to work through problems in the modern world.
Extra curricular opportunities
As a Philosophy student you will have the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge ideas from universities all around the world through our regular Royal Institute of Philosophy Lectures, in which leading philosophers are invited to Keele to talk about their latest work. You will also be able to attend our annual Jean-Jacques Rousseau Lecture and various other specialist research events held throughout the year.
Our degree courses are organised into modules. Each module is usually a self-contained unit of study and each is usually assessed separately with the award of credits on the basis of 1 credit = 10 hours of student effort. An outline of the structure of the programme is provided in the tables below.
There are three types of module delivered as part of this programme. They are:
Compulsory modules: a module that you are required to study on this course;
Optional modules: these allow you some limited choice of what to study from a list of modules;
Elective modules: a free choice of modules that count towards the overall credit requirement but not the number of subject-related credits.
A summary of the credit requirements per year is as follows, with a minimum of 90 subject credits (compulsory plus optional) required for each year.
For further information on the content of modules currently offered, including the list of elective modules, please visit: www.keele.ac.uk/recordsandexams/az
The module details given above are indicative and will give you a good idea of the range of subjects that we teach. We regularly review our teaching to ensure that the modules we offer are up-to-date; therefore, the modules available to study are liable to change.
Entry requirements
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate’s application. Read more about our undergraduate entry requirements for United Kingdom, European Union and International students.
A Level requirements
A Level requirement - CCC
GCSE requirements
English at C (or 4)
BTEC
BTEC requirements MMM
International Baccalaureate
26 points
Access to HE Diploma requirements
Obtain Access to Higher Education Diploma with 96 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction.
Not got the grades?
If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, Foundation Year offers an alternative route to study for this degree.
PREPARATION PROGRAMMES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
International students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this course have the opportunity to study an International Foundation Year programme.
These courses are designed to prepare international students to enter into Keele University undergraduate degrees.
Fees and funding
Going to university can be a daunting as well as an exciting experience. It can be difficult to understand the true costs of being a student, as well as the financial support that is available to help you meet those costs.
We can help you to manage your funds, create a budget and ensure that you receive any funding for which you may be eligible. We also offer financial support such as the Keele University Hardship Fund and emergency loans.
96% of Keele graduates were in a job or further study within six months of graduating (DLHE, 2017)
This course provides a superb grounding in understanding the way people think and approach problems, which is why philosophy has a strong record for graduate employment among non-vocational degrees. You will possess highly developed skills in critical thinking and multiple approaches to problem solving, both of which are highly prized by employers. Keele philosophy graduates have gone into a wide range of different careers, including education, the law, finance, government, publishing, the media, the arts, business and information management, as well as going on to further study.
Recent employers
BAE Systems Applied Intelligence
British Army
Lucy Electric
RSPCA
SEL -First Class
Sheffield Probation Office
Regardless of which career you pursue after Keele, employers will want evidence of the range of skills and personal qualities you possess and which are required for the job. Your degree is clearly important in this respect but don’t forget the extra-curricular activities, positions of responsibility, jobs and voluntary work you may have been engaged in while studying at Keele. These activities allow you to demonstrate the skills and personal qualities required by employers and will be vital in your attempts to secure graduate employment.
It is estimated that 60% of jobs are open to graduates of any discipline. This demonstrates the flexibility of many graduate employers when setting out their academic requirements and that students are not necessarily restricted to careers related to their degree.
"The lecturers at Keele are an incredible group of people who all clearly take great delight in both teaching and continuing to research their chosen fields"
"Every lecture was challenging and the range of modules available helped me tailor my studies to my interests. Also the analytical skills I gained can be used in any aspect of your life and chosen career"
