About the Department of Philosophy
The Department of Philosophy aims to bring together stimulating teaching and original research in an informal, friendly setting.
Our undergraduate programme has three stages. The first year involves exposure to many different areas of Philosophy, teaching styles, and assessment methods, including an independent project. The aim of the first year is to equip all students with an equally good understanding of what is involved in reading and writing about Philosophy at University level. The second year mainly consists of substantial, year-long modules called 'pathways' which aim to give you the depth of knowledge in core areas of the subject needed to prepare you for specialist subjects in the third year. During the second year you are also given the opportunity to take some modules which introduce you to specialist areas of the subject or interesting texts. In the third year you will need to apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired so far to develop your own philosophical views in specialist modules taught by leading researchers.
We offer taught and research Masters programmes, which are enjoyable in themselves but also serve to prepare you for advanced research degrees such as the PhD. We have a large, varied, and lively graduate community who play an active part in the University's Humanities Research Centre and regularly run conferences and workshops.
The Department's research strengths fall in three main areas: History of Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind, and Ethics. We have additional strengths in Aesthetics and Metaphysics, and collaborate with many other disciplines across the University for both teaching and research activities. We also collaborate with other Yorkshire universities through the White Rose Centre for the History of Philosophy, the White Rose Aesthetics Forum, and the White Rose Philosophy Postgraduate Forum.
We hope you enjoy exploring our website. If there is anything you would like to know that you cannot find here, you are welcome to ask us directly by emailing the Departmental Office.