BA
Philosophy and Psychology BA (Hons)
Gain an understanding of what it is to be human by studying profound questions concerning human psychology and the nature of the human mind.
How to apply Apply via UCAS
Course details
Start date
Degree Type
BA
UCAS Code
CV85
Course length
3 years full-time
Typical offer
AAA
Tuition Fees
- Home (Full-time): £ per year
- Overseas (Full-time): £ per year
Overview
Studying BA Philosophy and Psychology allows you to confront and study profound questions concerning human psychology and the nature of the human mind. There are numerous areas of overlap making these subjects particularly suitable to study alongside each other. Within philosophy you will confront questions such as ‘What does a flourishing human life look like?’ Embarking on this subject will equip you with the skills needed to think carefully and deeply about what matters in a good life, and how individual happiness is related to friendships, relationships, family, society, the political system and culture. The psychology element is designed to give you an understanding of the mind and behaviour in humans and non-human animals. You will get the chance to study people in terms of their internal mental processes, the biological mechanisms that underlie their behaviour, and the social and developmental context in which they act. You can also apply to add a placement year or a year abroad to your degree, increasing the course from three years to four.
Course details
Start date
Degree Type
BA
UCAS Code
CV85
Course length
3 years full-time
Typical offer
AAA
Tuition Fees
- Home (Full-time): £ per year
- Overseas (Full-time): £ per year
What you'll study
Philosophy is a new subject for many students, so in your first year you will follow a range of introductory courses, introducing the fundamental philosophical subject areas. You will also take a comparable number of introductory modules in psychology. In your second year, you will further increase your knowledge by taking four compulsory modules in philosophy and psychology. The third year includes a dissertation that allows a deep, independently driven, exploration of a topic of your choice.
Core modules
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Introduction to Psychological Research
introduces key research methods and statistical techniques used in psychology.
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The Philosophical Traditions
introduces a range of philosophical approaches which provides grounding for the key explanatory and interpretative skills expected at later stages of the degree. The module also introduces the practice of researching and writing philosophy by examining ways in which philosophers shape knowledge in particular areas.
Optional modules
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Philosophy (two modules)
In recent years optional modules have included: Ethics and ValuesKnowledge and RealityReading PhilosophyScience, Medicine and SocietyBeing Human: An Introduction to Post-Kantian Philosophy
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Psychology (one module)
In recent years optional modules have included: Introduction to Psychology 1: Cognitive and Biological PsychologyIntroduction to Psychology 2: Developmental and Social Psychology
Core modules
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Advanced Psychological Research
develops your experimental design and statistics knowledge. In this module you will also discuss psychological research in a tutorial context and develop skills in studying classic papers in psychology.
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Cognitive and Biological Psychology
develops an understanding of theoretical, methodological and empirical approaches in cognitive and biological psychology, with particular emphasis on visual neuroscience and visual cognition.
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Philosophy of Mind
provides a grounding in modern philosophical psychology and an understanding of those key concepts required for a proper characterisation of the mind, from both a first-person and a third-person perspective.
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Social and Developmental Psychology
provides a broad knowledge and understanding of research and theory in some of the key areas of developmental psychology and examines the contribution that social psychology has made to an understanding of the relations between people and social structures involving people.
Optional modules
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Philosophy (two modules)
The selection of optional modules offered by each department changes from time to time. This is an indicative list, to give you an overview of the different kinds of modules that we have offered in recent years. Examples of optional modules typically available at Level 2 include: Language, Logic & RealityHistory of Science and MedicinePolitical and Social PhilosophyPhilosophy of ReligionPhilosophy of ScienceThe Philosophy of Economics and Politics: Theory, Methods and ValuesFeminist PhilosophyEpistemologyWorld Philosophies A selection of our modules are available as elective modules taught within a single term.
Core modules
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Differential and Clinical Psychology
will develop your knowledge of theory and research in differential psychology, the study of psychological differences and similarities between people and understanding of theory and research in atypical and clinical psychology.
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Philosophy Short Dissertation
In the short dissertation you will conduct an extensive study or survey of a philosophical problem or author, under the guidance of a supervisor, and produce a written account of your findings.
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Psychology Project
. Drawing on skills developed through the course you will work as a pair or a small group to carry out an investigation in psychology. You will formulate a research question, investigate and analyse the issue and interpret the results before writing up an individual 4,500-word project report.
Optional modules
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Philosophy (two modules)
The selection of optional modules available on our programme changes from time to time. This is an indicative list, to give you an overview of the different kinds of modules that we have offered in recent years. Examples of optional modules typically available at Level 3 include: Kant's Critical Philosophy and Other RevolutionsPhilosophical Issues in Contemporary ScienceAestheticsTwentieth-Century European PhilosophyIssues in Contemporary EthicsBiomedical Ethics Past and PresentMetaphysicsHistory and Philosophy of PsychiatryPhilosophy, Climate Change and the Environment
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Psychology (one module)
The selection of optional modules available on our programme changes from time to time. This is an indicative list, to give you an overview of the different kinds of modules that we have offered in recent years. Examples of optional modules typically available at Level 3 include: Perception from the lab to the real worldLearning and memory: theories, neural bases and clinical applicationsFace and Body PerceptionBehaviour Change: Foundations, Advances and ApplicationsDevelopmental NeurodiversityDevelopmental CognitionForensic PsychologyCurrent Issues in Mental Health
Learning
You will learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, informal but scheduled one-on-one support, and self-directed learning, such as research, reading and writing. You will receive a genuinely research-led education. As well as learning the core principles of philosophy and psychology, you will be actively encouraged to engage in research through practicals and seminars, for instance. You will also have access to our world-leading experimental facilities, including motion capture, eye tracking and biophysical recording laboratories. We offer a distinctive curriculum, incorporating considerable levels of variety and choice. Whatever you choose, you will be taught by internationally renowned experts in the field.Assessment
Modules are assessed by essays, some by an end-of-year examination and some by a combination of the two. Our curriculum places a strong emphasis on self-directed learning, such as research, reading and writing. In your final year, you will submit a dissertation that details your own original work. This is a great way to explore a topic that you are passionate about, and to showcase the many skills that you have gained during your Philosophy and Psychology degree.Entry requirements
Fees & Funding
Choose which fees you want to see:
Home / Island students
£ per year
International / EU Students
£ per year
Home / Island students
Part Time - £ per year
International / EU Students
Part Time - £ per year
The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).
Find out moreDepartment Information
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Philosophy is an ancient and diverse discipline that is fundamental to our understanding of what it is to be human. Amongst the most prestigious departments in the UK, at Durham we pride ourselves on our excellence in teaching and research and we are committed to the pursuit of philosophical knowledge and understanding. Our distinctive, research-led approach to learning means that our undergraduate courses are constantly shaped in line with research and to reflect contemporary study in the area. We offer a range of single and joint honours degrees with flexible pathways to suit your interests and career aspirations. As well as covering more traditional areas of philosophy, such as ethics and values, philosophical traditions and moral theory, our curriculum also highlights the relevance of philosophy to current issues in the world. This includes modules relating to the ethics of science and medicine. You can further develop your skills and experience with the opportunity to spend a year studying overseas or on a work placement. For more information see our department pages.
Read moreFacilities
The Department of Philosophy is located at Old Elvet in the picturesque city of Durham. We occupy a listed building in this ancient part of the city, near the medieval Elvet Bridge, and within easy walking distance of the Students’ Union, the colleges and Durham’s historic centre with its Castle and Cathedral.
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Events
Undergraduate students are invited to attend the Department’s extensive programme of research-related activities, including weekly lectures and seminars, many of which are given by renowned UK and overseas philosophers. Recent visitors have included Amie Thomasson, Noam Chomsky and Peter Singer.
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Find out more -
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Psychology is concerned with understanding the brain, the mind and behaviour. Learning from academics with real enthusiasm for their subject, you will explore topics such as social behaviour, childhood development and cognitive neuroscience. Our psychology degrees offer research-led education, offering you the opportunity to work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will have access to the department’s cutting-edge facilities which include motion capture, neuroimaging, eye tracking and biophysical recording laboratories. Our innovative approach to learning includes a combination of lectures, practical teaching sessions, and small-group tutorials, in addition to optional modules focused on careers and placements in psychology. In the final year of our program/degree, you complete a research project under the supervision of an academic. Furthermore, you can gain additional research experience with our popular Research Assistant Scheme. You can also apply for a placement year or year abroad. Students who graduate with a 2.1 or higher are accredited by the BPS as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership – the first step towards a career as a psychologist. Please see the following video that looks closer at studying psychology at Durham: Look Closer at our Department of Psychology For more information see our department pages.
Read moreFacilities
You will be ideally located in a dedicated psychology learning space, adjacent to many university departments and services on the main University campus, and within walking distance of Durham’s historic centre.
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World-leading clinical and experimental facilities
Guided by experts in the field, you will have access to a range of world-leading clinical and experimental facilities. This hands-on experience brings theory to life and helps you gain a deeper understanding of the mind and behaviour. Facilities in the Department of Psychology include body scanners with integrated eye tracking, molecular psychology suites, neuroimaging, VR suites with motion capture and mock environments for ecologically valid research.
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Organisation collaborations
We have collaborations with many external companies and groups - everything from bonobo sanctuaries, to the North East Autism Society, Vicon Movement Systems, and NHS
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Peer Assisted Scheme (PASS)
PASS is an entirely voluntary, student-driven peer support programme where students get together in an active, positive, friendly, and collaborative environment to supplement learning delivered by lecturers.
Find out more -
Career Opportunities
Of those UK/EU students who graduated in 2022/23:
84%
80%
£25,000
HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk
Employability
More Information
In studying philosophy at Durham, you will learn as much about how to think about difficult questions, as you will learn about the answers that can be given to them. You will be equipped for life with an ability to detect bad argument, whether in politics, in the media, or in discussion with the people you live and work with, and an ability to produce better arguments of your own.
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