Philosophy Study Guide 2026/27

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 Year 2 Year 3 MA-level

Year 1

Pre-requisites: suitable for all students

Teaching Block 1

Teaching Block 2

Teaching Block 4 (full year)

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 (Collaboration units):

Group C (Specialisation topics):

Teaching Block 2

You can only select one unit from each of the following groups as they are scheduled to run simultaneously.

Group D (Specialisation topics):

Group E: (Specialist Methodologies):

Group F (Applied Philosophy):

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 (Interdisciplinary topics):

Group B (Interdisciplinary topics):

Group C (Civil Engagement):

Teaching Block 2

You can only select one unit from each of the following groups as they are scheduled to run simultaneously.

Group D (Social Philosophy):

Group E (Reflective Philosophy):

MA-level units

Pre-requisites: this level is suitable for those currently completing a MA in Philosophy.

Teaching Block 1

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