2024 entry
BA Philosophy and German (RV25)
Course overview

Typical offer
A-level standard offer: AAB
A-level contextual offer: BBB
See entry requirements for full details and eligibility.
Course duration
4 year(s) full-time
6-7 year(s) part-time
Part-time study with daytime, weekday teaching and a period of residence abroad.
Application method
Full-time: UCAS
Part-time: Contact artf-ugoffice@bristol.ac.uk for more information and to apply.
Fees
£9,250 per year, home students
£23,900 per year, international students
Part-time tuition fees will normally be charged on a pro rata basis
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Location
This degree combines philosophy with the study of German, a widely spoken language around the world and highly sought after for business, research and trade. German will give you direct access to the intellectual history, cultural production and political debates in German-speaking countries. The course provides a valuable skill set, ideally tailored to the increasingly globalised workplace.
For philosophy, you will study units covering an introduction to philosophy, logic, and realism and normativity.
You will follow a structured language course in German, as well as explore the rich culture and history of German-speaking countries and communities, choosing from a range of units in literature, film, history, thought, politics, linguistics and visual culture. You will spend your third year abroad in a German-speaking country, extending your language skills and cultural knowledge. To find out more about studying abroad, visit Centre for Study Abroad.
Both departments encourage strong synergy between research and teaching, which results in a vibrant learning environment as staff respond to new research. This course combination offers an enriching experience with exciting intellectual challenges and a range of options that will allow you to pursue your own interests.
Teaching is delivered through lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, and one-to-one project supervision. Assessments may include presentations, essays, commentaries, exams, collaborative projects, debates, podcasts, video essays, and dissertations.
Our course will ensure you practise a range of skills, which will make you attractive to future employers in the sector of your choice.
German can be studied from beginners' level and post-A level (or equivalent). As a modern languages student, you will have access to our state-of-the-art Multimedia Centre. You can also access extracurricular activities such as talks by visiting speakers, societies, language cafes, student newspapers, and talent shows.
Course structure
In your first year of philosophy, you will gain a grounding in the fundamentals of philosophy through two mandatory introductory units: one exploring issues in epistemology and metaphysics; the other concerning moral and political philosophy. You will also take a unit in critical thinking and logic.
In year two, you complete your foundation in philosophy with a mandatory unit on realism and normativity and conduct more detailed study in topics ranging from ethics to the philosophy of language.
In your final year, you may undertake an independent study unit on almost any topic in philosophy, writing an extended essay in consultation with a supervisor. Final-year taught units relate to the research interests of staff in areas ranging from global justice to philosophy of physics.
For German, you will study language and culture units focusing on topics that range from history and politics to linguistics, literature and cinema.
Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.
Go to programme catalogueEntry requirements
We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.
A-level standard offer
AAB
BTEC
DDD in any Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma
Find out more about our BTEC entry requirementsInternational Baccalaureate Diploma
34 points overall with 17 at Higher Level
International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer
31 points overall with 15 at Higher Level
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerEuropean Baccalaureate
80% overall
Scottish Qualifications Authority
Advanced Higher: AB and Standard Higher: AAABB
Access to HE Diploma
Access to HE Diploma in Humanities, Social Sciences, Law or History (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include 24 credits at Distinction and 21 at Merit or above.
Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.
Welsh Baccalaureate
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Cambridge Pre-U
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.
International qualifications
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Search international qualificationsApplicants must also meet these requirements
GCSE profile requirements
Standard numeracy requirement (4 or C in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent)
Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
- IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in all other skills
- GCSE English Language grade B or 6
- An alternative English Language Profile B qualification
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels
More about UK qualifications.
Selection process
- We only use your information in UCAS, or your application form, to assess your application. There are no other selection criteria or processes.
- Full information about our selection processes for this course:
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement: