Philosophy and History with Year Abroad

UCAS code: VV52

Here's what University of Southampton says about its Philosophy and History with Year Abroad course.

About this course A Philosophy and History degree at Southampton provides you with an opportunity to explore the events and ideas which have shaped, and continue to shape, the world around us. You’ll explore some of the biggest questions of philosophy, and combine study of the foundations of intellectual thought with the examination of pivotal historical events and ideas. You'll be able to develop your own interpretations of disputed ideas and narratives across a wide range of periods, from the Ancient Greeks to New World slavery, the Space Age, and Climate Change. There is an exceptional diversity of options in both history and philosophy, including close explorations of Western and non-Western traditions, and analysis of modern issues such as climate change, artificial intelligence, race, and gender.

A degree in Philosophy cultivates a deep understanding of human existence, thought, morality, and the nature of reality. Graduates are equipped with impeccable analytical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills – valuable assets in virtually any profession. This is reflected in our Graduate Outcomes where 95% of our Philosophy graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation" (Graduate Outcomes, 2022/2023, published 2025)

Key features of the course

• Customize your degree, with a wide range of optional modules, within History and Philosophy and across other disciplines.

• Benefit from small group sizes and personalized attention from lecturers and tutors, with a chance to explore your ideas in depth.

• Explore areas of history and philosophy which are rarely taught in UK universities, such as South-East Asian history and philosophy.

• Career skills are embedded at every stage of our courses

• Access to the Southampton Ethics centre, nurturing inter-disciplinary research and outreach, and the Hartley Library, home to the University Archives & Special Collections.

• Study and research through cutting-edge technology at the Digital Humanities facilities, such as virtual reality, 3D scanners and printers, and a 360 degree fully immersive audio-visual centre.

• Spend a year abroad in one of our partner institutions.

Student Support Our courses are taught by philosophy experts with an exceptional breadth of interests. We offer high number of contact hours on a wide range of programmes, with a focus on small-group teaching and one-on-one tuition.Beyond academics, you’ll have access to wellbeing resources, peer mentoring, and careers advice, all in a friendly, welcoming community.

Further information The BA Philosophy and History is a four-year, full-time course at our Avenue Campus. For details, visit our course page.

The programme is designed to ensure that your learning is progressive. You will move from developing foundational skills in the first year, to pursuing your own self-directed research project in the final year.

Year 1: Develop foundational skills in critical thinking and historical analysis, through modules such as: Reason and Argument and History Matters. Year 2: Deepen your understanding of Philosophy, History, and the links between them, with core modules in the history of philosophy and public history. Year 3: Year Abroad Year 4: Personalise your degree through a self-directed dissertation project on a topic of your choice, and will choose from a range of specialist modules, each led by active researchers in the field.

You will also have the option of further tailoring your degree by choosing optional modules outside of Philosophy and History, with subjects including digital humanities and modern languages.

For a full list of modules available please visit the course page.

On this course you will learn through a range of activities that may include lectures, classes and tutorials, coursework, individual and group projects, and independent learning (studying on your own).

You will be able to demonstrate what you have learnt through a variety of assessment methods, such as debates, essays, oral presentations, dissertations, individual and group projects, written exams.

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor who will offer support and advice throughout your studies. You will also receive feedback throughout your course, enabling you to identify areas for improvement before your work is formally assessed.