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Politics and Philosophy

  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 29 September 2025
  • Undergraduate
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Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

On our BA Politics and Philosophy joint honours degree you will meet the great minds of politics and philosophy on equal terms, not just by learning what they think, but by engaging with them critically.

Studying politics allows you to understand how societies function, how political systems operate, and how policies are developed and implemented. Philosophy, on the other hand, helps you explore fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Combining the two provides a well-rounded perspective on societal structures and individual thought.

On this BA Politics and Philosophy degree, you will learn how to understand other people’s political and philosophical arguments and examine them for weak spots and errors, whilst developing your own skills in analytical and critical enquiry, debating and self-motivation. These skills are valuable in many professions and in everyday decision-making.

Why study this course?
-You will have the opportunity to undertake a work placement through our integrated Professional Development Module.
-You may have the opportunity to spend a year abroad at one of our many international exchange partners.
-You will have the chance to take part in an International Model NATO Conference in Washington DC. This experience provides you with a unique opportunity to participate in a role-play exercise of decision-making at NATO, working with delegates from universities and institutions across the globe.
-We have an on-campus UN modelling event. This is open to all students in POLSIS and attracts students from all around the world.
-We are the number one UK university targeted by the country’s leading graduate employers (2024 High Fliers report).

Modules

For a full list and detailed description of modules on offer, please visit the course page on our website.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 29 September 2025

Apply by
29 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
VL52
Institution code:
B32
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Birmingham has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
29 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
VL52
Institution code:
B32
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff Not accepted

A level AAB

3 A Levels required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma and Subsidiary Diploma are all considered on a case by case basis.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 32 points

The entry requirements are 6,6,5 at Higher Level with a minimum of 32 points overall.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Accepted in place of a non-required A level with the equivalent grade.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

Accepted in place of A levels with the following grade equivalencies: D2 = A*; D3 = A; M2 = B. Combinations of A levels and Principle subjects are accepted. NB required subjects must be offered (see A level Section)

T Level

All subjects considered; Standard offer: Distinction overall with A in the Core Component.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

The historic entry grades range shown below includes students admitted with alternative offers through our contextual admissions schemes. These are typically 1 or 2 grades below the standard offer. You can find information on these schemes using the link below.
You can check your eligibility to receive an offer for this course using our Offer Calculator using the same link.

Learn more on the University of Birmingham website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

For details of the annual tuition fee for International Students please see the course web page listed in the 'course details' section above.
If you are made an offer to study by the University, the yearly tuition fee will be stated in your offer letter.

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