Study information

Programme Specification for the 2025/6 academic year

BA Philosophy and Politics with Employment Experience

1. Programme Details

Programme nameBA Philosophy and Politics with Employment Experience Programme codeUFA4HPSHPS74
Study mode(s)Part Time
Full Time
 Academic year2025/6
Campus(es)Streatham (Exeter)
 NQF Level of the Final Award6 (Honours)

2. Description of the Programme

The Philosophy and Politics programme at Exeter allows you to develop into graduates who are useful, productive and questioning members of society. You will become grounded in the main themes of Philosophy and Politics through a combination of modules which will enable you to develop a deep understanding of some pervasive and problematic features of the world and of ourselves. You will study combination of modules which develop a deep understanding of how societies, institutions and practices of all kinds came into being, how they are currently organised, and how they might change in the future.

This degree programme will enable you to become competent in the specific skills required in Politics and in Philosophy, and in core academic and personal and key skills. You will be offered a wide range of choice within the programme of study, insofar as this choice is consistent with the coherence and intellectual rigour of the degree.

This programme is studied over four years. The first two years and the final year are university-based, and the third year is spent gaining employment experience at a suitable location in the UK.

This Employment Experience variant of the programme is a great way to incorporate graduate-level work placement or placements undertaken in the United Kingdom directly into your programme of study, to reflect critically upon these experiences, and for them to count towards the assessment of your degree. There is no better way to gain valuable employment experience that can be rewarded and recognised clearly by future employers. With preparation, support and approval from the Faculty, you can also demonstrate adaptability and resourcefulness by organising suitable placements in areas of employment related to your interests and potential future career.

3. Educational Aims of the Programme

The programme aims:

  • To produce graduates from the programme who are knowledgeable, curious, critical members of society.
  • To produce graduates who are grounded in the main themes of Philosophy through a combination of modules which develop a deep understanding of some pervasive and problematic features of the world and of ourselves.
  • To produce graduates who are grounded in the main themes of Politics through a combination of modules which develop a deep understanding of how societies, institutions and practices of all kinds came into being, how they are currently organised, and how they might change in the future.
  • To develop students competence in the specific skills required in Politics and in Philosophy, and in core academic and personal and key skills.
  • To offer a wide range of choice within the programme of study, insofar as this choice is consistent with the coherence and intellectual rigour of the degree.

4. Programme Structure

The BA (Hons) Philosophy and Politics with Employment Experience is a 4-year full-time programme of study at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level (6) (as confirmed against the FHEQ). This programme is divided into 4 stages. Each stage is normally equivalent to an academic year.

5. Programme Modules

The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.

The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual review of this programme. Details of the modules currently offered may be obtained from the Faculty website:

Philosophy modules https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=philosophy

Politics modules https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=politics

The Philosophy and Politics degree programme is made up of compulsory (core) and optional modules, which are worth 15 or 30 credits each. Full-time undergraduate students need to complete modules worth a total of 120 credits each year.

Depending on your programme you can take up to 30 credits each year in another subject, for instance a language or business module, to develop career-related skills or just widen your intellectual horizons. However, you must take 150 credits from each of Philosophy and Politics by the end of your degree.

Please note that modules offered are subject to change, depending on staff availability, timetabling, and demand.

Stage 1

75 credits of compulsory modules, 45 credits of optional modules

The first year gives you a foundational knowledge of philosophical and political theory and concepts. You will also gain important analytical techniques that will be useful across a range of subjects and research tasks.

Philosophy - 45 credits of core, you must choose 3 of the core modules listed below

Politics - 30 credits of core, you must take both POL1025 and POL1026

Compulsory Modules

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
PHL1002A Knowledge and Reality 1 15No
PHL1002B Knowledge and Reality 2 15No
PHL1005A Evidence and Argument 1 15No
PHL1006 Introduction to Philosophical Analysis 15No
PHL1013 Philosophy of Morality 15No
POL1025 Classical Political Thought 15No
POL1026 Early Modern Political Thought 15No
HAS1905 Employment Experience HASS 0No

Optional Modules

Politics: 30 credits of option modules

Philosophy: 15 credits of option modules

Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes, this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability.

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
Philosophy Stage 1 Option Modules 2025-6
PHL1004 Philosophical Problems 1 15 No
PHL1007 Philosophical Reading 1 15 No
PHL1009 Philosophies of Art 15 No
PHL1010 Introduction to Asian Philosophy 15 No
PHL1112 Philosophy of Film 15 No
Politics and Philosophy - Stage 1 Politics options 2025-6
POL1000 Critical Skills for Politics and International Relations 15 No
POL1017 Globalisation of World Politics 15 No
POL1018 The Challenges of World Politics in the Twenty-First Century 15 No
POL1019 Power and Democracy 15 No
POL1020 Politics in Europe 15 No
POL1029 Introduction to Comparative Politics 15 No
POL1045 International Politics of the Global South 15 No
POL1046 The State of the UK: Identifying Marginalised Identities and Addressing Inequalities 15 No
POL1047 Global Sustainability Governance and Policy 15 No
POL1048 The Politics of Development 15 No
SSI1002 Programming for the Social Sciences 30 No
SSI1005 Introduction to Social Data 15 No
SPA1002 Population and Society 15 No
SPA1001 Animal Politics 15 No
SPA1004 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence 15 No
SSI1006 Data Analysis in Social Science 1 15 No
ARA1010 Politics and Economy of the Contemporary Middle East 15 No
ARA1041 Religious Communities of the Middle East: Culture, Endangerment and Survival 15 No

Stage 2

60 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules

 

 

 

Compulsory Modules

As part of your 120 credits for the year, you must do the following:

Philosophy - at least 45 credits of core, choose 3 of the core Philosophy (PHL2xxx) modules listed below

Politics - 15 credits of core, POL2059 must be taken

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
PHL2010A Philosophy of Mind 1 15No
PHL2043 Philosophical Research 15No
PHL2015 Body and Mind 15No
PHL2016 Metaphysics 15No
PHL2018 Philosophy of Language 15No
PHL2118 Moral agency in social context 15No
POL2059 Political Thought of Modernity 15No
HAS2905 Employment Experience HASS 0No

Optional Modules

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
Politics and Philosophy - Stage 2 Politics options 2025-6
POL2020 Contemporary Theories of World Politics 15 No
POL2026 Political Analysis: Behaviour, Institutions, Ideas 15 No
POL2027 The Politics of the World Economy 15 No
POL2046 The Economics of Politics 15 No
POL2047 American Politics 15 No
POL2050 Political Philosophy 15 No
POL2057 Security Studies 15 No
POL2076 Rising Powers, Peace and Conflict 15 No
POL2079 Contemporary Public Debate in an Age of 'Anti-Politics' 15 No
POL2081 Thinking about Race: Perspectives from the Biological and Social Sciences 15 No
POL2082 Changing Character of Warfare 15 No
POL2098 What is Law? Jurisprudence from Stone Tablet to Brain Imaging 15 No
POL2107 Gender and Comparative Public Policy 15 No
POL2115 British Foreign Policy 15 No
POL2122 The Politics and Policies of Youth Engagement 15 No
POL2128 Introduction to Research Design in Politics and International Relations 15 No
POL2130 Comparative Electoral Systems 15 No
POL2131 Environmental Governance 15 No
POL2132 Decolonising Global Justice 15 No
POL2164 The Politics of Humanitarian Emergencies 15 No
POL2165 Foreign Policy Analysis 15 No
POL2166 Gendering World Politics 15 No
HAS2010 Work Experience: Building Skills and Unlocking Opportunities 15 No

Stage 3

120 credit compulsory placement module

Compulsory Modules

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
SSI3020 Employment Experience (UK and Abroad) 120Yes

Stage 4

30 credit compulsory Dissertation, 90 credits of optional modules

The centre-point of the final year is the dissertation. This provides you with the opportunity to explore an area of interest and to demonstrate what you have learned over the previous years of your degree. You will also take up to three other specialist modules to create a programme of work fully reflecting your interests.

 

Compulsory Modules

Philosophy or Politics Dissertation. As part of your 120 credits for the final year, you must choose one of the two dissertation modules.

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
PHL3040 Philosophy Dissertation 30No
POL3040 Dissertation 30No

Optional Modules

Philosophy - Choose 30 credits of PHL3xxx options if PHL3040 chosen. Choose 60 credits of PHL3xxx options if POL3040 chosen

 

Politics - Choose 30 credits of POL3xxx options if POL3040 chosen. Choose 60 credits of POL3xxx options if PHL3040 chosen

 

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
Philosophy Final Stage Option Modules 2025-6
PHL3001 Phenomenology 15 No
PHL3002 Existentialism 15 No
PHL3013 Virtues and Vices 15 No
PHL3014 Symbolic Logic 15 No
PHL3038 The Self 15 No
PHL3045 Aesthetics 15 No
PHL3052 Epistemology 15 No
PHL3053 History of Philosophy 15 No
PHL3054 Philosophy of Psychiatry 15 No
PHL3060 Philosophy of Emotion 15 No
PHL3078 Critical Theory: The Frankfurt School and Communicative Capitalism 15 No
PHL3080 Philosophical Frontiers 15 No
PHL3096 Cyborg Studies 15 No
PHL3111 The Deep Past, History and Humanity 15 No
PHL3113 Practical Ethics 15 No
PHL3114 Aristotle's Ethics 15 No
PHL3117 Philosophy and Psychedelics 15 No
PHL3118 Animal Minds and Animal Ethics 15 No
PHL3122 Philosophy of Medicine 15 No
PHL3124 Ethics of Emerging Technologies 15 No
PHL3126 Hidden Voices in Early Modern Philosophy 15 No
PHL3127 Plato's Dialogues 15 No
PHL3131 Philosophy of Music 15 No
International Relations and Politics Final Stage Option Modules 2025-6
POL3054 Nuclear Weapons in International Relations 15 No
POL3069 Globalisation and the Politics of Resistance 30 No
POL3090 Politics and Conflict in Deeply Divided Societies 15 No
POL3136 Political Psychology 30 No
POL3168 War and its Aftermath: Interventions and Contemporary Conflict 30 No
POL3180 Latin American Parties, Politics and Elections 30 No
POL3196 Democracy in the European Union 30 No
POL3234 Religion, Politics and Policy in Europe 30 No
POL3240 Women in the Criminal Justice System: Law, Policy and Institutions 15 No
POL3247 Politics of Biology 15 No
POL3248 Marxism(s) and International Relations 15 No
POL3250 Environmental Policy in Times of Crisis 15 No
POL3256 Trumping the Mainstream: The Populist Radical Right and Democratic politics 30 No
POL3259 Climate Justice 30 No
POL3260 Russian Foreign Policy 15 No
POL3263 Political Economy of Development 15 No
POL3274 Money, Lobbying, and Policymaking 15 No
POL3284 Realism and Its Critics: Debating and Applying International Relations Theory 15 No
POL3291 Disrupting Western and Neo-Liberal Policing of the Global and the Local 30 No
POL3292 LGBTQ+ Policies and Politics in the UK 15 No
POL3293 The Political Economy of Chinese Development 15 No
POL3294 Land, Power and Politics: a critical problem-based approach 15 No
POL3296 Political Economy of Populism 15 No
POL3297 Comparative Political Economy: Varieties of Capitalism 15 No
POL3302 Elections, Public Opinion and Parties in Britain 15 No
POL3303 Protest, Activism and the Environment 30 No
POL3304 Political Philosophies of Power 15 No
POL3306 Contemporary Chinese Diplomacy and Foreign Policy 15 No
POL3307 International Politics of the Body 15 No
POL3310 War in the 21st Century 30 No
POL3311 Brexit: Causes, Interpretation and Implications 15 No
POL3312 The Transformation of Politics in the Global Age 15 No
POL3316 Empire and Hierarchy in Russia and Eurasia 15 No
POL3317 Authoritarian Resilience in the Global South 15 No
POL3318 Transformation of Social and Political Realities through Smartphones 15 No
POL3319 The Politics of Place 15 No
POL3320 Politics Online 15 No
POL3321 The Politics of Economic Policymaking 30 No
POL3322 Artificial Intelligence and Democracy 30 No
POL3323 International Relations in Global History 30 No
POL3324 War, Culture and Society 30 No
POL3325 Understanding Public and Nonprofit Management 15 No
POL3326 International Politics of the Body 30 No
POL3327 Strategy and Psychology in Foreign Policy 15 No
POL3328 Surveys and Experiments: Design Implementation and Analysis 15 No
HAS3010 Work Experience: Building Skills and Unlocking Opportunities 15 No
POL3213 Feminist Political Theory 15 No

6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:		Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

1. Show familiarity with philosophical ideas about the nature of society and the social sciences;
2. Reflect upon the conditions of human social life;
3. Show familiarity with the history of modern Philosophy;
4. Demonstrate familiarity with basic concepts in epistemology, metaphysics, philosophies of mind and nature;
5. Analyse concepts in ethics;
6. Analyse and criticise substantial works by important historical and contemporary moral and political philosophers;
7. Engage in logical and conceptual analysis and reasoning about abstract matters;
8. Demonstrate understanding (at increasing depth, according to level) of issues (increasingly complex, according to level) arising from the subject matter of the elective modules taken;
9. POLITICS: Understand the nature and significance of politics as a human activity;
10. Apply concepts and theories used in the study of politics to the analysis of political ideas, institutions and practices;
11. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of different political systems operating at the local, national, European or international level;
12. Evaluate different interpretations of political issues and events.

Philosophy

In explicit terms, 1 and 2 are developed through lectures, seminars and essay work in PHL1002A and PHL1002B,; 3 and 4 through similar methods and strategies in PHL1006A, PHL1005a, PHL201a, PHL2016, PHL2015, and PHL2018; 5 and 6 through similar methods in PHL1013 and PHL2118; and 7 through similar methods on PHL2010A, PHL2010B, and PHL2018.

However, depending on the student’s chosen portfolio of modules, they will be developed, with increasing intensity as s/he progresses through the Stages, on the elective modules as well. 8 is developed through the optional modules taken. The level of competence expected of students intensifies at each stage of the programme.

Politics

9-12 are developed across all programme stages, moving from broad areas of politics in Stage 1 to progressively more specialised aspects at Stages 2 to 3; 10 is developed through the political theory modules students are required to take in each of the three years; 11 and 12 are present in some form in all Politics modules and the specific way it is developed will depend on the choice of Politics options in the three years, which fall roughly into the categories of International Relations, British and Comparative Politics, Public Policy, and State and Society.

The assessment of these skills is through a combination of the following:

Term-time essays 1-12

Oral presentations, 1-12

Examinations (and, where applicable, Research Methods Project, Dissertation work). 1-12

The criteria of assessment pay full recognition to the importance of the various skills outlined.

Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:		Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

13. Draw thematic comparisons between material from different sources;
14. Show awareness of contrasting approaches to research;
15. Understand and demonstrate the different uses of qualitative and quantitative data, and evaluate their relative advantages and disadvantages;
16. Show awareness of the basic philosophical questions arising from academic research;
17. Think and write broadly about large themes;
18. Use library and the world-wide web to find appropriate and relevant information;
19. Develop and deploy argument, grounded in theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence (Philosophy benchmark 6.2.4);
20. Identify problems of reliability and bias in, and more generally evaluate, empirical evidence;
21. Collate data from a range of sources;
22. Produce accurate reference to sources in written work;
23. Answer questions concisely and persuasively in written work;
24. Collate data from a range of sources;
25. Deploy complex terminology in a comprehensible manner;
26. Focus on and comprehend complex texts;
27. Manage their own learning self-critically.

These skills are developed throughout the degree programme, but the emphasis becomes more complex as students move from stage to stage. They are developed through lectures and seminars, written work, and oral work (both presentation and class discussion). 27 is developed through peer and self assessment of assignments, staff feedback on formative assignments, and student self-appraisal, which are used in various Politics modules.

These skills are assessed through term-time essays, assessed presentations, and examinations. 27 is not assessed (there is no requirement to do so in the Politics benchmark statement).

Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:		Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

28. Undertake independent study and ability to work to deadlines;
29. Deploy writing and research digital resources effectively;
30. Digest, select and organise material for written work and oral presentations, and write to varying word lengths;
31. Evaluate own work;
32. Sit timed, unseen examinations of a challenging nature;
33. Participate in oral discussions; present and evaluate complex arguments and ideas orally; digest, select and organise material for oral presentations;
34. Formulate and express ideas at different levels of abstraction;
35. Work with others as part of a team on challenging material;
36. Interact effectively with peers and staff;
37. Undertake group work, including the presentation and discussion of material in groups;
38. Plan the execution of demanding work over a very long time scale.

28 is an essential part of the successful completion of the programme.

29 is developed through the requirement to use digital research and writing resources.

30 is developed through essay and presentation work throughout the programme.

31 is encouraged and developed throughout, and is aided by the student Self-Appraisal system which takes place in the inter-semester week of Spring Term.

32 is developed through practice: at all stages, students are partly assessed by timed, unseen examinations.

33 is developed through seminars, which form part of all modules 34  is developed throughout the Philosophy side of the programme.

The skills in 35, 36 and 37 are developed to some extent in all modules, through interaction in seminars and in discussion with tutors about essay work, and in response to criticism both collective and individual.

38 is developed through the Dissertation at Stage 3, which has a single end of year deadline.

The skills in 28, 29 and 30 are assessed in all modules.

30 is covered by the fact that students write essays, which are formatively and summatively assessed, of differing lengths and in the Dissertation.

31 Is assessed implicitly throughout, and is aided by the student Self-Appraisal exercise conducted in the inter-semester week in Spring Term.

32 Timed examinations are used in all modules except dissertation.

33 is a continuous part of formative assessment.

34 Forms a basic tenet of examination throughout the Philosophy side of the programme.

35, 36 and 37 are part of formative assessment on all modules.

38 is covered by the Dissertation (in either subject).

7. Programme Regulations

Classification

Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.

8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning

Personal and Academic tutoring: It is University policy that all Faculties should have in place a system of academic and personal tutors. The role of academic tutors is to support you on individual modules; the role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff.

Exeter Learning Environment (ELE) is used throughout the University to make course materials available online. You will be able to access module information, presentations, handouts, reading materials as well as interacting with other students and your tutors. Many tutors use ELE to run assessments and set coursework assignments. In addition to the materials provided by your tutors, there are various other resources available on ELE to help you in your studies

Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students & staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision.

9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning

Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.

10. Admissions Criteria

Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.

Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.

Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.

11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards

Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.

The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.

(Quality Review Framework.

14. Awarding Institution

University of Exeter

15. Lead College / Teaching Institution

Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS)

16. Partner College / Institution

Partner College(s)

Not applicable to this programme

Partner Institution

Not applicable to this programme.

17. Programme Accredited / Validated by

0

18. Final Award

BA Philosophy and Politics with Employment Experience

19. UCAS Code

Not applicable to this programme.

20. NQF Level of Final Award

6 (Honours)

21. Credit

CATS credits

480

 ECTS credits

240

22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group

[Honours] Philosophy
[Honours] Politics and international relations

23. Dates

Origin Date

09/10/2024

 Date of last revision

09/10/2024