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Undergraduate Course
BA (Hons) Philosophy and Law
Overview
The details
Philosophy and Law
MVC5
October 2026
Full-time
What is BA Philosophy and Law?
Our BA Philosophy and Law combines the study of legal systems with the exploration of the philosophical ideas that shape them. You will examine not only what the law is, but also what the law ought to be, investigating questions about justice, rights, responsibility, freedom, and the relationship between law, politics, and society.
By studying philosophy alongside law, you will develop a deeper understanding of how legal systems are created, interpreted, and challenged. You will explore how ethical, political, and philosophical debates influence legal decision-making and public policy, while gaining a strong grounding in key areas of law.
Taught by internationally recognised academics within the School of Philosophical, Historical and Interdisciplinary Studies and Essex Law School, you will benefit from research-led teaching that combines legal knowledge with critical analysis. Through philosophical enquiry, legal reasoning, and independent research, you will develop the analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills valued across a wide range of professions.
Why this course
- Explore law from multiple perspectives: Examine both how legal systems operate and the philosophical ideas that underpin concepts such as justice, rights, responsibility, and equality.
- Combine legal knowledge with critical thinking: Develop the ability to analyse legal issues, evaluate arguments, and consider the wider ethical and social implications of the law.
- Study contemporary legal and philosophical issues: Explore topics including ethics, political philosophy, medicine and the law, cybercrime, and human rights.
- Develop highly transferable skills: Build advanced abilities in reasoning, research, communication, interpretation, and problem-solving.
- Learn from experts across two disciplines: Benefit from research-led teaching that draws on internationally recognised strengths in both philosophy and law.
Who should apply
- The Critical Thinker: Students who enjoy analysing complex issues and debating questions of justice, ethics, and public policy.
- The Future Legal Professional: Applicants interested in understanding the wider philosophical foundations of law and legal systems.
- The Problem Solver: Students looking to develop strong analytical, research, and communication skills applicable across a wide range of careers.
What you’ll learn
Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to reflect new developments in both legal scholarship and philosophical enquiry. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to curriculum developments and innovation.
In your first year, you will develop a foundation in both disciplines through modules such as Introduction to Philosophy, Criminal Law, and Public Law. You will explore key philosophical questions surrounding knowledge, identity, ethics, and responsibility while building an understanding of the foundations of the legal system and constitutional principles.
As you progress through the degree, you will study areas such as contract law, political philosophy, ethics, contemporary legal issues, and specialist law options. You will learn how philosophical ideas shape legal reasoning and public policy while developing practical skills in legal analysis and argumentation.
In your final year, you will complete a Philosophy Capstone Project, allowing you to undertake independent research on a topic that reflects your own interests and intellectual ambitions while drawing upon the knowledge and skills developed throughout the course.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.
Your learning experience
Undergraduate students studying Philosophy and Law typically attend lectures, seminars, tutorials, and discussion-based classes throughout their degree, with opportunities to develop both philosophical and legal skills.
- Taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and practical legal exercises.
- Develop skills in legal reasoning, critical analysis, research, and philosophical argumentation.
- Small seminar groups encourage debate, discussion, and close engagement with complex ideas and legal issues.
- Opportunities to apply legal principles to real-world scenarios and contemporary policy debates.
- Research-led teaching informed by the latest developments across both philosophy and law.
Philosophy and Law at Essex places discussion and critical enquiry at the centre of learning. You will be encouraged to challenge assumptions, evaluate evidence, and develop your own informed perspectives on legal and philosophical questions.
Assessment methods are designed to develop a broad range of academic and professional skills. Depending on the modules you choose, assessments may include essays, examinations, legal problem questions, presentations, coursework, research projects, and independent research assignments.
You will also have opportunities to engage with the wider legal community through activities such as mooting, negotiation exercises, legal research training, and initiatives including the Essex Law Clinic and Human Rights Clinic.
Careers and outcomes
A degree in Philosophy and Law equips you with a distinctive combination of legal knowledge and highly transferable intellectual skills. Graduates develop the ability to analyse complex information, evaluate evidence, construct persuasive arguments, and communicate effectively.
Essex graduates have gone on to careers in law, public policy, journalism, public relations, project management, education, the Civil Service, banking, media, policing, and many other sectors. The course also provides an excellent foundation for postgraduate study in law, philosophy, and related disciplines.
Throughout your studies, you will have access to employability support, career development opportunities, and guidance from academic staff. We also work closely with the University's Student Development Team to help students explore internships, placements, voluntary work, and graduate career opportunities.
The combination of legal understanding, critical reasoning, ethical awareness, and analytical rigour developed through Philosophy and Law provides an excellent foundation for both professional careers and further study.
Why we're great.
- We are world-renowned for our combination of Continental and Anglo-American philosophy.
- Our students are in demand from a wide range of employers in a host of occupations, including law, PR, project management, journalism and the media, teaching, librarianship, the Civil Service, banking, the police and fashion design.
- We provide a critical perspective on political, economic and technological developments.
Course content
Course structure
Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.
Components and modules explained
Components
Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.
Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.
| Status | What this means |
| Core |
You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted. |
| Core with Options |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted. |
| Compulsory |
You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
| Compulsory with Options |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
| Optional |
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail. |
The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.
Modules
Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.
In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.
Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:
| HR | 100 | 4 | FY |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The department or school the module will be taught by. In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History. |
The module number. |
The UK academic level of the module. A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course. A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules. A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification. |
The term the module will be taught in.
|
COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY
Criminal Law
(30 CREDITS)
How effective is criminal law? How do you break down a criminal law statute to its component parts? And how do you then interpret it? Understand criminal law in England and Wales. Read and critically analyse judicial decisions. Assess and answer factual problems, raising issues of criminal liability.
COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY
Public Law
(30 CREDITS)
This module introduces the fundamentals of the UK constitution and the foundations of judicial review. The module explores: the nature of the constitution; the structure of governmental power; the sources of constitutional rules; and the fundamental principles underpinning the UK constitution. The module considers the functions of the three branches of government (executive, legislative and judicial) and how they are accountable. The module examines the framework for protection of human rights in the UK and introduces the grounds of judicial review.
COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY
Introduction to Philosophy
(30 CREDITS)
Begin your study of philosophy with an exploration of epistemology (the theory of knowledge) and identity theory. What does it mean to say that we ‘know’ something? What if that something is ourselves? How do our modes of practical interaction with the world and each other shape our ability to know different kinds of objects? Are there vices of the mind that distort our reasoning and lead our practical deliberations astray? How important is trust in a functional knowledge community? What kind of creatures must we be in order to be capable of knowing things? What role does self-responsibility play in effective knowing? What is it to be a self? How does that differ from having an identity or identities? To what extent are our identities determined by others? Are they up to us? How can the study of philosophy help us with these questions?
COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY
Beyond the BA: Skills for the Next Step
(0 CREDITS)
This course introduces key academic, professional and personal skills to support a successful transition beyond undergraduate study. Students develop confidence in critical thinking, communication, teamwork and self reflection while exploring future study and career options.
View Beyond the BA: Skills for the Next Step on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY
Contract Law
(30 CREDITS)
What are the legal consequences of contract failure? How do you calculate damages? Examine key aspects of contract law. Identify legal issues in simulated case studies and learn to construct legal arguments. Apply legal principles and precedent cases to resolve simulated legal problems. Build the numerical skills to calculate damages.
COMPONENT 03: OPTIONAL
PY400-5-AU and/or PY408-5-SP and/or Philosophy option(s) from list
(30 CREDITS)
COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY
Contemporary Political Philosophy
(15 CREDITS)
What is politics (is it about justice or power)? How does political philosophy relate to real politics? What are competing approaches in contemporary philosophy? What are the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches?
View Contemporary Political Philosophy on our Module Directory
COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY
Philosophy Capstone Module
(30 CREDITS)
This is an intensive final-year module running over five weeks during the summer term. It involves a guided and structured approach to support you in completing a research project of your own.
Year abroad
On your year abroad, you have the opportunity to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised. The rest of your course remains identical to the three-year degree.
Teaching
Undergraduate students in the School of Philosophical, Historical and Interdisciplinary Studies typically attend a one-hour lecture and a one-hour seminar for each module every week (second and final year philosophy lectures are two-hours).
- Teaching takes the form of lectures, seminar sessions and tutorials
- Seminars allow your lecturer to explain new arguments and ideas, while giving sufficient time for questions and collective discussion and debate
- We believe that discussion is the lifeblood of philosophy, and we try to keep our classes as small as we can for this purpose
- Tutorials provide the opportunity to discuss the law, apply the law to factual problems, and develop legal arguments
- Basic IT skills training is available and training in the use of LEXIS and WESTLAW (legal research tools) is also given
- You are encouraged to take part in moots (mock trials), negotiation competitions and other practical exercises
Assessment
- Usually assessed by 2,000-3,000 word essays
- Most modules weighted 50% coursework and 50% exams
- First year marks do not count towards your degree class
Entry requirements
UK entry requirements
- 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels.
- IB: 30 - 29 points in the IB Diploma or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of 2 Higher Level subjects.
- We accept A-levels, AAQs, BTECs, Access to HE Diploma, T-levels and most other qualifications that hold UCAS tariff points. Acceptability of some non A-level qualifications (such as BTECs) may depend on the subject studied and units taken.
You can calculate your UCAS tariff points on the UCAS website.
Whilst International A-levels and BTECs aren't on the UCAS tariff calculator, we assign them the same tariff points as their UK counterparts.
More information about our requirements and how to apply is on our undergraduate application information page
Contextual Offers:
We are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an Essex education are supported to do so. We make Contextual Offers, of up to two A-level grades (or equivalent) below our standard conditional offer, to applicants from underrepresented groups residing in the UK. Our Contextual Offers policy outlines the full eligibility criteria.
If you haven't got the grades you hoped for, have a non-traditional academic background, are a mature student, or have any questions about eligibility for your course, more information can be found on our undergraduate application information page.
International & EU entry requirements
We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.
Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Undergraduate Admissions team at ugquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.
English language requirements
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English
IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or specified score in an equivalent test that we accept.
Details of English language requirements and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.
Pre-sessional English courses
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College
Fees and funding
Home/UK fee
£9,790 per year
International fee
£21,500 per year
Fees will increase for each academic year of study.
If your course has the option to include a placement year or study abroad, and you choose to do so, you will pay the following:
Placement year
20% of your standard tuition fee for that year
Study abroad
Full year abroad
15% of your standard tuition fee for that year
Single term abroad
Standard tuition fee
Scholarships and financial support
There may be scholarships, bursaries or discounts available to help with the cost of this course.
Fees and funding guide
What's next
Open Days
Our events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex. We run a number of Open Days throughout the year which enable you to discover what our campus has to offer. You have the chance to:
- tour our campus and accommodation
- find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
- meet our students and staff
Check out our Visit Us pages to find out more information about booking onto one of our events. And if the dates aren’t suitable for you, feel free to book a campus tour here.
2026 Open Days (Colchester Campus)
Applying
Applications for our full-time undergraduate courses should be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full details on how to apply can be found on the filling in your UCAS undergraduate application web page.
Our UK students, and some of our EU and international students, who are still at school or college, can apply through their school. Your school will be able to check and then submit your completed application to UCAS. Our other international applicants (EU or worldwide) or independent applicants in the UK can also apply online through UCAS Apply.
The UCAS code for our University of Essex is ESSEX E70. The individual campus codes for our Loughton and Southend Campuses are 'L' and 'S' respectively.
You can find further information on how to apply, including information on transferring from another university, applying if you are not currently at a school or college, and applying for readmission on our How to apply and entry requirements page.
If you receive an undergraduate offer to study with us in October 2026 and live in the UK, you will receive an email invitation to book onto one of our Open Days. These events provide the opportunity to meet your department, join interesting taster sessions, tour our campus and accommodation, and chat to current students. You can visit our Open Days event page for more information, including terms and conditions.
Visit Colchester Campus
Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.
Virtual tours
If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360-degree virtual tour allows you to explore our University from the comfort of your home. Check out our Colchester virtual tour to see accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.
At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.
The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.
The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.
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