Philosophy
At Essex, philosophy has never been boxed in by the usual reading lists or disciplinary boundaries. We've never been afraid to read the books or think the thoughts that others dismiss.
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Undergraduate degrees
Philosophy at Essex is critical, existential, real and unique.
Philosophers at Essex use the tools of philosophy and the study of its history to engage with the most pressing issues of our time: climate change, capitalism & inequality, gender & justice, and the epidemic of mental illness.
As the UK’s leading centre for Critical Theory, we use multi-disciplinary analysis to ask hard questions about power and ideology in the contemporary world. Our courses tackle the hard questions about Death, God and the Meaning of Life. Plato thought that the ultimate concern of philosophy was with a world of abstract ideas. We love Plato, and we love ideas, but at Essex philosophy begins and ends in the real world. Our academics are making real-world changes, such as Professor Wayne Martin’s recommendations on Do Not Attempt CPR usage in care homes.
Moral, political and legal philosophy have implications for law. Our course offers opportunity to study, not only what the law is, but what the law ought to be.
BA (Hons) Philosophy and History
Our course provides a wide-ranging and sound academic grounding in the disciplines of philosophy and history
We take philosophy back to its roots in everyday existential, social, and political problems. We embrace the relevance of philosophy to other forms of enquiry.
BA (Hons) Philosophy and Politics
Some fundamental questions about political life, its principles and ideals, are philosophical in character. Our course brings philosophy and politics together.
BA (Hons) Philosophy and Art History
Study the disciplines of philosophy and art history together to appreciate the relationships between the two disciplines with a degree of critical awareness.
BA (Hons) Philosophy and Sociology
Study both disciplines and work with two of the UK's leading departments.
BA (Hons) Philosophy, Religion and Ethics
Study philosophy, with a focus on issues regarding religion and ethics, including momentous issues like the meaning of life, and the moral status of abortion.
BA (Hons) Continental Philosophy
Philosophy at Essex has an international reputation for being an outstanding centre for Continental Philosophy. Study our BA Continental Philosophy.
BA (Hons) Philosophy (Including Foundation Year)
This course includes a foundation year (Year Zero), followed by a further three or four years of study depending on whether you study abroad for a year
Integrated Master in Philosophy: Philosophy
On the Integrated Masters in Philosophy, you will cover a range of topics, including the meaning of life, capitalism & its critics, ancient philosophy, and more
Get ahead of results day. Explore your Clearing options now and be ready to secure your place with us when the time comes.
- Be part of a multi-faculty department where you can tailor your studies to suit your interests.
- We've been ranked 21st for philosophy for overall positivity score (National Student Survey 2025)
- You have the opportunity to spend a year studying abroad at one of our partner institutions.
Career prospects
Studying Philosophy at Essex can provide you with:
- The ability to analyse and solve difficult problems
- The ability to think clearly, creatively, and self-critically
- The ability to work in a team, taking a collaborative approach to problems
Philosophy graduates are well-suited to a wide range of occupations, including law, PR, journalism and the media, the Civil Service, charity work, banking, and the NHS.
“I chose to study philosophy at Essex because I always knew the University had a good reputation for this subject. However nothing prepared me for just how brilliant it is! The atmosphere in the School is fantastic; the lecturers are some of the most enthusiastic and interesting people you will ever meet, and so passionate about what they teach.”
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Postgraduate degrees
At Essex we are world-renowned for our combination of Continental and Anglo-American philosophy.
We study real-world problems, both political and existential, to gain a critical perspective on the personal, political, and socio-economic challenges we face today. Join our tight-knit school that is praised for its collaborative and supportive ethos and teaching environment.
Visit our department page to learn more about our faculty, research opportunities, and the diverse array of courses we offer that can enrich your experience at Essex.
- Ranked 3rd for philosophy for overall positivity score (National Student Survey 2024).
- We have the largest concentration of philosophers working on critical social theory in the UK.
- We have two major funded projects: the Ethics of Powerlessness, and the Essex Autonomy Project which was highly commended in the Timers Higher Education Awards.
Postgraduate Research degrees
Philosophy at Essex offers a unique environment for PhD study.
We have two major funded research projects: The Ethics of Powerlessness and The Essex Autonomy Project.
That's not all though. We have expertise in all sorts of philosophical themes and many of our academics are open to supervision.
Use our research finder to find a topic and a supervisor to suit you, or find out more about our School of Philosophy and Art History.
Start your application with us
Explore our Philosophy research by theme or your area of interest and find a supervisor that can support your through your studies. More information can be found about research degrees on our school pages. Our courses below will help guide you through the various research degree programmes we offer.
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Our Research Expertise
Our Research Expertise
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