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Philosophy

Introduction

Philosophy at Aberdeen is all about The Big Questions – the study of argument and how we apply it to a wide variety of questions of fundamental importance to human life and intellectual activity. The high level of intellectual skills, experience and career options you will gain on this programme – rated by students as top in Scotland – are all big too.

Our Degrees

We offer a range of Philosophy degrees which you can read more about below.

View available degree programmes

Pathway Programmes

The University of Aberdeen International Study Centre offers preparation programmes for progression to undergraduate degree study at the university.

Discover the International Study Centre

Philosophers attempt to answer questions such as: What is knowledge? What is the nature of truth? Why should we act morally? Philosophy is just as much the study of reasoning and argument as it is the application of thought to specific problems.

What makes Philosophy at Aberdeen especially attractive is the breadth of courses, the user-friendly materials you will use, and the experts who will teach you. In your first year alone you will study topics such as How Should One Live? Controversial Questions, and Experience, Knowledge and Reality. You will go on to study moral philosophy, metaphysics, epistemology (the nature of knowledge), philosophy of science, and of religion, and the history of philosophy.

The intellectual skills you will gain in critical analysis and communication developed through your programme will be greatly sought after by employers for any career you choose, including business, and your options will be wide.

You will enjoy a special, warm welcome at the University of Aberdeen, benefit from excellent teaching, research with international impact, and a truly global experience as part of our friendly and vibrant international community. You will love our beautiful campus, great facilities for learning, sports and leisure, and the many opportunities to add the skills and attributes to give you a competitive advantage in the career path you choose, and the broad horizons from study abroad.

Available Programmes of Study

Single Honours Degrees

Joint Honours Degrees

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Joint Honours Degrees

Major-Minor Honours Degrees

Why Study Philosophy at Aberdeen?

  • Famous philosophers who worked at the University include Thomas Reid, founder of the 18th century Scottish School of Common Sense Philosophy, and Alexander Bain, who helped lay the foundations for modern scientific psychology.
  • The Aberdeen Philosophy in Education Group (APEG), which is unique in Scotland, trains students to discuss philosophical questions with local primary and secondary school pupils.
  • Café Philosophique brings philosophers and the local community together, using popular films and novels to explore philosophical puzzles in an informal atmosphere.
  • The Centre for the History and Philosophy of Science, Technology and Medicine acts as the focus for research, teaching and engagement in the history, philosophy, ethics, literature and museology of science, technology and medicine.
  • The spectacular, award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library offers superb collections, including early printed works of natural philosophy and medicine, the archives of Thomas Reid, and records of the Aberdeen Philosophical Society.
  • We offer a packed programme of public events, lectures and debates, including the annual WayWORD literary festival, which attracts high-profile scientists, scholars, authors, actors and broadcasters to discuss and debate the big issues of today.
  • The skills you learn in Philosophy—for example, to think and write clearly, to explain complex ideas, to challenge orthodoxy—lend themselves to many careers.
  • Studying Philosophy will change how you think about things and how you approach life's challenges.
  • Philosophy is interesting! Students from all disciplines often report that studying Philosophy was the most rewarding experience of their studies.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.

View the Aberdeen Global Scholarship

Get in Touch

Contact Details

Address
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX