University of Essex
Philosophy and Sociology (Including Foundation Year and Year Abroad) BA (Hons)
University of Essex

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 35 graduates of Philosophy and Sociology (Including Foundation Year and Year Abroad) BA (Hons) and other courses in Philosophy at University of Essex for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Philosophy.

Overall student satisfaction
77 /100
35 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Philosophy

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Philosophy at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £21000 £23500 £27500
25-75 percentile range £18000 - £25000 £16500 - £32500 £17500 - £35000


Salary of all UK Graduates of Philosophy

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £25017 £23533 £28944
25-75 percentile range £21008 - £30017 £17883 - £30634 £21303 - £39053

Course Description

On our four-year BA Philosophy and Sociology (including foundation year), we work with you to develop your subject-specific knowledge, and to improve your academic skills. You receive a thorough grounding in these areas during your foundation year (known as Year Zero) to prepare you for a further three years of undergraduate study at Essex. Our five-year version of this course enables you to study abroad during your fourth year of study.

This course includes a foundation year (Year Zero), followed by a further three or four years of study, depending on whether you choose to study abroad for a year. During your Year Zero, you study three academic subjects relevant to your chosen course as well as a compulsory academic skills module, with additional English language for non-English speakers.

You are an Essex student from day one, a member of our global community based at the most internationally diverse campus university in the UK.

After successful completion of Year Zero in our Essex Pathways Department, you progress to complete your course with our School of Philosophy and Art History.

Philosophy analyses broad ideas around human life and the nature of existence. It concerns theories of reality, knowledge, morality, ethics, rights, legality and aesthetics. Sociology examines the different kinds of social tensions, interactions and networks that make up everyday life. It asks why individuals, groups, cultures and peoples are the way they are and how they might be different.

You will have the opportunity to study both disciplines and work with two of the UK’s leading departments – our School of Philosophy and Art History, and our Department of Sociology.

You study topics such as:

  • Ethics
  • Philosophy of religion
  • Culture, identity and subjectivity
  • Public policy regarding health, the environment, crime and aging
  • Citizenship, multiculturalism and human rights

Our School of Philosophy and Art History has been ranked in the Top 20 in the UK for research excellence (REF 2014, mainstream universities, THE 2014).

Our Department of Sociology was rated Top 10 in the UK for research quality (REF 2014), and we are ranked 9th in the UK for Sociology in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2021).

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Philosophy and Sociology (Including Foundation Year and Year Abroad) BA (Hons) at University of Essex

30% Sales occupations
25% Secretarial and related occupations
5% Science, engineering and technology associate professionals
5% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
5% Administrative occupations
5% Business and public service associate professionals
5% Artistic, literary and media occupations
5% Customer service occupations
0% Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
0% Elementary occupations

Grading Distribution

Students of the course received the following grades

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for Philosophy

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • Graduate Degrees
    • 6.0
    • Undergraduate Degrees

Please note that this course is not open to international applicants.
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Philosophy and Sociology (Including Foundation Year and Year Abroad), BA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Philosophy and Sociology (Including Foundation Year and Year Abroad) BA (Hons)

England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
Channel Islands £9250 year 1
Ireland £9250 year 1
EU £19500 year 1
International £19500 year 1

Additional fee information

Fees displayed are for 2024-25 entry. Fees may increase for each academic intake and each academic year of study.

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

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.

Possible Entry Points:

  • Foundation

University Rankings

Positions of University of Essex in top UK and global rankings.

See all 27 university rankings of University of Essex

About University of Essex

The University of Essex, is a public, research university where curiosity prevails and thinking outside the box isn’t just encouraged, it’s expected. Based in the county of the same name, Essex, the main campus is located in Wivenhoe Park, near Colchester. It is home to the university’s three faculties, Humanities, Science & Health and Social Sciences, as well as a very large community of local rabbits, and other small fauna typical of the English countryside.

List of 921 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Essex - Course Catalogue

Student composition of University of Essex

undergraduates:
12070
postgraduates:
3690
Total:
15760
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Where is this programme taught

Colchester Campus
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