A Philosophy and History degree at Southampton provides you with an opportunity to explore the events and ideas which have shaped, and continue to shape, the world around us. You'll explore some of the biggest questions of philosophy: Is there a god? What is morality? Can there be objective facts in ethics and politics? How should we think about global poverty or sexual morality? As a history student you'll be able to develop your own interpretations of disputed narratives across a wide range of periods, from Alexander the Great to New World slavery and the Space Age, and many specialist areas including East and Central European history, South East Asian history and Jewish history. Strengths of the degree are a wide choice of topics in the history of philosophy, including non-Western philosophical traditions, and an exceptional diversity of options to choose from in both subjects.

You’ll be taught in small groups in a relaxed and friendly environment. You'll benefit from the expertise of academic staff whose research feeds directly into the course content.

Compulsory modules will give you a strong grounding in both subjects. Optional module choices will give you the freedom to pursue your own interests in topics as varied as metaphysics, Reagan’s America, and witchcraft in 17th century England.

In this degree you can:

• develop an understanding of philosophical questions such as ethics, reason and responsibility
• learn about different approaches to history and gain access to a large collection of primary evidence
• explore how political motives and other forms of bias shape the way we think about the past
• apply philosophical thought to language, morality, sex and other aspects of life
• study areas of history rarely taught in most other UK universities, for example: East and Central European history, South East Asian history and Jewish history

Our philosophy and history graduates have secured roles as diverse as:

• project manager
• teacher
• human resources (HR) coordinator
• investment analyst
• digital marketing coordinator
• tax consultant
• data analyst