The course consists of four compulsory modules as follows:
 Logic and Metaphysics
The logic component of this course focuses particularly on proper names and definite descriptions, and the question of if and how they refer; Frege’s distinction between sense and reference; the contingent a priori and necessary a posteriori; the question of identity (of things and persons).
The metaphysics component of the course studies major metaphysical positions (monism- materialism and idealism- and dualism); questions about the meanings of ‘exists’ and ‘existence’; the nature of identity (of things and persons) and the nature of causation.
 Epistemology and Methodology
The epistemology component of this course is concerned generally with theory of knowledge. The sorts of topics covered are as follows: different sources of knowledge (innate/acquired); scepticism and ways of combating it; the nature of sense perception as a source of knowledge; the definition of knowledge; tracking the truth; the analytic/synthetic distinction.
The methodology component focuses on the problem of induction, the nature of scientific explanation, and the analytic/synthetic distinction.
 History of Greek Philosophy
The Pre-Socratic philosophers, including Heraclitus and Parmenides; Plato’s philosophical teaching and methods as seen especially in the Republic, the Theatetus and the Meno; Aristotle’s philosophy of mind and philosophical logic in the De Anima and the Metaphysics.
 History of Modern Philosophy
The metaphysical and epistemological thought of the great philosophers of the 17th and 18th centuries: the rationalists: Bacon, Descartes, Spinoza and Leibniz; the empiricists: Locke and Hume; the idealists: Berkeley and Kant.

A fifth compulsory course must be EITHER:
 Ethics
Discussion of important historical and contemporary theories and questions about ethics, including Aristotle and virtue theory, Hume and the relation between reason and emotion, Kant, JS Mill and utilitarianism, relativism, subjectivism and the case for moral truth.
OR,
 Political Philosophy
The arguments of the major political philosophers, past and present, as they relate to questions such as: What is the relationship between the individual and society? Why should I obey the law? What is freedom, or justice? Is there anything important about equality?

Introductions to all these topics are provided in year 1. In years 2 and 3, you study them further and also choose three options from the following list:
 Post-Aristotelian Philosophy
 Nineteenth Century German Philosophy
 Phenomenology
 Aesthetics
 Philosophy of Mind
 Philosophy of Psychology
 Philosophy of Religion
 Philosophy of Science
 Wittgenstein

One option may be chosen from the theology modules Concept of God, Aquinas and Bonaventure or Kierkegaard. Kant, Philosophy of Language and Marx are also available.

Assessment:
All the examinations for this degree take place at the end of the third year. However, some of the papers can be assessed by essays written in your own time.