Undergraduate

Philosophy and Politics

Hull Politics student, Jacqueline Gomes-Neves, stands on a winding staircase in Westminster looking up to the camera.
philosophy
Three of our politics students walking and chatting outside the Houses of Parliament.
Philosophy students Ellie Palmer & Ben John Campion in the Brynmor Jones Library
Our year-long Westminster placement scheme has been running for over 35 years, and is one of the most extensive of its kind in the UK.
Explore the ideas and values behind justice, democracy, and power - while engaging with contemporary issues like climate change, artificial intelligence, social identities, and human rights.
Our graduates are well known throughout the major UK political parties. So many of them work in Westminster they’ve become known as ‘the Hull Mafia’.
Graduates of this programme progress into diverse careers, including politics, intelligence and security, journalism, business and marketing, the civil service, and green-sector roles.
While many of our graduates work in Westminster, our courses open doors to careers in NGO’s, international relations, business and finance, and more.
Hull Politics student, Jacqueline Gomes-Neves, stands on a winding staircase in Westminster looking up to the camera.
philosophy
Three of our politics students walking and chatting outside the Houses of Parliament.
Philosophy students Ellie Palmer & Ben John Campion in the Brynmor Jones Library
Politics - Politics

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Code

Duration

Mode

  • Standard course
  • With a foundation year

Typical offer

What does this mean?

This course is subject to full validation, applications will open when the course is validated.

Debate the big questions about power, justice, and society with our BA Philosophy and Politics degree.

Challenge orthodoxy and explore topics like democracy, human rights, and the ethics of AI while tackling fundamental questions about reality, truth, and morality.

Work closely with world-leading experts and gain hands-on experience through opportunities like the renowned Westminster-Hull Internship programme. You'll develop skills in critical thinking, debating, and leadership that prepare you to shape the future and stand out in your career.

  • The UK's biggest

    Westminster placement programme

  • Teaching officially

    accredited by Parliament 1

  • Ranked 3rd in the UK

    for Teaching Quality and Teaching Satisfaction 2

  • 100% of students

    in work or further study 15 months after graduating 3

  • Study abroad

    in either Europe, the USA, or Hong Kong

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Course overview
Module options

About this course

Challenge assumptions. Debate the big questions. Tackle the fundamental issues that shape our world. On this Philosophy and Politics degree, we encourage you to think for yourself, question everything, and challenge orthodoxy. You’ll explore the ideas and values behind justice, democracy, and power - while engaging with contemporary issues like climate change, artificial intelligence, social identities, and human rights.

This degree isn’t just about learning; it’s about doing. You'll work closely with world-leading experts, including peers in the House of Lords, on a dynamically evolving programme that links cutting-edge research to real-world challenges. Through small-group teaching, student-led societies, and projects tailored to your interests, you’ll develop the critical, analytical, and leadership skills to shape your own future.

You’ll also gain incredible opportunities, like internships through the prestigious Westminster-Hull Internship Programme (WHIP), placements abroad, and mentoring and leadership training through the Peer-Assisted Student Success (PASS) scheme. With these experiences, you’ll leave Hull ready to lead change, tackle global challenges, and confidently navigate the complexities of modern life.

Scheduled study hours and how you’re assessed

Throughout your degree, you’re expected to study for 1,200 hours per year. That’s based on 200 hours per 20 credit module. And it includes scheduled hours, time spent on placement and independent study. How this time is divided across the year varies and depends on the module you are studying.

How you'll be assessed depends on the course you study, and the modules you choose. You may be assessed through a mix of examinations, coursework, presentations and group projects.

Choose your modules

Each year, you’ll study modules worth a certain number of credits, and you need 120 credits per year. Most modules are 20 credits – so you’ll study six modules each year. Some longer modules, such as a dissertation, are worth more. In these cases, you’ll study fewer modules - but the number of credits will always add up to 120. Some modules are compulsory, some are optional, so you can build a course that’s right for you.

Preparing for Learning in Higher Education

This module is designed to give you the best possible start to your university studies, making sure you have all the essential skills you need to succeed. Through lectures and workshops we will teach you how to write in an academic style, how to find quality sources, how to reference work, culminating in writing up a mini-research project.

Compulsory•20 credits

Introduction to Study in the Humanities

This module equips you with a suite of analytical and theoretical tools to support you as you progress along your academic journey. You'll develop an interdisciplinary understanding of approaches to study in the humanities by working with a variety of resources, including novels, films and aspects of the visual arts.

Compulsory•20 credits

Research in the Humanities, Social Sciences and Education

This module will equip you with the necessary skills to conduct and analyse research in a specific interest, supported by academics within your subject. You'll navigate through the research process, from identifying an area of interest to presenting their findings to your peers.

Compulsory•20 credits

Group Challenge (Humanities)

Formulate and execute a group led enquiry into texts, cultural artifacts, film, music or dance. You'll explore their topics in groups at supervised workshops and develop questions on the cultural object relates to the living world of human experience, as well as developing your own methods to answer these questions.

Compulsory•20 credits

Foundation in Data Analysis

Develop a strong foundation in data collection and analysis. This module will introduce you to qualitative and quantitative data and how to analyse it; the collection of primary and secondary data; the production of high quality graphics; and report writing.

Compulsory•20 credits

Academic Writing Skills

Developing confidence in expression, oral as well as written, is a key feature of this module, which also aims to familiarise you with submission and assessment procedures in the context of Higher Education. This is a clear building block onto your degree programme and places you at a distinct advantage when you move into the following year.

Compulsory•20 credits
6 Modules

To be confirmed...

The module information for this course will be released soon.

Compulsory•0 credits
1 Modules

To be confirmed...

The module information for this course will be released soon.

Compulsory•0 credits
1 Modules

To be confirmed...

The module information for this course will be released soon.

Compulsory•0 credits

In your final year you’ll take the Final Year Project and four optional modules.
1 Modules

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Westminster Placement

Course highlight 3 mins

Dr Elizabeth Monaghan

Course Overview 3 mins

Clara Wisenfeld Paine

Student story 1 min

Life on campus

University Life 2 mins

Entry requirements

What do I need?

When it comes to applying to university, you'll need a certain number of UCAS points. Different qualifications and grades are worth a different amount of points. For this course, you'll need…

Use UCAS's calculator to work out your estimated points

We consider experience and qualifications from the UK and worldwide which may not exactly match the combinations above.

But it's not just about the grades - we'll look at your whole application. We want to know what makes you tick, and about your previous experience, so make sure that you complete your personal statement.

Have questions? Our admissions team will be happy to help.

What do I need?

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by the University of Hull.

If your English currently does not reach the University’s required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Fees & funding

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and computers on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and computers on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

Our academics

You'll learn from some of the UK’s leading minds in political and philosophical theory - experts dedicated to inspiring you to realise your potential, including Prof Philip Lord Norton of Louth: the 'greatest living expert on Parliament'.

Our teaching in politics and in philosophy is consistently rated highly, thanks to the expertise of our staff and their commitment to helping every student thrive. Together, we’ll equip you to become one of tomorrow’s leaders, ready to leave the world better than you found it.

See more academics for this subject
Dr Dawn Wilson
Featured academic

Dr Dawn Wilson

Dawn’s multi-stage account of photography was internationally recognised as a new direction in the philosophy of photography. She works with research networks on photography, art, perception, image-theory, and cultural conservation projects.

Professor Philip Norton
Featured academic

Prof Philip Lord Norton of Louth

Described as the UK’s ‘greatest living expert on Parliament’ by the Political Studies Association, Lord Norton was appointed our Professor of Government in 1986. He is the author or editor of 32 books and received a peerage in 1998.

Take a look at our facilities

Brynmor Jones Library

Our 7-storey library is home to 1 million+ books, extensive digital resources drawn from libraries and archives across the world, and stunning panoramic views of the city from the 7th floor.

Rare Book Collection

Our collection includes a variety of titles published between 1473 and 2002. Texts are in 18 languages. Places of publication range from Amsterdam to Zwickau, covering 26 countries on 5 continents.

Study Rooms

You'll find over 1,000 work spaces in our library. From boardroom-style meeting venues with big-screen PCs, to informal group-study areas and interactive whiteboards.

Reading Room

You’ll find the Reading Room on the first floor of our library. It offers a comfortable space and a quiet environment to study – away from the hustle and bustle of the campus.

See more in our virtual tour

Look around

Look around

Look around

Look around

Brynmor Jones Library Observation Deck
Brynmor Jones Library Rare Books Room
Brynmor Jones Library Group Study Room
Brynmor Jones Library Reading Room
Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster in London at sunset with leafy grounds and yellow flowers below.

Future prospects

The way we teach Philosophy and Politics at Hull equips you with the skills to critically analyse, debate, and solve complex problems. You'll sharpen your ability to think independently, communicate effectively, and challenge orthodox ideas—all traits highly valued by employers.

Graduates of this programme progress into diverse careers, including politics, intelligence and security, journalism, business and marketing, the civil service, and green-sector roles. Many also pursue postgraduate study, such as law conversion or teacher training, to further expand their opportunities.

University of Hull Open Day

Your next steps

Like what you’ve seen? Then it’s time to apply.

The standard way to apply for this course is through UCAS. This will give you the chance to showcase your skill, qualities and passion for the subject, as well as providing your academic qualifications.

How to apply

Not ready to apply?

Visit our next Open Day, and see all that Hull has to offer for yourself. Talk to our lecturers about your subject, find out what university is really like from our current students, and take a tour of our beautiful campus and amazing facilities.

Book your place now

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1. Details of our Parliamentary approval can be found on the official UK Parliament website.

2. Philosophy is ranked 3rdin the UK for teaching quality. The Guardian University Rankings 2025.

Politics is ranked 3rd in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction. The Guardian University Rankings 2025.

Philosophy is ranked 2nd in the UK for student experience. The Guardian University Rankings 2025.

3. 100% employability for Politics & 100% employability for Philosophy. UK domicile full-time first degree leavers; Higher Education Graduate Outcomes statistics, for the academic year 2021/22, published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency June 2024.

 

All modules presented on this course page are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.

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