History and Philosophy and Ethics

Our History and Philosophy degree combines the academic study of history with skill-based modules that develop critical thinking. You could learn how to write a funding application in one module and how to pitch ideas to partner organisations in another.  

You'll study the history of philosophy and explore how people use philosophical ideas in today's world. You’ll consider our responses to environmental crises as well as exploring questions of identity, belonging and social justice. We'll also examine the relationship between the personal and the political. 

You’ll learn how to read historical texts and how to use a wide range of historical sources. We'll discuss and debate historical subjects and concepts. You’ll also learn to analyse, process information, make decisions, manage projects, network, collaborate, and work with experts inside and outside the University. 

We consider Western philosophical and ethical perspectives, and introduce you to the systems of thought of India and China. Our Philosophy and Ethics course stands out for its unique content and inclusive approach, making it essential and engaging. 

Year one 

Introductions and foundations: develop your critical thinking skills and follow a broad curriculum which allows you to ask questions, challenge your own assumptions, interrogate evidence, data and opinions. 

Year two 

Practical, applied, relevant: this year combines academic study with the acquisition of professional skills and the application of your knowledge and understanding to a defined problem or idea. 

Year three 

Achievement, consolidation, creativity: your final project in the third year brings all this together. You’ll identify your own questions and area of study, develop your proposal and put it into practice. This might be an extended piece of academic writing, an exhibition, community project, or the creation of digital resources. 

We’ll assess your progress in a variety of ways including essays, research papers, group presentations, projects, portfolios, and reports. There are timed assessments and some modules may have end-of-year examinations. 

Our assessment methods allow you to develop and demonstrate different skills. Many of these will help you in the workplace, for example: planning ahead, working to deadlines, and managing priorities. 

Remember that you’ll be devising your own projects and research questions, giving you the freedom to develop your own expertise, supported by your tutors, our partners and your peers. 

Our focus is on applying theory to the contemporary world and developing your confidence and capacity for analysis and debate. You'll be provided with opportunities for independent work which builds on your own interests, adds new dimensions to your thinking, or relates to plans for future careers and personal development. 

Special projects provide opportunities for independent work which builds on your own interests, adds new dimensions to your thinking, or relates to plans for future careers and personal development. 

You can take advantage of the learning support provided across the University, whether to develop your writing skills or to learn how to use new techniques and technologies. 

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement. 

Both History and Philosophy and Ethics are taught at our stunning Newton Park campus, where you’ll be surrounded by wildlife and a beautiful 18th century landscape and lake.

Our campus is a historic resource in its own right. Our campus buildings – which include a period manor house, gatehouse, keep, and state-of-the-art learning and performance facilities – are set in an eighteenth-century landscape complete with lake and pavilions.

With excellent links to nearby Bristol, you benefit from all the advantages of a buzzing, modern city, while being based in a beautiful, rural location just outside Bath city centre.  

You'll have access to a range of excellent Virtual Learning Environment, including:

• facilities with its state-of-the-art classrooms, study spaces and cafe
• Digital labs (Mac rooms) for students learning new media
• Commons building to support you in your modules.

In addition to the Library and online access to secondary and primary resources, we draw on the University’s own archive, other archives and museum collections, and the campus itself in our teaching.

As part of your degree, you could study abroad on a placement at one of Bath Spa’s partner universities.

Fieldwork and visits are an integral part of the course. We visit religious communities, mosques, temples, gurdwaras and churches.

Depending on your module choices, you’ll visit Stonehenge, Avebury, Bristol Harbour, M-Shed, major national museums and galleries such as Oxford’s Ashmolean or the V&A, and hidden gems such as the Wiltshire Museum in Devizes or Dyrham Park, just outside Bath.

Linked to our teaching, trips change from year to year. But our location in the heart of the Bath and Bristol cultural area means you you can learn outside the seminar room. We have The Holburne Museum, Roman Baths and Brunel’s SS Great Britain right on our doorstep.

Placement modules prepare you for the world of work. We have excellent links with third sector organisations, working with environmental and educational charities, as well as others. These links support your study, as we’ll explore how religious, philosophical and ethical perspectives can be applied to current issues.

You'll be able to work on projects with our partners in the city and region. This might involve research in a historic house, oral history projects, or devising public events and exhibitions. Through these projects, you’ll work collaboratively, manage your time, develop project management skills, and prepare for a future career.

If you’ve ever wondered what you can do with a History degree, the answer may surprise you. Yes, you could become a historian or a teacher, but we prepare you for so much more.

The transferable skills you’ll gain on this course will prepare you for a career that demands confident communication at all levels. This could include curation for museums and heritage organisations, or work in the public and social services, the charitable sector, or the NHS. You’ll be well-equipped for project management, education, and events management. You may also choose to continue your studies at postgraduate level.

Our graduates have gone into such areas as financial services, the police force, social work, journalism and management training schemes with major retailers, as well as worked for the National Trust, Bristol Old Vic and the Southbank Centre.

The ability to combine this course with another subject makes it ideal for individuals considering a career in teaching. Many graduates go on to train as teachers – the course is widely respected as a foundation for a career in education.

If you’re a full-time undergraduate student starting your first year at Bath Spa University, you can apply for the Certificate in Global Citizenship, which you’ll study alongside your degree.

You’ll gain global awareness and add an international dimension to your student experience, and funding is available. On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be awarded a Certificate in Global Citizenship. This is in addition to your degree; it doesn’t change your degree title or results.

The Professional Placement Year (PPY) provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for, and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Before your PPY, you'll work to identify roles of interest and secure a placement. The Placements Team will support through timetabled sessions and 1:1 appointments.

As well as completing a minimum of 900 placement hours, you will complete two assessments demonstrating your skill development, growth in professional behaviours and how the PPY has impacted your future career aspirations.