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Philosophy

BA/BSc (NFQ Level 8)
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This course is available through the following application route(s)

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Philosophy at UCD is consistently listed in the Top 100 QS World University rankings by subject. Are you interested in thinking for yourself? Do you like problem solving? Do you want to tackle some of the most challenging questions that have fascinated thinkers for centuries, such as: Do we have free will?, What is consciousness?, How should we live?, Does God exist?, What can we learn from art and literature?

About This Course

Philosophy at UCD is consistently listed in the Top 100 QS World University rankings by subject. Are you interested in thinking for yourself? Do you like problem solving? Do you want to tackle some of the most challenging questions that have fascinated thinkers for centuries, such as:  Do we have free will?; What is consciousness?; How should we live?; Does God exist?; What can we learn from art and literature?

Science, literature or history are all equally good preparation for studying Philosophy. The main requirement is a capacity for clear thinking, honesty and discussion.

Philosophy is essentially about dialogue and discussion, about giving reasons and examples, about counter-arguments and counter-examples. We read the work of great philosophers, but we also challenge their arguments and conclusions. Although all the modules are based on lectures, many of these are highly interactive. In addition, philosophy is rare in the university for offering small-group tutorials for all of its modules.

First Year

You will be introduced to a wide spectrum of philosophical approaches, from historical to contemporary, from ethics to critical thinking, from existentialism to Eastern philosophy. As Social Sciences students you will also take the core module, ‘Societal Challenges in the 21st Century’.

Second Year

Modules include: Applied Ethics • Knowledge & Scepticism • Feminism & Gender Justice • Logic • Plato • Phenomenology • Philosophy of Mind • Philosophy & Literature

Third Year & Fourth Year

The third year provides the opportunity for students to apply to study abroad or undertake an internship. Students can choose from a wide range of modules, including: Science, Perception, & Reality • Personal Identity • Philosophy of Language • Phenomenology and History • Wittgenstein • Critical Theory • Irish Enlightenment • Perception, Hallucination and Illusion • Nietzsche • Philosophy of Law • Authenticity and Implicit Attitudes • Aristotle

Students can switch into a Single Major in Philosophy at the end of their second year. In doing so, they will graduate with a BA Philosophy at the end of their degree.

Assessment

There is a variety of assessment: traditional exams, take-home essays, on-line assessments, as well as presentations and group work.

Study Philosophy (BSc Social Sciences)

Archaeology Sociology
Economics Mathematics
Geography Social Justice
Information & Communication Studies Statistics
Politics & International Relations

Chinese Irish/Gaeilge
Greek Linguistics

Philosophy, Politics & Economics

⇒ Click To View The BSc Social Sciences Course Combination Grid

Study Philosophy (BA Joint Honours)

Art History Music
History English

⇒ Click To View The BA Arts Course Combination Grid

Destinations include: France, Germany, Belgium, US and Italy. Students studying Philosophy with Chinese will study abroad for their third year.

UCD School of Philosophy

philosophy@ucd.ie


Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students may progress with Philosophy in Stage 2 having passed any two Philosophy modules offered in Stage 1.
PHIL10160 Critical Thinking Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students may progress with Philosophy in Stage 2 having passed any two Philosophy modules offered in Stage 1.
PHIL10190 Introducing PPE Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students may progress with Philosophy in Stage 2 having passed any two Philosophy modules offered in Stage 1.
PHIL10040 Introduction to Ethics Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students may progress with Philosophy in Stage 2 having passed any two Philosophy modules offered in Stage 1.
PHIL10020 Mind, Language and Meaning Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students may progress with Philosophy in Stage 2 having passed any two Philosophy modules offered in Stage 1.
PHIL10030 Introduction to Modern Philosophy Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students may progress with Philosophy in Stage 2 having passed any two Philosophy modules offered in Stage 1.
PHIL10100 Existentialism and Humanism: An Introduction to Continental Philosophy Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules. Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20240 Applied Ethics Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules. Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20440 Feminism & Gender Justice Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules. Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20490 Knowledge & Scepticism Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules. Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20500 Phenomenology & Existentialism Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules. Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20580 Plato's Republic Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules. Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20630 Art and Society Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules. Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20750 What was Philosophy? From Ancient Greece to Judaism, Islam and Christianity Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules. Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20010 Rationalism and Empiricism Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules. Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20020 Logic Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules. Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20570 Philosophy & Literature Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules. Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20640 Philosophy of Mind and AI Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules. Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20710 Body, Mind, World Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 5 of:
Select a minimum of 5 of the following option modules. Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20760 Intro to Buddhist Philosophy Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31030 Philosophy of Perception and the Senses Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31040 Philosophy of Interpretation Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31070 Aristotle: Ethics & Politics Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31090 Hume and Kant Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31100 Philosophy of Fiction Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31160 Medieval Metaphysics: John Scotus Eriugena Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31180 Topics in Early Modern Philosophy Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31200 Philosophy of Law Autumn  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31010 The Philosophy of Nietzsche Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31050 Critical Theory Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31080 Hist & Phil: Nazi Germany Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31110 Applied Epistemology Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31120 Wittgenstein Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31150 Phenomenology and History Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31170 Philosophy of Language Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31190 Irish Enlightenment Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20240 Applied Ethics Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20440 Feminism & Gender Justice Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20490 Knowledge & Scepticism Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20500 Phenomenology & Existentialism Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20580 Plato's Republic Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20620 Philosophy of Social Science Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20630 Art and Society Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20750 What was Philosophy? From Ancient Greece to Judaism, Islam and Christianity Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20010 Rationalism and Empiricism Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20570 Philosophy & Literature Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20640 Philosophy of Mind and AI Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20710 Body, Mind, World Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20760 Intro to Buddhist Philosophy Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31030 Philosophy of Perception and the Senses Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31040 Philosophy of Interpretation Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31070 Aristotle: Ethics & Politics Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31090 Hume and Kant Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31100 Philosophy of Fiction Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31160 Medieval Metaphysics: John Scotus Eriugena Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31180 Topics in Early Modern Philosophy Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31200 Philosophy of Law Autumn  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31010 The Philosophy of Nietzsche Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31050 Critical Theory Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31080 Hist & Phil: Nazi Germany Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31110 Applied Epistemology Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31120 Wittgenstein Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31150 Phenomenology and History Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31170 Philosophy of Language Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Please ensure that you register to a minimum of 25 credits overall for Stage 3. You must select at least 20 credits from this options list. Remaining credits may be selected from from this list or the second options list below.
 PHIL31190 Irish Enlightenment Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20240 Applied Ethics Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20440 Feminism & Gender Justice Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20490 Knowledge & Scepticism Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20500 Phenomenology & Existentialism Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20580 Plato's Republic Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20620 Philosophy of Social Science Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20630 Art and Society Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20750 What was Philosophy? From Ancient Greece to Judaism, Islam and Christianity Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20010 Rationalism and Empiricism Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20570 Philosophy & Literature Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20640 Philosophy of Mind and AI Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20710 Body, Mind, World Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Additional modules can be selected in place of electives.
 PHIL20760 Intro to Buddhist Philosophy Spring  5

I have always been a deep thinker with an interest in understanding some of the bigger and more fundamental questions in life. So it only felt natural to come to UCD to study philosophy and learn how one would go about answering some of these questions. Studying philosophy at UCD has been a wonderful experience as the lectures and tutorials are filled with discussions and debates about varying topics. Additionally, the staff at the School of Philosophy are just phenomenal, as they really want you to succeed and are ready to help you in any way possible. Studying philosophy has given me the tools to form strong arguments and think critically, and I know that these skills will prove beneficial later on as well.

Ada Ruohonen, Graduate

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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Philosophy:

ROWCLASS Apply to
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SBU3
Social Sciences
Bachelor of Science

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates
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BAU5
Joint Honours
Bachelor of Arts

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates
Apply
showAudience-audienceEU
DN700
Social Sciences
Bachelor of Science

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Application through CAO
Apply via CAO
showAudience-audienceEU
DN520
Joint Honours
Bachelor of Arts

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Application through CAO
Apply via CAO
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