Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Ethics and Religion

at University of Southampton - Avenue Campus United Kingdom

Some of the greatest mathematicians have also been philosophers, and vice versa. On this joint BA Philosophy and Mathematics degree you’ll explore the close relationship between the two, tackling some of the biggest questions in philosophy - is there a god? What is morality? What does it mean to be human? - while developing advanced maths skills. You'll get to spend a placement year abroad at a university in Europe.

This degree will give you an excellent education in mathematics and philosophy. In your degree you can:

• Develop an understanding of philosophical questions such as ethics, reason and responsibility
• Gain a thorough understanding of key mathematical areas, including linear algebra, calculus, statistics and differential equations
• Apply philosophical thought to language, morality, sex and other important aspects of life
• Learn skills in mathematical investigation and research
• Study abroad at one of our partner institutions

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

You can take modules from other disciplines such as anthropology or psychology, studying a language, or choosing from a range of cross-disciplinary modules. These include topics such as social enterprise, risk management, and living and working on the web.

Explore the evolution, biology and behaviour of humankind through the study of our Stone Age ancestors. With this specialist master’s in palaeoanthropology you’ll gain expertise in the analysis of stone tools and hominin skulls to understand our evolutionary journey. You’ll work closely with experts in our Centre for the Archaeology of Human Origins (CAHO) and benefit from opportunities to apply your learning in real-world settings.

We’re ranked Top 30 in the world for archaeology (QS World University Rankings, 2019).

Your specialist palaeoanthropology learning will cover:

• handling and interpreting stone tools
• the role of evolutionary models, experimental testing, primatological data and ethnographies in the study of human origins
• developing methods to interrogate meaning from collections of stone tools
• using SPSS statistical analysis software

Palaeolithic symbolism and language, migration and responses to environmental change
Beyond your specialist modules you can personalise this palaeonthropology MSc to your areas of interest.

We bring expertise together from across the University, including Medicine, Humanities, the National Oceanography Centre, Engineering and Winchester School of Art, to help you gain both scientific skills and cultural understanding through a range of optional modules.

This is a very practical degree, but you don’t need prior knowledge of biology or anthropology. You’ll be based in our dedicated John Wymer Laboratory, with its own specialist library and large collection of stone tools and hominin skulls. Staff, PhD students and MSc students work in the same space, creating a lively learning environment. As a student on this course you automatically become a member of the CAHO research group.

You’ll have the opportunity to apply your skills on a 4-week placement, where you’ll gain valuable real-world experience of the archaeology sector and heritage industry. Previous placements have included Historic England, Wessex Archaeology and The Nautical Archaeology Society.

This  Palaeoanthropology course offers a balance between vocational and research skills. During your dissertation you’ll be able to embed with one of our research groups to do original research on a topic of that you choose. There is the possibility that this work will be published.

Southampton is close to the World Heritage sites of Stonehenge and Avebury and we have research projects engaged with both sites, as well as a range of other archaeological projects across the Globe.

If you’d prefer a less specialised archaeology master’s degree, or you’d like to focus on a different specialism, you can choose from our 3 other Archaeology MSc pathways. When you join us you’ll have 2 weeks in which you can change pathway if you wish.

Explore English literature in-depth with a master’s degree at the University of Southampton.

Our course gives you the opportunity to pursue literary topics and genres from a wide selection of authors and periods, including:

• Shakespeare
• Jane Austen
• Holocaust literature
• Victorian print culture
• literature and law

On completion of the course, you’ll be ready for careers in teaching, publishing and arts administration.

You’ll get the chance to carry out advanced-level research and independent critical thinking, and to make effective use of archives, manuscripts, and research libraries. We'll help you examine how literature shapes the public understanding of diverse fields such as:

• Climate change
• Economics
• Medicine
• Religion

We offer a flexible module structure which is designed to give you an advanced understanding of cultural analysis, textual interpretation and theoretical method. You can specialise with one of 4 subject-specific pathways, or take a more general approach by choosing modules from each pathway.

The information on this page refers to the general pathway.

Across all pathways, you’ll explore the interrelations of text, theory and culture across the field of English literary and cultural studies. We’ll work with you to:

• Develop your knowledge of critical and research methods
• Raise your awareness of the historical and critical reception of literature in various periods
• Explore the role of literature in a contested cultural framework

Explore how humans and our ancestors engaged with the world, and gain a fascinating insight into what it means to be human. This archaeology and anthropology with year abroad course combines aspects of the humanities and the sciences. You'll study global human diversity in time and space, in a truly interdisciplinary way. Along with studying the theoretical background, you'll do fieldwork as part of an active research project in the UK or abroad.

BA Archaeology and Anthropology with Year Abroad will give you an insight into how human societies came into being today, how they have changed over time, and the underlying reasons for human diversity today.

The degree integrates the disciplines of archaeology (the study of the human past through its material remains) and anthropology, which is made up of 3 areas:

• Social anthropology (exploring how people in different places create meaning and build communities)
• Biological anthropology (looking at the physiological and genetic diversity in present and past human and primate societies)
• Anthropological linguistics (the study of humans through the languages they use)

This course combines aspects of the humanities and the sciences. We have a purpose-built archaeology building, equipped with the latest science-based laboratories. You'll gain hands-on experience with archaeological artefacts and materials, and receive practical training for a career in archaeology or anthropology.

Our anthropology and archaeology degree with year studying abroad gives you the chance to spend a year at one of our partner institutions such as the University of Malta or the Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona. This will give you the chance to discover theories and findings in exotic locations, boost your career opportunities and find out how to become an anthropologist or archaeologist.

This degree gives you the opportunity to study a minor subject alongside the main programme.

We’re also offering up to 10 bursaries of £1000 each to incoming students (subject to criteria). These are from the Terry Mason Bursary and the University of Southampton Archaeology Bursary Fund.

Develop your passion for reading and your talent for languages. Discover new ways to think about literature from around the world. At Southampton, you'll study the French language and culture, and English literature together to improve the way you learn. For example, you can deepen your understanding of the novel form and the culture of cities. Experience another culture with a year abroad.

This dynamic BA English and French course shows you the connections between literature, language and culture. Our English modules cover writing from around the world and its connection to politics, the arts, identity and more.

In your French studies, you can take modules that feed your love of history and culture, or you may choose to focus on linguistics. You can shape your degree to suit your interests or career aspirations.

You'll spend your year abroad at one of our partner universities in Europe, in Canada or in Guadeloupe, La Réunion or Martinique.

As part of this course you can:

• Use our Centre for Language Study, including a French resources room
• Join one of 40 student-led performing arts groups
• Take part in writing workshops at Nuffield Southampton Theatres
• Use a unique collection of rare books at the Chawton House Library
• Explore experimental writing with our Entropics events
• Get one-to-one tutorials on writing from our Royal Literary Fund Fellows

Learn about the ancient world and find ways to understand the foundations of how we live today. You'll develop specialist knowledge in your chosen areas of study and learn in an engaging and supportive research environment. You can also choose to spend time at a university abroad.

On this UK ancient history degree you'll study the ancient world in depth and we will help you to develop your career interests and discover ancient history degree jobs.

Ancient history is an interdisciplinary field, so you can study topics that you’re already passionate about, or choose to try something new.

Our wide range of topics cover ancient Egypt to the rise of Islam in the Middle East. You can also explore what happened during the conquests of Alexander the Great, and at the end of the Roman Empire.

Why study ancient history with us:

• Learn ancient history from experts on the ancient world (including history, archaeology, ancient and modern languages and literatures, philosophy and film)
• Gain experience of archaeological fieldwork and take part in study tours
• Develop your research and dissertation skills
• Challenge yourself by learning Latin and Ancient Greek
• Spend time at a university abroad in Europe, the United States, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea or Australia

Combine the study of film with a knowledge of cultural management on this MA Film and Cultural Management degree at the University of Southampton. You'll gain in-depth understanding of the film industry, film theory, and the modern cultural sector, focusing on how cultural management affects visual media. Prepare for a career in film, media or the arts.

On this UK master's course in film and cultural management you'll examine the importance that film has on society.

Depending on your choice of modules, you could study film-related topics such as:

• Festivals and specialist programming
• Policy
• Exhibition
• Marketing and audience development
• The role of film agencies

You'll gain real-world insight through case studies that draw on local, national and international examples, and study the subject in both national and global contexts.

The cultural sector plays an increasingly significant role in political, social and economic policy because of its potential to enhance cultural life while generating wealth.

Develop the knowledge and skills you’ll need to become an entrepreneur in the global music industry on our MA International Music Management master's degree. On this UK course you'll learn about all aspects of the music business, from live performance and streaming to advertising and video games. Industry professionals will help you discover the careers you can go into. We were number 1 for music research in the most recent UK Research Excellence Framework (REF).

This International Music Management master’s course will prepare you for a management career in the global music business.  

You’ll develop critical understanding of the legal, economic, social and cultural frameworks that support the music industry.

And you'll gain key business skills through exposure to local music venues such as Turner Sims, touring musicians, and masterclasses with industry partners like Sony, Universal, Google and YouTube.  

On this practical programme, you'll also learn about:

• How the music publishing industry makes its money
• Copyright and licensing
• Music event planning
• Adding music to a video game or tv show  
• The costs involved in making an album
• How music festivals and opera companies work

You'll learn from expert academics with plenty of music industry experience and connections. They'll teach you to the practical skills you need to work in a wide range of music management roles.

This French and History degree offers you flexibility and variety. You'll become fluent in an internationally important language, and gain a deep understanding of contemporary French culture. Your history modules will give you a global perspective on past societies. You'll spend a year in a French-speaking country to develop your language skills and boost your employability.

French is spoken in countries throughout Europe, Africa and Asia. Speaking the language with confidence will open up travel and work opportunities across the world.

You’ll start your language studies at the right level based on your existing ability in spoken and written French. You’ll have excellent resources to support you at the Centre for Language Study.

You can explore a wide range of topics in History, including conflict and culture in world histories, empires, and the First World War.

As well as studying French and History, you’ll develop advanced analytical skills.

A special module in year 2 will make sure you’re ready for working and studying abroad in year 3. You can spend the year in countries such as:

• France
• Belgium
• Switzerland
• Belgium
• Canada
• Guadeloupe
• Martinique
• La Réunion

From the Aztecs and Maya to Ancient Egypt, the Roman Empire and the medieval world, you'll study the story of human activity and the origins of civilisation on BA Archaeology with Year Abroad. Through the latest techniques and technologies, you'll investigate how our ancestors lived, from the earliest human origins, to Neolithic Britain, Ancient Egypt and the Medieval Middle East.

Archaeology is the study of the human past through its material remains, such as its:

• Buildings
• Monuments
• Artefacts
• Biological remains
• Written sources
• Landscape

Whether in the laboratory on a dig, you'll develop transferable skills through exploring questions about people in the past and in the present. This archaeology bachelor degree with year abroad explores world archaeology, on topics such as:

• Excavation and field survey techniques
• Underwater archaeology
• Artefacts analysis
• Museums, heritage and public archaeology

You'll have the opportunity to experience fieldwork, including at least 3 weeks of fieldwork as part of an active research project.

We have a purpose-built archaeology building, equipped with the latest science-based laboratories. You'll gain hands-on experience with archaeological artefacts and materials, and receive practical training for a career in archaeology.

You'll spend a year abroad at one of our partner institutions such as the University of Malta or the Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona. This will give you the chance to discover theories and findings in exotic locations and boost your career opportunities.

This degree gives you the opportunity to study a minor subject alongside the main programme.

We’re also offering up to 10 bursaries of £1000 each to incoming students (subject to criteria). These are from the Terry Mason Bursary and the University of Southampton Archaeology Bursary Fund.