BASc Philosophy and Global Sustainable Development
Bachelor of Arts & Science (BASc)
Three years full-time programme
Joint honours degree
Study abroad & work placement opportunities
Our Philosophy and Global Sustainable Development (GSD) degree allows you to apply your passion for Philosophy to answering the Big Questions of our time by studying it in combination with GSD.
Duration*
- 3 years full-time; or
- 3 years full-time with integrated study abroad programme; or
- 4 years full-time with intercalated year spent either studying abroad or on work placement.
Entry requirements
Please see our Entry Requirements page.
UCAS code
CATS
An Honours Degree requires a minimum of 360 CATS during the course, comprising 120 CATS per year.
Qualification
Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
Location of study
University of Warwick
Tuition fees
Find out more about fees and funding
Scholarship and Bursaries
Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship
We believe there should be no barrier to talent. That's why we are committed to offering a scholarship that makes it easier for gifted, ambitious international learners to pursue their academic interests at one of the UK's most prestigious universities. This new scheme will offer international fee-paying students 250 tuition fee discounts ranging from full fees to awards of £13,000 to £2,000 for the full duration of your Undergraduate degree course. Find out more about the Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship.
Find out more about scholarships and bursaries.
Additional course costs
There may be costs associated with other items or services such as academic texts, course notes, and trips associated with your course. Students who choose to complete a work placement or study abroad will pay reduced tuition fees for their third year.
* You will be automatically enrolled on the three-year course, however, you have the option to change to a four-year course with an intercalated year in your third year. During the intercalated year, you may pursue a study abroad programme or a work placement (subject to you meeting departmental academic requirements).
Global Sustainable Development (GSD) encompasses a network of complex challenges that require innovative thought and practical answers.
By studying Philosophy and GSD, you will encounter how thinkers of the past developed new modes of thought in response to the problems of their time.
Today, global inequality, food security, and potentially irreversible changes in our environment demand new ways of thinking. Within the Philosophy Department, you will learn about key ethical theories and critical concepts such as biopower and existentialism, and develop vital reasoning and communication skills.
Meanwhile, with GSD, you will take a transdisciplinary approach and confront issues from a diverse array of perspectives. You will need to be ready to think creatively and embrace new opinions from your peers from across the world. We will challenge you to become an active participant in your own learning.
You can enhance your skills and studies through optional work placements, study abroad, and certificates.
"If we do not first understand how to think, we cannot understand how to act"
"Marcus Aurelius wrote that 'the soul becomes dyed with the colour of its thoughts'. This defines what it means to study Philosophy and GSD. Philosophy is the foundation of everything we do; if we do not first understand how to think, we cannot understand how to act. The more we learn of ourselves, others, and the Universe, the more connections our souls can make; this interconnectedness is perhaps how we might learn to live beyond ourselves."
Elizabeth
Philosophy and GSD graduate
Hear more from GSD student ambassador, Elizabeth
First Year
Core GSD modules
- Economic Principles of Global Sustainable Development (GD104)
- Environmental Principles of Global Sustainable Development (GD105)
- Social Principles of Global Sustainable Development (GD106)
- Global Sustainable Development Project (GD107)
Core Philosophy module
Optional Philosophy modules
You will have a choice from first-year optional Philosophy modules. These may include:
- Ideas of Freedom (PH132)
- Logic 1: Introduction to Symbolic Logic (PH136)
- Reason, Argument and Analysis (PH146)
- Ancient Philosophy (PH140)
- Existence, Experience, History: Key Topics in Continental Philosophy (PH143)
- Philosophy for the Real World: Knowledge, Ignorance and Bullshit (PH148)
Certificates
Second Year
(remaining at Warwick)
Optional core GSD module
You will choose one module from the following list:
Optional module(s) with a GSD focus
- Approved optional module(s) with a GSD focus, including from other departments across the University
Optional Philosophy modules
Certificates
Second Year
(integrated year abroad with Terms 2 and 3 at Monash University)
Term 1
Optional core GSD module
You will choose one module from the following list:
Optional module with a GSD focus
- Approved optional module with a GSD focus, including from other departments across the University
Optional Philosophy modules
Terms 2 and 3
Students spend Terms 2 and 3 abroad at Monash University, studying relevant modules. Students are required to register on the module Study Abroad Part-Year (GD200) which recognises the period of study abroad.
Final Year
Core GSD module
Optional module(s) with a GSD focus
- Approved optional module(s) with a GSD focus, including from other departments across the University
Optional Philosophy modules
Certificate
Explore the lists of GSD and Philosophy modules
Your university experience could be a truly global one by studying overseas. You can access study abroad opportunities via two routes:
1. Study abroad in terms 2 and 3 of your second year
Read the transcript for this video.
You could spend terms 2 and 3 of your second year studying abroad at our Department's partner institution, Monash University, home to the world-leading Monash Sustainable Development Institute. Our integrated programme is specifically structured so you can spend time abroad without having to extend the overall length of your course. Your academic achievements abroad will count towards your degree awarded by Warwick, meaning your studies will be both rewarding and rewarded! You will continue to pay your course fees in full to Warwick and you will also continue to receive your student loan, if eligible.
2. Year-long study abroad
You may, alternatively, choose to spend an intercalated year at one of Warwick's many other partner institutions across the world. You'll spend your first and second years at Warwick, studying abroad in your third year. You'll then return to Warwick for your final year. Your year abroad won't count towards your final mark, but it will be recorded on your Higher Education Achievement Report, giving you the freedom to take chances with your module choice and push yourself outside of your comfort zone with your learning. Please see here for more information about the intercalated study abroad opportunity.
Find out more about your options for studying abroad.
Read the transcript for this video.
In the GSD Department, we have a dedicated Employability and Placement Manager who’ll provide you with one-to-one careers guidance. They work in collaboration with employers, so you’ll be supported in securing appropriate work placements. You’ll have access to specialist pre-placement advice, guidance and preparation, as well as on-going support during your placement.
Find out more on our Careers pages.
Single honours
Joint honours
- Economic Studies and Global Sustainable Development
- Education Studies and Global Sustainable Development
- Global Sustainable Development and Business Studies
- Hispanic Studies and Global Sustainable Development
- History and Global Sustainable Development
- Life Sciences and Global Sustainable Development
- Politics, International Studies and Global Sustainable Development
- Psychology and Global Sustainable Development
- Sociology and Global Sustainable Development
- Theatre and Performance Studies and Global Sustainable Development
93.3%
Our single honours Global Sustainable Development course scored 93.3% for overall satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2022
87.2%
Our Global Sustainable Development courses (single honours and joint courses collectively) scored 87.2% in the National Student Survey 2022
Our joint honours Global Sustainable Development courses are fully accredited with the Institute for Environmental Management and Assessment. This means that upon graduation from the courses, our students receive a professionally recognised level of knowledge, skills and tools for working in sustainability practice.