The Department of Philosophy welcomes the creative and the curious – people ready to take a critical look at philosophy. Our programmes cover core areas such as metaphysics, logic, epistemology and ethics, as well as the philosophy of science, medicine, and political philosophy.
Key facts
3rd
overall satisfaction for the Philosophy programme in the National Student Survey 2022.
5th
in the UK for research quality according to Times Higher Education.
Philosophy at Kent is part of the Division of Arts and Humanities, home to a wide range of subject areas encompassing all aspects of cultural life.
With a broad portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes offered at our campuses in Canterbury and Medway, and at Kent's Paris School of Arts and Culture, the Division provides a truly multidisciplinary community, crossing disciplinary, geographic and linguistic boundaries.
Such a diverse range of interests leads to a fascinating timetable of events and makes the Division an exciting place to study.
Our vision
In the Department of Philosophy you are encouraged to ask the
fundamental questions about the nature of life, to see things in new ways, and
be critical and creative, in readiness for a flourishing and enriching life.
We equip you with skills in reasoning, problem solving and
communication, all of which are highly sought by employers. We encourage
you to be flexible and proactive by engaging you in debates and group
discussions.
We promote diversity in the discipline, fostering links with other departments, as well as subscribing to
the British Philosophical Association (BPA)/Society for Women in
Philosophy (SWIP) Good Practice Scheme to encourage the representation of
women in philosophy.
The Department also subscribes to the British Philosophical Association's environment guidelines.
Inspirational teaching
Our teachers are enthusiastic and encourage debate. Whether lecturing on moral philosophy, or leading a debate on epistemology, our
staff are skilled at bringing their subject to life and drawing you into the
conversation.
You can choose from topics in both the analytic and continental traditions, shaping your degree to your interests.
We use a variety of assessment
methods – essays,
in-class assignments, online exercises, oral presentations and seminar
discussions – which helps you to develop a broad range of skills.
Philosophical debate is all around us: when you wonder whether there’s a God or whether it’s okay to break a promise. Philosophy teaches you how to think and react to the world; in that sense, it is one of the most practical subjects you can study.
Supportive community
We are a welcoming
and friendly department, where students and staff share interests and
experiences. We host various student events throughout the year, such as the Philosophy Reading Weekend (a weekend field trip delivered by undergraduates) and the Philosophy Walk.
We have a dedicated student support team who can help you with
your academic needs and offer general support. The University also has an
extensive academic and pastoral support network.
The Centre for Reasoning hosts conferences and workshops and produces The Reasoner
Research excellence
The Department of
Philosophy is an active and exciting research community producing high-quality research. We are home to two
research centres – the Centre for Practical Normativity and the Centre for
Reasoning, and work closely with Kent’s Aesthetics Research Centre. We
publish a regular bulletin, The
Reasoner.
Impressive prospects
Our students do well on
graduation, moving on to work in areas such as international law, the charity
sector, marketing and the media, including as broadcast journalists. This is due to the skills gained through their
studies, as well as the structured programme of employability events. These include workshops and opportunities to gain hands-on
experience through paid and voluntary work opportunities.
We are proud to have Nobel Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro as
one of our alumni.
The University's Careers and Employability Service supports students throughout their time at Kent, and for three years after graduation.
Philosophy students can spend a year studying abroad, including in Calgary, Canada
Study abroad
It is possible to spend a year studying
abroad at one of our partner institutions. It is a chance to enrich your
learning by immersing yourself in the culture of some of the philosophers you
study. It is also a fantastic opportunity for personal and career development. You
do not need to speak a foreign language as most of our partners offer programmes taught in English and related to your studies at Kent. You can
find more details on our Go abroad site.
Location
The Department of Philosophy
is based at our Canterbury campus with its first-class academic and leisure
facilities. We are equipped with the latest resources and our beautiful setting
offers plenty of tranquil spaces to study and relax. Everything you need on
campus is within walking distance, including a general store, a bookshop, bank
facilities, a medical centre and a pharmacy.
You can go off campus to explore the city's medieval buildings, historic pubs and mix of independent shops and leading high street brands. London is just an hour away by train.
