Why Bachelor of Arts?
The word 'philosophy' derives from the Greek 'philos' and 'sophia' and means 'love of wisdom'. Philosophers seek to understand the world, our place in it and the nature of the human mind.
Philosophy encourages critical thinking and introspection, leading to profound personal growth and a better understanding of others. It refines moral and ethical viewpoints, inspiring you to navigate the world with purpose and challenge injustice.
For philosophers, thinking is both an art and a science. Ethical issues like AI integration and sustainability loom large in our future. Philosophical skills are crucial for navigating these – and much needed in careers demanding nuanced thinking and decision-making.
Overview
Our Bachelor of Arts has a strong focus on flexibility, critical thinking and career readiness. The Philosophy major is tailored for curious minds eager to understand and influence the philosophical discussions that shape our world. You’ll explore big questions concerning reality, meaning and morality. What is consciousness? Do we have free will? Is it ever okay to interfere with another person’s autonomy? Investigate complex issues – from the nature of time and space to human knowledge, consciousness and justice. Learn logical tools to analyse and resolve paradoxes. Engage in ethical debates on issues like abortion, emerging technology and personal obligation.
Our curriculum goes beyond studying historical philosophers, focusing on contemporary debates, ideas and research. Our hands-on approach means you won’t just learn about philosophy; you’ll actively philosophise yourself, engaging deeply with the challenges of our time. You’ll build a formidable toolkit of analytical, problem-solving and creative thinking skills, all highly valuable across a range of careers.
Key features
Investigate big questions about reality, meaning and morality.- Interrogate the status quo and things you take for granted.
- Learn to defend your views clearly and persuasively using reason.
- Build strong networks with peers, teachers and the wider community.
- Clarify your career path through research and self-reflection.
- Undertake an industry-aligned internship.
What you'll learn
Our Bachelor of Arts degrees offer unmatched choice and flexibility, with exploratory and future-facing learning relevant to community and industry. Build vital writing, communication, analysis and debate skills. Deep-dive into human rights and values, enhancing your cultural sensitivity, big-picture thinking and creative problem-solving.
In our standout career courses, you’ll research and chase meaningful job opportunities. Build your professional network, shadow experienced pros and get the kind of tailored mentoring that makes a difference. Through self-reflection – and an industry-aligned internship – you’ll gain a clear view of where you're headed and the tools you need to get there.
In your Philosophy major, you’ll take thought-provoking courses:
- Philosophy: big questions
- Philosophy: key thinkers
- Ethical theory and its practical applications
- Logic, language and paradox
- Mind and Consciousness
- Knowledge: its sources and limitations
- Time, change and free will
- Freedom, obligation and justice.
You’ll use critical reason and logic to unpack philosophical concepts, building a sharp analytical skillset. Understand the origins and nature of knowledge. Explore different approaches to the study of human consciousness. Investigate metaphysical issues like the nature of time and space.
Adelaide University’s philosophy teachers are active researchers with expertise in mind and cognition, epistemology, logic and ethics. This means you'll learn from bold thinkers at the forefront of philosophical research, who’ll ensure your education is current and relevant.
Majors
The Bachelor of Arts is also available with majors in the following:
- Aboriginal Studies
- Archaeology and Classical Studies
- Art History and Visual Culture
- Anthropology
- Chinese Studies
- Cultural Studies
- Creative Writing
- English Literature
- Environmental Management
- French Studies
- Gender and Sexuality Studies
- Geography
- German Studies
- History
- International Development
- International Security
- Italian Studies
- Japanese Studies
- Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
- Politics
- Population and Migration Studies
- Screen Studies
- Sociology
- Spanish Studies.
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 18 units for Core courses, and
- 96 units for 2 Majors from Majors, and
- 18 units for all Work integrated learning, and
- 12 units for all Electives
Complete 18 units comprising:
- 18 units from Common core
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
An Ethically Rich Life
|
Course code
COREX001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
|
Course code
COREX002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
|
Course code
COREX003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
|
Course code
COREX004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
|
Course code
COREX005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
|
Course code
COREX006
|
Units
6
|
Complete exactly 36 units from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Philosophy: Big Questions
|
Course code
PHIL1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Philosophy: Key Thinkers
|
Course code
PHIL1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
An Intensive Introduction to Logic
|
Course code
PHIL1007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Philosophy of Film
|
Course code
PHIL2004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Cognitive Science: Minds, Brains and Computers
|
Course code
PHIL2005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Crime and Punishment
|
Course code
PHIL2006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Foundations of Modern Philosophy
|
Course code
PHIL2007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Metaphysics: Identity, Time and Freedom
|
Course code
PHIL2009
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Moral Problems
|
Course code
PHIL2010
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Philosophy of Science
|
Course code
PHIL2011
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
AI and Human Life: Ethics, Politics, Subjectivity
|
Course code
PHIL2012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Cognitive Science: Minds, Brains & Computers
|
Course code
PHIL2014
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ethical Theories: Their Foundations and Practical Applications
|
Course code
PHIL2016
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
How Should I Live? Contemporary Ethical Theories
|
Course code
PHIL3006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Philosophy of Language
|
Course code
PHIL3007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Beauty: Pleasures and Principles
|
Course code
PHIL3009
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Disinformation and Injustice: The Ethics of Belief
|
Course code
PHIL3010
|
Units
6
|
Complete 18 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 1
|
Course code
SOCI1007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Internship: Society and Culture
|
Course code
SOCI3903
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Elective 1
|
Course code
AUXX1011
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Elective 2
|
Course code
AUXX1012
|
Units
6
|
Complete one Major from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Art History and Visual Culture
|
Course code
ARTHBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Cultural Studies
|
Course code
CULTBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
English Literature
|
Course code
ENGLBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Environmental Management
|
Course code
ENVMBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
International Security
|
Course code
INTSBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
French Studies
|
Course code
FRENBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Politics
|
Course code
POLIBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Population and Migration Studies
|
Course code
POPUBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Screen Studies
|
Course code
SCRNBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Sociology
|
Course code
SOCIBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Spanish Studies
|
Course code
SPANBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
German Studies
|
Course code
GERMBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Archaeology and Classical Studies
|
Course code
ARCYBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Aboriginal Studies
|
Course code
ABORBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Creative Writing
|
Course code
CREWBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Anthropology
|
Course code
ANTHBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Gender and Sexuality Studies
|
Course code
GENDBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Geography
|
Course code
GEOGBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
History
|
Course code
HISTBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
International Development
|
Course code
INTDBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Italian Studies
|
Course code
ITALBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Japanese Studies
|
Course code
JAPNBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
|
Course code
LINGBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Social Research and Policy Analysis
|
Course code
SOCRBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Chinese Studies
|
Course code
CHINBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Kaurna Languages
|
Course code
KAURBARTS
|
Units
48
|
Complete 12 units comprising:
- 6 units from Year 2 selectives, and
- 6 units from Year 3 selectives
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Philosophy of Mind
|
Course code
PHIL2008
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
AI and Human Life: Ethics, Politics, Subjectivity.
|
Course code
PHIL2015
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Biomedical Ethics and the Politics of Health
|
Course code
PHIL2013
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Existentialism
|
Course code
PHIL3005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
God, Faith and Infinity: Philosophy of Religion
|
Course code
PHIL3008
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
The critical thinking skills you learn studying arts and philosophy will be helpful in both your personal life – and your future career. You could work in academia, become a journalist, or take the next step and study law. You might write thought-provoking novellas like Alain De Botton. Perhaps you’ll be an expert on Kwasi Wiredu, a teacher of Nietzsche, or an activist like Anna J. Cooper.
You could also be a:
- Management consultant
- Business analyst
- AI ethicist
- Research analyst
- Human rights advocate
- Bioethicist
- Human resources specialist
- Content strategist
- Ethics and compliance officer
- User experience researcher
- Arts manager
- Politician.
Industry trends
As a philosophy graduate, you'll find success in a range of sectors from politics to business strategy, thanks to your strong skills in critical reasoning and precise writing. Philosophy majors can be flexible, with many creative thinkers securing positions at prestigious firms like Microsoft, Google and Deloitte. They report above-median starting salaries (Australasian Association of Philosophers, 2021) and data shows they have the biggest increase of any major in earning power during the first ten years after graduation (World Economic Forum, 2018).
In a world where technology is advancing quickly, machines still fall short in mastering logical analysis and genuine analytic thinking. Whether it's breaking down complex problems, questioning assumptions or crunching numbers with mathematical logic, your philosophy toolkit is set to stay relevant and sought after.
Ready to apply?
Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
