Philosophy and Politics
Philosophy and politics is a combination that addresses some of the most fundamental and practically significant questions in intellectual life: what is justice, how should societies be organised, what obligations do we have to one another, and what grounds political authority and legitimacy? Philosophy provides the tools for rigorous conceptual analysis and argument, while political science contributes empirical knowledge of how political systems actually function and the theoretical frameworks used to analyse them. Studied together, the disciplines illuminate each other in ways that neither achieves alone.
At the University of Stirling, this four-year programme gives you a thorough grounding in both disciplines. In philosophy you will engage with major traditions in ethics, political philosophy, epistemology and metaphysics, developing the ability to construct and evaluate arguments with precision. In politics you will study comparative government, international relations, political theory and the analysis of political behaviour, gaining a well-rounded understanding of political systems and institutions.
A year abroad is part of the programme, giving you the opportunity to study at an international partner institution and extend your intellectual horizons beyond the Scottish and UK context.
Philosophy and politics graduates enter careers in the civil service, law, journalism, public policy, research organisations, international institutions, NGOs and political work at all levels. The combination of rigorous analytical skills and political knowledge is particularly valued by organisations that deal with complex governance, ethical and policy questions. Many graduates pursue postgraduate study in philosophy, politics, public policy, law or international relations, and the degree is widely recognised as excellent preparation for further academic work in the social sciences and humanities.
The ability to think clearly about values and their political implications is a distinctive and increasingly valued skill.