Philosophy/Scottish History

Philosophy and Scottish history is a combination that invites you to think deeply about some of the most fundamental questions of thought and existence while also engaging seriously with the particular story of one of the world's most distinctive nations. Philosophy at the University of Glasgow is concerned with the systematic attempt to arrive at clear answers to profound questions about knowledge, life, morality, science, and human nature using reason and argument. Scottish history addresses the political, religious, social, and cultural dimensions of Scotland's past, from the medieval period to the present, with all the richness, complexity, and contemporary relevance that a distinctive national history provides.

At the University of Glasgow this part-time programme allows you to pursue both subjects at a pace that fits around other commitments. The degree includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to study in a different intellectual context and to bring an international perspective to both philosophical and historical questions. Glasgow has one of the UK's strongest philosophy departments and a long tradition of Scottish historical scholarship, so the intellectual environment for both subjects is genuinely excellent.

The programme develops your capacity for rigorous argument alongside deep contextual and historical understanding.

You will develop close-reading skills, the ability to construct and evaluate complex philosophical arguments, historical research ability, and critical writing skills. These capabilities are genuinely transferable across many professional contexts.

Graduates pursue careers in education, the civil service, journalism, heritage and museums, publishing, the voluntary sector, and law. Postgraduate study in philosophy, Scottish history, or a related humanities field is a natural and common continuation for those who want to develop specialist expertise or pursue academic research.