Undergraduate

Philosophy

Tackle the big questions in life while learning crucial critical thinking skills.
3
Years Full Time

Contact us

Address

Student Central

The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

Telephone

131 UWA (131 892)

International

(+61 8) 6488 1000

Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

Frequently asked questions

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Careers and further study

This course opens up a world of future study pathways and career opportunities.

Career Pathways

By studying Philosophy, you'll develop conceptual and analytical skills, along with the ability to interpret the bigger picture—qualities that are highly valued in fields like business and public service, particularly in strategic planning. As awareness of corporate, medical, and environmental ethics grows, specialising in ethics can provide you with the skills and opportunities to make meaningful contributions in these areas.

Potential career paths include:

  • Policy and Planning Manager
  • Journalist
  • Lawyer
  • Academic

By studying Philosophy, you'll develop conceptual and analytical skills, along with the ability to interpret the bigger picture—qualities that are highly valued in fields like business and public service, particularly in strategic planning. As awareness of corporate, medical, and environmental ethics grows, specialising in ethics can provide you with the skills and opportunities to make meaningful contributions in these areas.

Potential career paths include:

  • Policy and Planning Manager
  • Journalist
  • Lawyer
  • Academic

About the course

The study of Philosophy tackles some of the biggest questions in life while teaching you the crucial skills of thinking critically, writing clearly and reading carefully. The questions explored include: What is justice? How do we know things? What does it mean to be conscious? Does God exist? Do the sciences tell us the truth about the world? Is time travel possible? What is truth? And many more.

Further Study

This major lays the foundation for further study options at honours and postgraduate level.
This major lays the foundation for further study options at honours and postgraduate level.
Further Study

Honours in Philosophy

Honours in Philosophy will develop high-level research skills and an ability to analyse and construct arguments, deepen your knowledge of the history of philosophy, as well as broaden and integrate your understanding of the sub-fields of philosophy. The honours seminars are designed to build on the understanding and knowledge of topics and historical figures that you encountered in your undergraduate study. You will also become familiar with cutting-edge, contemporary work in philosophy, which you have only a limited opportunity to explore at undergraduate level.

Further Study

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course. For fee type definitions and further assistance, see the Fee Calculator Help page. You can also search our database for scholarships that are relevant to you or this course

Domestic Student Fees

Indicative annual course fee
2025
Commonwealth Supported Place $10,248.76

Eligible Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) students can use the HECS-HELP loan program to pay their tuition fees. For Full-Fee Paying (FFP) places, students are charged an annual course fee.

Find out more information about tuition fees, or visit the fee calculator for a more accurate cost.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

International Student Fees

Indicative first year fee
2024
$45,800.00
2025
$48,300.00

Find out more about tuition fees or visit the fee calculator for the estimated total course fee.

Note, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are subject to increase up to 7.5 per cent per annum.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Admission requirements

The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers. If you’re interested in studying this major, find out the admission details below.

Minimum entry requirements

Below you’ll find a list of admission equivalencies for this course's Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).

Admission requirements

For applicants with recent secondary education, information on admission criteria is available on our entry requirements page or on the UWA Handbook for course specific requirements and prerequisites.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

How to apply

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Find out how to apply through our simple online application process. 

We'll guide you through our entry requirements, admission pathways available to you and application deadlines for your chosen course. 

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Apply now

Course details

The study of philosophy involves thinking about some of the big questions we ask during our lifetime. You'll explore a vast range of influential ideas, from the ancient philosophers whose works are preserved in manuscripts from India, China and Greece, to cutting-edge contemporary work on pressing ethical issues, the nature of mind, and artificial intelligence.

About the course

The study of Philosophy tackles some of the biggest questions in life while teaching you the crucial skills of thinking critically, writing clearly and reading carefully. The questions explored include: What is justice? How do we know things? What does it mean to be conscious? Does God exist? Do the sciences tell us the truth about the world? Is time travel possible? What is truth? And many more.
Philosophy

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
  • Albany (Regional campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • 12-15 contact hours, plus at least twice as much of your own study time
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-PHILY
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BA); 4 years (BPhil [Hons])
Philosophy
Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
  • Albany (Regional campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • 12-15 contact hours, plus at least twice as much of your own study time
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-PHILY
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BA); 4 years (BPhil [Hons])
Degrees course is available in
  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)

Jasper Twigg

Jasper Twigg

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Course Structure

Our undergraduate degrees offer you a broad range of options allowing you to combine subjects in a way that matches your career goals and personal interests.

Popular combinations

You'll learn to

  • analyse and evaluate arguments
  • distinguish between good arguments and bad arguments, irrespective of their subject matter, and therefore make informed decisions and recommendations on contentious issues
  • demonstrate clarity of thought
  • separate distinct issues, consider them independently and think out the consequences of positions on them
  • demonstrate the general skills for thinking about problems and tasks, and framing and evaluating solutions
  • frame, express and convey ideas – your own and other people’s – in a clear and convincing way
  • appreciate the value of different perspectives on life, society and knowledge

Put theory into practice

Current UWA students are eligible to take one of our professional experience units. These units bridge the gap between university and the workplace by providing opportunities to gain hands-on, practical experience. You can master new skills, make connections and network, get a taste of the opportunities in the workforce and add experience to your resume, all before graduating.

Find out more about Work Integrated Learning.

Your degree options

This major is offered as a degree-specific, or first, major for these degrees. It is also offered as a second major in our other bachelor's degrees.

Why study this course?

  • Develop advanced reasoning and communication skills, depth and breadth of view, and the ability to think critically and creatively
  • Improve your employment prospects while doing something that truly broadens your mind
  • UWA is the only university in Western Australia that teaches units in formal logic
 

Why take a second major

  • Expand your skills - Taking a second major either in a complementary area or in something like Economics or Business Law will show you have developed transferable skills such as, teamwork, critical thinking, digital literacy and presentation skills – which are highly sought after in the workforce.
  • Add it to your resume – Employers are looking for graduates who have skills in a variety of areas. Two majors will expand your career prospects and help you stand out amongst the crowd.