BA Philosophy
From my first visit to Oxford Brookes,
I felt an instant connection to both the course and the city - it already felt like home. I knew I wanted to deepen my understanding of philosophy, and Oxford Brookes stood out to me as the perfect place to do so. The course offered something I hadn’t seen elsewhere; a balance between Western and Eastern philosophy. This gave me the opportunity to study areas I hadn’t previously explored, such as Eastern philosophies and the philosophy of art.
Every module I’ve taken has expanded my
understanding in unexpected ways. Two standouts have been Continental Philosophy and Philosophy of Art and Aesthetics. The Continental Philosophy module was particularly fascinating, allowing me to explore thinkers like Freud and how psychology intersects with philosophy. Meanwhile, Philosophy of Art and Aesthetics opened my eyes to the vastness of philosophical inquiry - showing that philosophy isn’t just about traditional texts, but something that can be found in everything around us.
Being on a smaller course has meant
I’ve had the opportunity to build strong, personal relationships with all my tutors. They’re incredibly supportive, always providing detailed feedback on drafts, and genuinely care about helping us succeed. As a student representative, I’ve also seen how open they are to student feedback. They’ve even encouraged informal philosophical discussions outside of class, like in The Philosophy Zone, a space where students from all year groups can come together to explore ideas. One of my favourite moments was when I convinced a tutor to let me run a mini-lecture on Taylor Swift as a philosopher!
Have fun with it!
Philosophy is such a broad and exciting subject, so don’t feel limited in what you can explore - our class has debated everything from fan culture to religious philosophy. I’d also recommend stepping out of your comfort zone when choosing modules. I never expected to enjoy formal logic, but once I gave it a go, I found it incredibly rewarding. Make use of the resources available, especially the reading lists - they’re carefully structured to guide your learning. And definitely take advantage of the chance to submit draft work for feedback; the tutors are always happy to help refine your ideas.
Some of the readings can be tough,
and philosophy often deals with complex concepts. At first, I struggled with ancient Greek philosophy and logic, but with time, patience, and plenty of discussions over tea and cake with my coursemates, I got there! The best thing I did was reach out to both tutors and fellow students - collaborating and breaking ideas down together made everything feel more manageable.
This degree has given me essential skills in
critical thinking, moral reasoning, and engaging with academic texts - all of which are valuable across a wide range of careers. Many students from the course go into teaching, policy making, civil service, publishing, or social care. The careers team has been very proactive, with guest speakers coming in to offer guidance and advice on next steps. I’ve also had one-on-one meetings with my academic advisor to explore future study options.
I plan to pursue a master’s in philosophy
before undertaking a PGCE to qualify as a secondary school Religious Studies teacher. I’ve always been inspired by my own RS and Philosophy teachers, and I want to pass that enthusiasm on to future students - helping them see how exciting and relevant philosophy can be.