Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Theology

at University of Bristol - Clifton Campus United Kingdom

The MA in Philosophy will give you a thorough grounding in the core knowledge and skills required for philosophical research, while also allowing you to pursue your own philosophical interests in depth.

The MA is an exciting programme that provides an opportunity to design a path to match your philosophical interests. You will take three core taught units plus three additional units that you will select from a range of options. Your dissertation is an opportunity to work on an extended and original piece of research on a topic of your choosing, with guidance from a research supervisor. You will develop a deep knowledge and understanding of key areas of philosophy and a sophisticated ability to critically evaluate and assess philosophical theories.

Develop an understanding of the evolution of life on this planet through the study of geology and biology. Our degrees are interdisciplinary and provide you with a broad background in palaeobiological science, including state-of-the-art methods and technological advances.

Learn from experts with interests ranging from dinosaurs to plants to the origin of life and be fully immersed in hands-on palaeontology from the start.

One third of the first year is dedicated to biology and two thirds to earth science. After the first year you will take core units from both disciplines. In the third year you will carry out a research project, take a range of specialist palaeontology units and select from a range of optional units to pursue your own interests.

Current units include: Marine Micropalaeontology, where you will use microfossils to reconstruct past climates; Macroevolution, where you will learn techniques for analysing the large-scale patterns in evolution; and Vertebrate Palaeobiology and Biomechanics.

Our MSci course allows you to study more advanced material in greater depth during the additional year, giving you a career boost by investing in your skills development or preparing you for further research.

Our emphasis on quantitative research allows you to develop valuable mathematical and statistical skills. There are also opportunities for volunteer work and internships in our state-of-the-art palaeobiology laboratories.

This MSc conversion program is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). It is designed for students from non-psychology backgrounds and provides training in the theories and methods of contemporary psychological science. After successfully completing the program, you will be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the BPS, which is a prerequisite for pursuing a career in psychology.

You will learn the theories of social, cognitive, developmental, biological and individual differences psychology, and develop the skills to understand and apply the research on which these theories are based. You will also learn how to design research studies and analyse data to provide valid answers to meaningful psychological research questions.

In your dissertation, you will combine these skills and knowledge to develop, carry out and report on a substantial piece of original, empirical research.

Teaching and dissertation supervision is undertaken by internationally renowned academics, who employ a variety of teaching and assessment methods (eg lectures, seminars, tutorials, laboratories, essays, reports, examinations). These methods help you to develop transferable skills, such as critical thinking, psychological and scientific literacy, research skills, teamwork, and oral and written communication skills, which are valued by employers across a wide range of industries. They also help to prepare you for further postgraduate study in psychology.

This course is ideal for students interested in learning more about how to use numbers and data within politics. It provides training in practical and analytical skills, which will enhance your career prospects and provide you with a strong platform for postgraduate study. No prior knowledge of statistical techniques is required.

About two thirds of your studies will follow the single honours BSc Politics and International Relations. You will study the politics of individual countries and governments and the relationships between countries, communities and individuals. You will become familiar with different views and methods of analysis, learning to apply and evaluate them.

The remaining third of your course will provide interdisciplinary training in quantitative methods. In year one of the quantitative pathway we discuss how numbers and data are used to tell convincing stories in the media and social research. We consider what is meant by segregation and how it can be mapped and measured. Year two offers practical classes in social statistics and applied data analysis, which will develop your skills in numeracy and analysis.

Your third year abroad is an exciting opportunity to experience and study a different society and culture. Visit Global Opportunities to find out more about where you can study abroad.

You will undertake your own individual research project in an area of quantitative social science during your fourth year back in Bristol.

Do you enjoy both physics and computing? Our MSci Physics with Scientific Computing with Industrial Experience combines the study of the building blocks and forces of nature with training in computing and data-science skills. It includes a year of gaining hands-on, paid experience in the industry.

Computing skills are vital across many physics-related careers. This course offers a unique combination of units and projects blending programming, machine learning, data science and high-performance computing with fundamental concepts in physics. It aims to produce a new kind of scientist – one with a firm foundation in physics, a sound appreciation of scientific computing and an understanding of what can be achieved by combining them.

The industrial year can be a life-changing and rewarding experience providing valuable insights into the commercial pressures and real-world applications of physics and computing.

You will join a friendly department with a very active, award-winning student society. We encourage you to develop a broad range of skills, including the experimental, theoretical and computational skills needed for a career in research and industry. Our physics graduates have an excellent record of employment, a testament to the value that employers place on these skills. If you have a fascination for physics and an appetite for scientific computing, you will enjoy this programme.

This four-year course allows you to explore high-level mathematics at the leading edge of research. If you're driven by intellectual curiosity and enjoy the satisfaction of cracking difficult puzzles, this course provides you with core mathematical skills that will equip you for a variety of careers and give a strong basis for further study.

Our lecturers are passionate about their subject, with modules informed by cutting-edge research in fundamental mathematical abstractions, statistics and practical applications to global problems. You may be able to try units in quantum mechanics or mathematical biology, or take the opportunity to mentor and learn from students studying the same subject overseas.

Project work opportunities in each year of your course allow you to collaborate with staff and fellow students, preparing you for a substantial fourth-year project on a topic you are passionate about.

Year one consists of compulsory topics, covered in lectures, small-group tutorials and working through exercises independently and with peers, as well as freedom to explore a range of topics in collaboration with your personal tutor and fellow students.

In your second and third year you can start to shape your degree to fit your interests; continue with a varied degree or choose to specialise. You'll also have the chance to study units outside mathematics.

After your first year, support for your studies continues in the form of drop-in sessions with lecturers, exercise and feedback classes, and student-led Maths cafés.

Third- and fourth-year units specialise in exciting modern topics, informed by the strong research culture in our school.

BSc Economics and Politics combines an enriching experience with exciting intellectual challenges in two schools with strong reputations for teaching and research. By studying these two social sciences you will develop a deep understanding of global markets and political systems.

Economics follows a series of core units in the first and second years, covering micro- and macro-economics, mathematics, statistics and econometrics. This lays the foundations for specialising in the areas of economics that most interest you in your third year. Popular unit options previously have included Development Economics, Behavioural Economics, History of Economic Thought and International Economics.

You will also study the politics of individual countries and governments and the relationships between countries, communities and individuals. Politics is organised around three themes: political theory, comparative and national politics, and international relations. In addition to compulsory units, which will give you a solid grounding in politics, you be able to select from a range of units that are closely linked to staff research interests and thus unique to Bristol.

At a critical time in history, our MA in Law presents an exciting opportunity for you to move into a highly sought-after field of study - and graduate to meet a growing demand from organisations worldwide for expert lawyers that can embrace challenges and innovation.

Our programmes are well-respected by leading law firms*. As an accelerated, fast-track, senior status postgraduate degree, the MA in Law builds on the fact that you have already benefited from a university-level education, allowing you to graduate in just two years versus the three years it would normally take to obtain an LLB.  

Choosing the MA will enable you to develop core legal skill and a solid understanding of the foundation areas of legal knowledge, alongside options for further specialist study. This will see you gain a deeper understanding of law and legal reasoning than is possible with a one-year Graduate Diploma in Law – and access to a wider range of careers.

On the programme, you will be challenged and inspired by world-leading academics dedicated to progressive and innovative thinking in a multitude of legal fields, presenting you with an exciting opportunity to explore some of the most challenging legal questions facing today’s global society.

The intellectually demanding, research-rich curriculum our academics deliver is what makes our graduates stand out. Able to demonstrate excellent legal, analytical and research skills they are empowered to pursue top-flight roles in the legal, business, finance, criminal and technology sectors, or as specialist in-house lawyers.