History and Philosophy

Philosophy helps you to acquire the philosophical skills and background knowledge to enable you to engage with some of the deepest questions human beings have ever asked and History can enable you to understand them through past events.

If you want to understand the past to prepare for your future in a changing world, studying History is the way forward. As well as covering modern, early modern and medieval, our degree course offers considerable scope to study the wider world. You get the chance to question some of the prevailing myths, preconceptions and prejudices which surround the writing of History.

Philosophy is for people who find they are bothered by questions that their friends can cheerfully ignore; people who do not want to settle for conventional answers and received wisdom, but want to arrive at answers that stand up to the most searching examination. Studying undergraduate Philosophy here will give you access to world-class talent in fields as diverse as Metaphysics, Philosophy of Psychiatry, Epistemology, Ethics, Philosophy of Religion, Philosophy of Mind and many others.

Both the History and Philosophy departments at the University of Birmingham have a friendly and relaxed atmosphere in an intellectually challenging and stimulating environment.

Why study this course?

Flexible programme - Our History and Philosophy Joint Honours degree course offers you a wide range of modules so that you can build a degree programme that suits your interests and enables you to develop your skills in both subjects.

Present day application - our modules explore how the past informs the present and provides a global historical understanding from the Middle Ages to this century, all through a modern lens.

Get ahead in the graduate market - take advantage of our work-based placements and employability focused modules and enter the workplace with the skills required to shape the digital and creative agendas of the future.

Rewarding student experience - At Birmingham we believe that teaching hours should be complemented by a wide-range of academic opportunities and social occasions. Join our community you'll have access to, among many other things, a student experience team who co-ordinate performances, talks, trips, podcasts, quizzes and celebrations and bespoke academic writing advice.

World leading discourse - The Department is at the forefront of philosophical discussion and debate. We collaborate across disciplines and borders. Our world leading research as part of Mental Health Humanities at Birmingham is pushing the boundaries of cross disciplinary dialogue in the universities dynamic mental health research agenda.

Top 150 for Philosophy in QS World Subject Rankings 2024

11th for Philosophy in the Complete University Guide 2025

13th for History in the Complete University Guide 2025