Philosophy
Philosophy is a set of fundamental enquiries concerning the world around us and our place within it. Its subject matter ranges from metaphysics and epistemology (what is the basic structure of reality, and how can we gain knowledge of it?) to ethics and political theory (how should we live, and what does a just society look like?), and from human nature (what is it to be conscious, virtuous, creative?) to modern culture (what is medicine, law, art, technology?). Philosophy is an interdisciplinary practice that intersects with history, psychology, theology, and the natural and social sciences.
At the University of Exeter, we draw upon a rich variety of philosophical tools, techniques, and traditions to produce internationally-recognised research across the discipline. Our research and pedagogy is conducted within a friendly, inclusive, and collaborative scholarly community.
Top 10 in the UK for Philosophy
8th in The Complete University Guide 2025
82% of our research is internationally excellent*
Based on research rated 4* + 3* in REF 2021. Our research in Sociology, Philosophy, Anthropology and Criminology was returned to this UoA
86% of graduates in or due to start employment or further study fifteen months after graduation
Sociology, Philosophy and Anthropology: based on full-time, first degree, UK domiciled graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes survey 2021/22
100% of our research has internationally excellent impact
Based on research impact rated 4* + 3* in REF 2021. Our research in Sociology, Philosophy, Anthropology and Criminology was returned to this UoA.
Study with us
Our undergraduate Philosophy programmes begin with a thorough grounding in the fundamentals of the discipline. From the second year, students specialise according to their own philosophical interests by choosing among a wide array of modules delivered by international experts in their field. Topics include cyborgs and society; gender, race, and sexuality; consciousness and cognition; mental health and illness; moral good and evil; dinosaurs, AI, and everything in between. Students of Philosophy develop valuable transferable skills of thinking, writing, and logical argument, and learn how to articulate their own views with clarity, precision, and an open mind.
At the University of Exeter we place a strong value on community, and we work closely alongside the Philosophy student society to build an active, friendly, and welcoming space for philosophical discussion and debate, both within and beyond the classroom.
Postgraduate research
Whether your research interest concerns performance analysis, ethnographic methods, historical research or theatre practice, our supportive research environment, academic expertise and state of the art facilities are on hand to support you successfully throughout your PhD. As a doctoral candidate you will be a vital member of our research community, participating in research centres as well as department-level seminars and university-wide training that is tailored specifically to your stage in the research process.
Our research
Our world-leading research in Philosophy explores fundamental issues of societal concern from a pluralistic and interdisciplinary perspective. The department has distinctive strengths in the history and philosophy of scientific practice, including biology, medicine, and data studies, through Egenis, the University of Exeter's flagship centre for the study of life sciences. The department is known, too, for its internationally-recognised research in situated cognition, affectivity, and artificial intelligence. In collaboration with partner disciplines of Sociology and Anthropology, and in dialogue with the wider scholarly community, our expertise covers social and political philosophy, the philosophy of race and gender, and the philosophy of law.
We offer excellent support for postgraduate study and postdoctoral research, and we welcome enquiries from prospective applicants.
