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Philosophy
Find out about Philosophy at Sussex, based within the Faculty of Media, Arts and Humanities, and search for people who work there.
Research
Find out what we do.
Explore the subject
Find out more about life as a Philosophy student.
Sussex Philosophy Society
Join us in Brighton for our public philosophy events.
About Philosophy
We’re committed to producing world-leading research, teaching an innovative and diverse curriculum and promoting the public good through philosophy.
We’re ranked 4th in the UK for our research impact and have worked with a wide variety of organisations, including the UK Parliament, the Royal College of Midwives, the British Horseracing Association, Philosophy in Prisons and the International Science Council.
We work across a range of philosophical traditions, continental, analytic, western and non-western and believe that a pluralist approach is beneficial to research, teaching and society.
Careers
Recent Sussex philosophy graduates work across the globe in:
- academic institutions
- law
- tech companies
- business
- journalism
- marketing
- policy-making
- schools and colleges
- health and social care
- the civil service
- UK Parliament
- The United Nations.
Others have gone on to become museum curators, television script writers, poets, musicians, stand-up comics, entrepreneurs and chief executive officers.
A degree in philosophy from Sussex provides you with all the skills you need to succeed: whatever career you decide to pursue.
I’m currently working on a project supporting decarbonisation of religious institutions and I find myself on a daily basis drawing on both the skills and the confidence I developed while studying philosophy at Sussex” Jakub Kowalewski
BA Philosophy
Philosophy at Sussex
Studying with us gives you the skills and confidence you need to succeed in work and in life. Find out how our former students benefitted from studying Philosophy and PPE at Sussex.
Why study Philosophy?
- Video transcript
Former Student 1 (Nasir): Hello, my name is Nasir. I was a Philosophy student at Sussex from 2018 and graduated in 2021. One of my favourite things about studying Philosophy at Sussex was definitely the tutors, across all of my modules. The tutors showed an interest in all of the pupils that they were teaching, were passionate about the material, and also extremely engaging and fun.
And I think those three things really curated an environment where me and my peers felt safe to ask questions and problem solve and get things wrong, and tackle really complex issues. And I think I personally took some invaluable skills from my time at Sussex studying Philosophy, that of asking the right questions and thinking outside of the box, and these have been things that I've used not only in my postgraduate studies, but also my current role working in the Civil Service on government policy. And that's really thanks to the tutors I had at Sussex studying Philosophy.
Former Student 2 (Libby): My name is Libby. I graduated with a B.A. in Philosophy in 2023. I think what I enjoyed most about my time at Sussex was the really broad range of topics on offer, and equally, how accessible the department made tackling some pretty challenging and complex ideas. I'm hoping to study a Masters in Philosophy in September.
Former Student 3 (Jakub): Hello, my name is Jakub Kowaleski and I studied Philosophy at Sussex between 2010 and 2014. What I loved about studying Philosophy at Sussex was how diverse the curriculum was and how we were encouraged to engage with very different thinkers and traditions, and how supportive, and, helpful the staff were. Since completing my studies, I went to do a PhD and I'm currently working on a project supporting decarbonisation of religious institutions. And I find myself on a daily basis drawing on both the skills and the confidence I developed while studying Philosophy at Sussex.
Former Student 4 (Sofia): Hi, my name is Sofia. I studied Philosophy at Sussex and graduated in 2020. I’m now a paralegal and a bar course student. My favourite thing about studying at Sussex was how approachable the Philosophy department is.
Former Student 5 (Jess): Hi, I'm Jess. I studied Philosophy at Sussex from 2017 to 2020 and I really enjoyed the course. I felt like the classes were small enough that I got to know the professors and they got to know me, and I think that helped my learning. And there are lots of opportunities to get involved in the department. And I think it’s enriched me for the rest of my life.
Women in Philosophy
We’re subscribed to the British Philosophical Association and Society for Women in Philosophy (UK)’s Good Practice Scheme.
Running since 2014, the scheme assists UK philosophy departments, learned societies and journals to adopt policies and practices that help to combat the under-representation of women in philosophy.