Philosophy and Politics

Philosophy and politics is a classic academic combination with deep roots and persistent relevance. Philosophy provides the analytical tools for examining the most fundamental questions of political life: what is justice, what are the grounds of political obligation, what rights should individuals have, when is violence legitimate, and what makes a political system legitimate or not? Politics grounds those philosophical questions in the empirical realities of how states, institutions, and political actors actually behave, providing the evidence against which philosophical theories must ultimately be tested.

Together they produce a graduate capable of both rigorous abstract argument and sophisticated empirical analysis.

At the University of Exeter, this three-year, full-time degree develops both capabilities in a programme with strong research connections across both departments. You will engage with the history of political philosophy from Plato to the present alongside contemporary political theory, while also studying empirical political science across comparative, international, and domestic dimensions. A year abroad is available, giving you the opportunity to study in a different political and academic environment.

The typical entry tariff of 168 points reflects strong academic expectations for a demanding dual-discipline programme.

Philosophy and politics graduates are found across an exceptionally wide range of careers. The civil service, political consultancy, think tanks, journalism, international organisations, the law, and academia are all common destinations. The combination of philosophical rigour and political analytical skill is particularly valued in policy roles, where the ability to reason carefully about normative questions alongside factual ones is a genuine advantage.

Many graduates also pursue postgraduate study in philosophy, politics, public policy, or international relations, and the degree provides an excellent foundation for doctoral research in either parent discipline or at their intersection.