Philosophy and History

Philosophy and history are disciplines that approach some of the same questions from different directions. History asks what happened, why it happened, and what it meant: it examines the past through evidence, narrative and interpretation, training you to handle primary sources critically and to construct accounts of events that are both accurate and analytical. Philosophy asks what we can know, what we should value, and how we should reason: it examines the foundations of belief, argument and ethics, developing a rigour and clarity of thought that complements the empirical work of history.

At the University of Southampton you will follow a three-year programme that engages with some of the biggest questions that both disciplines raise, including the existence of God, the nature of morality, the possibility of objective ethical and political facts, and how we should think about global inequality and contemporary moral problems. Your history modules will take you across a range of periods, themes and regions, developing your ability to handle historical evidence, construct extended arguments and situate events within their broader contexts. The combination develops exceptionally strong skills in analysis, critical reading and written communication.

Philosophy and history graduates are among the most versatile in the arts and humanities. The ability to construct well-reasoned arguments, handle complex material, and write with clarity and precision is valued across an enormous range of careers: the civil service, law (with further training), journalism and media, publishing, education, policy research, the charity sector, and management are all common destinations. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in philosophy, history, law, politics, or education, building on the analytical foundations the undergraduate degree provides.

For students drawn to the fundamental questions about knowledge, value and the human past, this combination provides a rigorous and intellectually demanding home.