Philosophy with Japanese or Mandarin BA (Hons)

Philosophy explores and challenges the assumptions that frame the way we think, act and see the world around us. In learning a language, new cultures and different perspectives become accessible to you.

In your first year, you’ll start to learn your chosen language at a level determined by your previous experience of that language, and you’ll start to learn about aspects of the culture and lifestyle of the people of those countries in which that language is spoken. You can further your understanding of other countries’ cultures and customs by studying one of five languages – French, German, Japanese, Mandarin or Spanish. Having a language in your degree title gives you an immediate international edge, whilst also making you a more confident, capable and culturally aware graduate.

In your philosophy modules, you will be introduced to a variety of philosophical issues ranging from the nature of reality, knowledge and mind, to questions about how we should live, what we should value, and what would be the best way of organizing society. There is a module which explore philosophically interesting aspects of film and literature, as well as a module examining reasoning and persuasion and how that might be inflected by the language in which it is conveyed.

All our philosophy lecturers are active researchers, so you’ll share the excitement of doing original work in a supportive and highly-rated academic community. Our Philosophy team is in the top 15 in the Guardian League Table 2019 and rates as one of the 100 best Philosophy departments worldwide in the 2017 QS rankings.

Our languages team are consistently rated by students as being outstanding teachers.

In your second year, whilst continuing to learn your chosen language, you’ll be able to select areas of philosophy on which to focus, such as on influential works of philosophy, ethics, the philosophy of art, the philosophy of religion, metaphysics, knowledge, the philosophy of mind, and social and political philosophy. There is also a logic module, in which you could learn some languages of logic.

In your final year, as well as having more advanced language skills, you’ll also learn about the aspects of social, economic, cultural or historical perspectives of the countries in which your chosen language is spoken. You will delve deeper into more specialist areas of philosophy, perhaps focusing on the work of Aristotle, Nietzsche or Wittgenstein, or choosing from such areas as the philosophy of language and the philosophy of psychology, or from more social and political topics, such as feminist philosophy. There is also the possibility of embarking on your own piece of philosophical research on a topic of your choosing.