COURSE CURRICULUM

The BA Art and Philosophy programme at the University of Reading is a four-year interdisciplinary degree that integrates studio-based artistic practice with rigorous study in philosophy, aiming to develop students as both creative practitioners and critical thinkers. In the first year, students are introduced to contemporary art through Art Studio modules, alongside foundational drawing skills and key philosophical training in reasoning, argumentation, and engagement with major philosophical texts, helping them build both practical and analytical foundations. The course encourages students to connect visual creativity with structured critical thinking, enabling them to evaluate ideas across art, language, ethics, and knowledge. As the degree progresses, students explore deeper philosophical areas such as ethics, aesthetics, epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, and global philosophical traditions, while also expanding their artistic practice through continued studio work, experimentation, and art historical study. Optional modules allow for specialization in areas such as radical philosophy, meaning of life, political philosophy, business ethics, and philosophy of religion, alongside interdisciplinary links to film and cultural studies. In the second year, students refine their independent thinking through modules that encourage debate on moral, political, and cultural issues, while also developing stronger curatorial and contextual awareness through art history and international study opportunities. The programme places strong emphasis on critical reflection, argument construction, and communication skills, ensuring students can articulate complex ideas clearly in both written and visual forms. In the final year, students undertake advanced studio practice and complete either a philosophy dissertation or independent learning project, demonstrating their ability to conduct sustained research and develop original arguments. Overall, the course prepares graduates for diverse careers by combining intellectual depth with creative flexibility, fostering skills in analysis, problem-solving, artistic expression, and philosophical inquiry, while encouraging students to form their own informed perspectives on fundamental questions about art, reality, ethics, and human existence.