Studying Philosophy will expose you to the most important philosophical ideas, thinkers and frameworks – ancient and modern, western and eastern – enabling you to address contemporary problems in a globalised context. In a friendly and supportive environment, you will learn to master complex material and apply it to concrete problems, to develop cogent and clear arguments and present them in professional contexts. Philosophy at UCC has particular strengths in Comparative and East Asian Philosophy, as well as in Political Philosophy. Its greatest strength, however, is its commitment to pluralism, which combines these fields with research and teaching in Aesthetics, European Philosophy, Analytic Philosophy of Mind and Science, Analytic Metaphysics and Action Theory, as well as Moral Philosophy. The commitment to pluralism is coupled with an equally strong commitment to interdisciplinarity. Our staff also contribute to courses in Asian Studies, Film Studies, Women’s Studies and Philosophy of Science.

Critical thinking and clear, analytical writing are the most important skills students of philosophy will acquire. These skills have immediate practical applications in a range of professions, such as law, teaching, journalism, business and management. Figures from the UK show a growing demand by employers for philosophy graduates. The number of all graduates in full-time and part-time work six months after graduation has risen by 9% between 2002/03 and 2005/06; for philosophy graduates it has gone up by 13%. Philosophy graduates are most sought after in the fields of finance, health, social work and business.