Ten reasons to study Philosophy, Religion and Ethics at Sheffield

Ten reasons to study Philosophy, Religion and Ethics at Sheffield

1. Philosophy, Religion and Ethics are important and relevant subjects.

Philosophy and Ethics examine the most fundamental questions in life, and the study of Religion helps you to critically examine beliefs and traditions that inform such views, and shape people’s identity, ethnicity, and behaviour. It is empowering to be familiar with complex debates, weigh up evidence, and to be able to argue in defence of your own views. Combining these subjects is fascinating, and mutually enhancing, as philosophical knowledge will be useful in the study of religion, while awareness of religious beliefs and cultural diversity will contribute to your philosophical insights.

2. Taught by experts

Our academics have published dozens of books and hundreds of research articles in leading philosophy journals and edited collections. You will receive the highest quality education, informed by original research, no matter what particular areas interest you most. The Philosophy department currently has over 20 members of staff, all committed to the highest level of teaching excellence. You will also be taught by Sheffield’s leading scholars of Religion based in other departments, who examine religion from a wide variety of academic perspectives including History, Islamic Studies, Literary studies, Cultural Studies, Gender Studies, Social Science, and Philosophy of Religion. You will be able to attend research seminars and events in the study of religion, such as those hosted by the Sheffield Institute for Biblical Studies (SIIBS).

3. Investment in learning and teaching excellence.

In addition to research excellence, the University of Sheffield is committed to ensuring that all students get the best possible education and career preparation, and invests in pedagogical research and innovation. The University Senate recognises learning and teaching excellence, and a number of academics teaching on the Philosophy, Religion and Ethics degree have received awards for pedagogical excellence or innovation, in curriculum development or assessment. You will also benefit from central support services focused on improving your academic skills and helping you to achieve your full potential.

4. Wide range of choice.

You will have the flexibility to focus on the topics in Philosophy, Religion, and Ethics that matter most to you. We offer a wide range of Philosophy and Ethics modules with both historical and contemporary focus, including specialist modules developed by Sheffield philosophers based on their cutting-edge scholarship. Philosophy of Religion - and interdisciplinary modules in religious studies, history and literature - also include both foundational modules as well as pioneering courses that examine religion and contemporary issues.

5. Design your own degree programme

Our Philosophy, Religion and Ethics degree offers enormous flexibility, giving you a chance to study with Philosophers and experts on Religion in other departments. Our assessments are diverse and help you to develop a great range of skills, as you could prepare presentations, portfolios, and academic posters. You can also do ethnography, creative media projects, and digital assessments, and learn to communicate effectively. In your final year you have a chance to do a dissertation on a topic of your choice, supervised by one of our academics. Many dissertations explore students’ favourite topics further, or examine subjects related to their career interests, or to postgraduate studies they want to pursue. 

6. A supportive environment.

We care about our students. Each student has a Personal Advisor in the Department throughout their degree, offering support in both academic and pastoral areas, such as helping you with module choice, reviewing your progress, and helping you to improve. We offer students the option of having a Philosophy Mentor, a student from the second or third year, to advise you during your first year at University. Our modules provide opportunities for discussion in small tutorial groups, or seminars. All our academics have weekly office hours when a student can have one-to-one meetings with their lecturers. And staff meet regularly with student representatives to listen to student concerns and get your perspectives on departmental policies, or programme development.

7. A chance to study abroad.

You have the opportunity to study abroad during your degree, choosing to take a year or a semester in another country rather than in Sheffield. We have study abroad programmes available with over 30 Universities in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, Singapore and the United States, as well as several universities in continental Europe. And if you take philosophy as a dual with Modern Languages and Cultures, you will spend an additional year abroad anyway as part of your degree.

8. An active community of students.

We are proud of the various projects that our students have set up on their own initiative. One of the most successful is Philosophy in the City, formed in 2006 by undergraduates wanting to start their own programme of teaching philosophy in local schools, particularly those in underprivileged areas. This award winning programme continues to flourish and has expanded to include work with young persons’ homeless shelters and probation hostels. And that’s not to mention the extremely active Student Philosophy Society; the Philosophy sports teams; the student-organised philosophy summer ball; the undergraduate conference; and the Undergraduate Philosophy Journal, PhilonoUS, set up and edited by our students.

9. A top University in a fantastic place to live.

There is more to university life than academic study. You will also want to be at a university with lots of extracurricular options, and in this respect you simply can’t do better than Sheffield. Sheffield Students' Union has repeatedly been voted no. 1 in the UK by Whatuni Student Choice Awards. With over 200 student societies, the Union offers something for all interests and hobbies, and helps make Sheffield one of the best places to study in the UK. Sheffield itself combines the benefits of a big city with the friendliness of a small town. There is a very active music and theatre scene, great shopping and cinema, fantastic nightlife, as well as vibrant churches, and faith communities. The Peak District offers great walks, climbing, or outdoor sports. Sheffield also has a low cost of living and is regarded as one of England’s safest major cities.

10. Excellent career prospects.

In the course of your degree you will learn to argue and think clearly, to analyse complex issues carefully and to communicate your ideas in an articulate and accessible manner. You will also develop cultural agility and understanding of contemporary issues and global diversity of cultures. Philosophy graduates thrive in a range of careers, including teaching, law, civil services, journalism, publishing, charities, advertising, investment and local government. We offer career advice and guidance throughout your degree, both within the Department and through the University’s excellent Careers Service.

Watch: the impact of studying Philosophy, Religion and Ethics

Watch Philosophy, Religion and Ethics lecturers Casey Strine and Josh Forstenzer discuss the 'good life' in this video taken at the Pedagogy of the Good Life Workshop at Yale Divinity School. This highlights one of the many contributions by the members of the department to international debate about teaching, and innovations that develop Higher Education Pedagogy.