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BA (Hons.) - Philosophy
Program Details
The BA (Hons.) Philosophy program offers a rigorous and contemporary engagement with the world’s major philosophical traditions while equipping students with the analytical, ethical, and reflective capacities essential for the 21st century. Blending classical Indian and Western thought with emerging areas such as AI ethics, technology studies, and cognitive philosophy, the programme nurtures a deep understanding of human experience, reasoning, and values. Students learn not only to read and interpret complex ideas but to question assumptions, construct arguments, and apply philosophical insights to real-world challenges.
Transdisciplinary Learning
Anchored in the spirit of the National Education Policy (NEP), the philosophy course integrates insights from psychology, sociology, political science, technology, and environmental studies. Students explore how philosophical concepts intersect with these disciplines, enabling them to analyse contemporary issues from multiple perspectives. This transdisciplinary approach helps learners navigate complex social, ethical, and technological landscapes with clarity, empathy, and intellectual maturity.
Experiential Pedagogy
The program emphasises learning by doing. Beyond traditional lectures, students participate in philosophical labs, dialogue circles, case-based reasoning sessions, thought-experiment workshops, and practical ethics simulations. These experiential components help students internalize philosophical methods, sharpen critical thinking, and cultivate the confidence to articulate and defend their views. Internships, fieldwork, and community-based projects ensure that philosophy is practiced as a living, applied discipline rather than abstract theory.
Global Exposure
To prepare students for an interconnected world, the program offers opportunities for global exposure through international seminars, collaborative learning modules, visiting scholars, and study-abroad pathways. Students engage with global philosophical debates—from ethics and human rights to AI, culture, and climate justice—gaining perspectives that broaden their intellectual horizons. Such exposure enables graduates to participate meaningfully in cross-cultural dialogue and global academic or professional spaces.
Program Highlights
The BA (Hons.) Philosophy program is designed to combine intellectual depth with practical, real-world application
- A unique blend of disciplines in the BA (Hons.) Philosophy programme, integrating philosophy with psychology, sociology, cognitive science, and technology, enabling students to think beyond traditional boundaries.
- Hands-on experiential learning through Philosophy in Action, dialogue workshops, fieldwork, and real-world case studies that encourage students to actively practice philosophical thinking.
- Global and interdisciplinary curriculum spanning classical Indian texts, Western traditions, and contemporary debates, offering a well-rounded and globally relevant philosophical education.
- Strong research and application focus, where students develop analytical and research skills early, engage in internships, and graduate with a reflective portfolio showcasing their philosophical insights and applied work.
- Global exposure and academic engagement through interactions with international faculty, global seminars, and collaborative learning modules that broaden perspectives and cultural understanding.
Career Opportunities
A BA (Hons.) Philosophy degree develops exceptional skills in reasoning, communication, analysis, and ethical decision-making—abilities that are highly valued across professions. Graduates are well-equipped to pursue diverse career opportunities across sectors in the knowledge and digital economy. The program’s emphasis on transdisciplinary learning, real-world application, and reflective practice ensures that students are prepared for both traditional and emerging career avenues in the knowledge and digital economies.
Academia & Research
- Lecturer / Professor
- Research Scholar (PhD / MPhil)
- Academic Writer or Editor
Civil Services & Public Sector
- UPSC / State Civil Services
- Policy Analyst
- Public Administration roles
Technology & Ethics
- AI Ethics Specialist
- Data Governance Analyst
- Tech Policy Advisor
Communication, Media & Writing
- Journalist / Columnist
- Content Strategist
- Creative Writer / Script Analyst
- Communication Consultant
Corporate & Business Roles
- HR Specialist
- Corporate Trainer
- Organisational Ethics Advisor
- Strategic Analyst
Social Sector & Advocacy
- NGO / Social Impact Fellow
- Human Rights Worker
- Community Educator
Counselling & Well-being (with additional training)
- Counsellor
- Life Skills Facilitator
- Mindfulness / Well-being Coach
Fee Structure
Click here to view detailed fee structure for the BA (Hons.) Philosophy program.
Curriculum
Semester 1
| Course | Category |
|---|---|
| Data in Social Sciences and Humanities | Core/ Foundation |
| Ideas of India | Core/ Foundation |
| Gender and Society | Core/ Foundation |
| Environmental Studies | Core/ Foundation |
| Managing Self | Core/ School for Life |
| Introduction to Indian Philosophy-1 | Core |
Semester 2
| Course | Category |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Western Philosophy-1 | Core |
| Ethical Theories | Core |
| Introduction to Western Philosophy-2 | Core |
| Introduction to Indian Philosophy-2 | Core |
| Logic I: Basics of Reasoning & Argument | Core |
| Time & Priority Management | Core/ School for Life |
| Philosophy in Action | Core |
Semester 3
| Course | Category |
|---|---|
| Philosophy of Mind-1 | Core |
| Philosophy in Action | Core |
| Introduction to Western Philosophy-3 | Core |
| Introduction to Indian Philosophy-3 | Core |
| Logic 2: Basics of Reasoning & Argument | Core |
| Philosophy of Mind-2 | Core |
| Leading Conversations | Core/ School for Life |
| Exploratory 1 | Exploratory |
| Exploratory 2 | Exploratory |
| Political Philosophy | Elective |
| Philosophy of Education | Elective |
| Feminist Philosophy | Elective |
| Social Internship | Internship |
Semester 4
| Course | Category |
|---|---|
| Logic 3 | Core |
| Epistemology | Core |
| Metaphysics | Core |
| Philosophy in Action | Core |
| Writing with Impact | Core/ School for Life |
| Exploratory 3 | Exploratory |
| Exploratory 4 | Exploratory |
| Philosophy of Science | Elective |
| Philosophy of Management | Elective |
| Philosophy of Law | Elective |
Semester 5
| Course | Category |
|---|---|
| Philosophy of Religion | Core |
| Existentialism | Core |
| AI Ethics & Digital Society | Core |
| Philosophy in Action | Core |
| Leadership and Team Building | Core/ School for Life |
| Technologies of the Future | Core/ School for Life |
| Statitical Methods in Psychology III | Core |
| Exploratory 5 | Exploratory |
| Exploratory 6 | Exploratory |
| Popular Culture and Philosophy | Elective |
| Philosophy of Sports | Elective |
Semester 6
| Course | Category |
|---|---|
| Research & Writing Methods | Core |
| Writing The Research Protocol | Core |
| Ethics in Research | Core |
| Deepening Self | Core/ School for Life |
| Exploratory 7 | Exploratory |
| Exploratory 8 | Exploratory |
| Philosophy of Language | Elective |
| Classics in Philosophy | Elective |
| Regional Philosophies in India | Elective |
| World Philosophy | Elective |
| Post Humanism | Elective |
| Phenomenology | Elective |
| Environemental Philsophy | Elective |
| Philosophy of Health | Elective |
| Forensic Psychology | Elective |
Semester 7
| Course | Category |
|---|---|
| Research Proposal | Core |
| Internship/ Summer Scool/ Others/ Projects with other Philosophers | Internship |
Semester 8
| Course | Category |
|---|---|
| Dissertation | Dissertation |
Eligibility
Interested students must meet the following minimum eligibility criteria for the BA (Hons.) Philosophy program: Minimum 50% marks in Class X and XII (any stream).
Selection Criteria
Selection for admission to the BA (Hons.) Philosophy program at UPES School of Liberal Studies and Humanities is based on performance in CUET-UG and/or a Personal Interview.
Further Information
Enquiry Form
Frequently Asked Questions
BA Philosophy syllabus at UPES for the first year explores concepts such as ethical theories, Indian and Western philosophies, and reasoning and arguments. Along with these topics, BA Philosophy subjects also include common humanities topics such as Data in Social Sciences and Humanities, Ideas of India, Gender and Society, and Environmental Studies.
There are several benefits of pursuing a BA Philosophy degree, as it opens unique career options for graduates. You can pursue opportunities across sectors including law, public policy, academia, and media & communications. Additionally, The BA Philosophy course prepares students for analytical domains where critical thinking and ethical decision-making are required.
After completing a BA Philosophy degree course, students can pursue careers in several domains including public services, law, media, and corporate sectors. Some of the top jobs that students pursue include Research Scholar, Academic Writer, Policy Analyst, Journalist, Lawyer, etc.
Yes, BA Philosophy syllabus at UPES includes AI Ethics and Digital Society. The curriculum is designed to cater to modern needs and demands across industries. As AI integration continues to grow, it has raised important questions around AI ethics and data privacy, leading to the need for academic curriculum surrounding the same.
Yes, logic is an integral part of the BA Hons Philosophy curriculum and part of the syllabus. While philosophical ideas can be theoretical at large, logic and reasoning are an important part of philosophical studies. The BA Philosophy syllabus includes Logic as a core subject in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th semesters.
Philosophy in Action is a core subject incorporated in the BA Philosophy syllabus, which explores the real-world applications of philosophical concepts and principles. The subject presents philosophy as a living practice rather than just an academic subject or learning from BA philosophy books. Philosophy in Action mainly focuses on ethical behaviour, intentional living, and personal growth.
Graduates with a BA Philosophy degree have highly transferable abilities like persuasive communication, logical reasoning, and critical thinking. Graduates succeed in a variety of job pathways in law, public policy, business, media, and education because the degree is not specific to any one industry.
BA Philosophy subjects equip students with a range of skills including critical thinking, analytical skills, business ethics, research skills, and interpersonal skills. The BA Philosophy syllabus at UPES also takes into consideration the changing business and career dynamics and incorporates relevant technical skills such as AI and data analysis concepts in the curriculum.
BA Philosophy admissions and fee details are available on the official UPES college website, upes.ac.in. The complete 4-year course fee at UPES for BA Hons Philosophy may go up to ₹8,88,200/-. You can also contact toll-free number 1800-102-8737 or email at enrollments@upes.ac.in for any queries regarding the admission process.
After completing a BA Philosophy degree, many students prefer to pursue higher education in the same domain by pursuing a master’s degree in philosophy. Additionally, students can also join public services through UPSC or other state public service examinations. Other career options after BA in Philosophy include lawyer, policy analyst, journalist, etc.
Yes, the UPES BA Hons Philosophy program emphasizes hands-on learning and practical knowledge. The BA Philosophy syllabus includes a mandatory social internship in the 3rd semester. Additionally, the curriculum also includes summer school programs and projects with philosophers during the final year of the course.
The BA Philosophy program is standard 3-year duration. Students may opt for an additional 4th year to pursue the Honours/Research track, subject to eligibility criteria. Students are required to present a dissertation in the 4th year, which carries the entire credit for the semester.
Yes, to prepare students for an interconnected world, UPES's BA Hons Philosophy program provides options for global exposure, including international seminars, collaborative online learning modules, visiting academics, and possible study-abroad pathways. Additionally, the curriculum offers students the chance to work on projects with philosophers, giving them practical experience.
After completing the BA Philosophy course from UPES, students can pursue jobs in different sectors such as education, research, public services, social service, business, corporate, technology, and media & communications. Some of the top jobs available for BA Philosophy graduates include Research Scholar, Public Service Officer, Policy Advisor, Journalist, and more.