Bachelor of Arts with Honours - Philosophy
Are killer drones immoral? What about genetic engineering? Should rich countries give substantially more in overseas aid? Are there objective moral truths? Does God exist? Could we survive death as computer uploads? What is consciousness? Can machines think? What is the difference between science and myth? Why do we enjoy art? Is time travel possible? These are a few of the questions that are studied in UC Philosophy classes.
Philosophy teaches you how to think about such questions rationally, carefully, and clearly. These skills are of real value in the workplace, and also when dealing with more theoretical aspects of other disciplines, including professional subjects such as Law, Nursing, and even Engineering.
The intellectual skills that Philosophy teaches lead to success in many different careers. Philosophy graduates are sought after by industry, government, education, and the financial sector. Many sectors increasingly require people who can think independently and creatively, write clearly, apply logic, solve abstract problems, and communicate precisely. This is what Philosophy students learn to do.
Internationally, Philosophy has been recognised as providing excellent preparation for careers in medicine, business, and law.
Recent UC graduates in Philosophy have become policy analysts, lawyers, web developers, teachers, environmental and sustainability advisors, research managers, popular science writers, claims analysts, video game designers, e-learning executives, engineers, film-makers, doctors, business analysts, publishers, editors, science journalists, software engineers, technical writers, university administrators, and university lecturers.
Campus Information
Ilam Campus
UC is based on the main Ilam campus in Christchurch, but we also have a number of other locations. These include Dovedale campus, Arts Centre, Nelson campus, and our field stations
Intakes
- Feb
- July
Application Processing Time in Days: 25
Application Process
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
All courses offer work-related experience (WRE) as part of your course. They're designed to prepare you for work in industries related to your studies.
Finding work experience shouldn't be difficult when you're a student at Canterbury Christ Church University. With strong connections across different industries, we provide a variety of different WRE opportunities. These can include:
mini or short-term placements
live projects
industry-set briefs
research.
You'll also be able to benefit from employability sessions as part of your course. These range from guest lectures, alumni visits, careers fairs, and location-based field trips.
There are plenty of other opportunities to gain valuable and relevant work experience outside your degree. Many of our teaching staff have strong connections with businesses and organisations, offering the possibility of gaining further work experience, internships, or placements.
You may even be eligible for some financial support via our Career Development Fund. Reaching your career goals should always be a possibility, so we ensure that you can do this regardless of your income. This fund can help you gain invaluable work experience without worrying about the cost. This can cover:
travel expenses
purchasing suitable workwear
ad-hoc childcare for the time you're working
specialist software needed to fulfil the role.
PSW Opportunity
- During study, all students on a student visa can work up to 20 hours per week during semester and full time during vacations.
- After completing Level 7 Bachelor’s Degree or Higher Qualification, a student will get a three years open post-study work visa.
- After completing Level 8 Post Graduate courses of 1 year, students get 1 year PSW.
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
Academic entry requirements
The academic entry requirements for admission to this qualification are:
1. Awarded GCE 'A' levels: at least three 'A' levels, with at least one at grade C or above (not including General Studies); or
2. Awarded International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 24 points and English as the language in any of:
- Language A: Literature (SL or HL).
- Language A: Language and Literature (SL or HL).
- Language B: (HL).
- Language B: (SL) will be accepted, provided a grade of 5 or higher is achieved.
SL = standard level. HL = higher level.
3. Awarded Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) A/AS levels:
- (i) minimum of 120 points on the NZ Tariff and
- (ii) a minimum grade of D or better in each of at least three subjects equivalent to those on the approved list (excluding Thinking Skills) and
- (iii) a minimum grade of E in any one of AS English Language, AS Literature in English or AS Language and Literature in English and
- (iv) a minimum grade of D in IGCSE Mathematics or D grade in GCSE Mathematics or any grade in AS Mathematics.
An overall average of 75% with a minimum of 60% in English in All-India Senior School Certificate or the Indian School Certificate; or an overall average of 80% with a minimum of 65% in English from one of the following three Indian State Board Year 12 qualifications:
- Tamil Nadu Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC);
- Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Higher (Secondary) School Certificate;
- Karnataka Pre-University Certificate; or one year of successful study towards an undergraduate degree at a recognized university in India
One year of successful study (B average / First Class / First Division) towards an undergraduate degree at a recognized university in India with a current NAAC accreditation of B or better;
- Completed a degree at a recognized university with a current NAAC accreditation of C or better.
For Honors Programs
Academic entry requirements
The academic entry requirements for admission to this qualification are:
- ² A qualification equivalent to a New Zealand university bachelor's degree with a minimum overall grade comparable to a B grade at UC and in a relevant subject area.
B grade is equivalent to an overall grade of:
% / GPA out of 10
Elite*
- 55 / 6.0
Section 1
- 60 / 6.5
Section 2
- 65 / 7.0
Section 3
- 70 / 7.5
*Elite universities of India; University of Delhi, University of Mumbai, University of Calcutta, Savitribai Phule Pune University (formerly the University of Pune), IITS, and NITS.
For India, UC uses the following percentage conversion: (GPA-0.5) x 10 = %
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Bachelors/UG Degree
- Duration: 01 Year
-
Total Tuition Fee:
35400 NZD
Average Cost of Living: 20000 NZD /year
Application Fee: N/A
Similar Programs
- Bachelor of Product Design (Digital Product Design) at University of Canterbury
- Bachelor of Arts with Honours at University of Canterbury
- Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Cinema Studies at University of Canterbury
- Bachelor of Music at University of Canterbury
- Bachelor of Fine Arts at University of Canterbury
- Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours at University of Canterbury

