Congratulations on your offer of a place at Bangor University
Congratulations on your offer to study one of our Philosophy, Ethics and Religion programmes here at Bangor University. We're thrilled to welcome you into our community. To help you get familiar with us before you begin in September, we've compiled some resources to address common questions and provide valuable information.
Stay connected with us on social media for the latest updates, news, and events. We look forward to meeting you soon and wish you all the best as you get ready for your studies.
What to expect as a Philosophy, Ethics and Religion student
Our courses are taught by world-leading academics and practitioners who are passionate about their subjects. You will learn from experts who are at the forefront of their fields, and you will have access to a wealth of resources to support your studies. Our dedicated team of academics are not just knowledgeable but also have a diverse range of expertise and passions.
We are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for all of our students. We have a dedicated team of staff who are here to help you with your studies and to make sure that you have a positive experience at Bangor.
In the School we frequently have pizza nights, quizzes and trips including a recent trip to the Christmas markets in Manchester so you'll have the opportunity to meet and socialise with staff and students from different disciplines within the school.
Watch our video
Hello, my name is Dr Joshua Andrews, and I want to congratulate you on receiving an offer to study Philosophy, Ethics and Religion with us at Bangor University.
As you may well know by now, we offer a bespoke course that allows you to tailor your degree around your interests.
Specialising in different areas such as continental philosophy, analytical philosophy, normative ethics, applied ethics or a whole host of different world religions Christianity,
Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Paganism, Jedi the list goes on and on.
I look forward to seeing you in September.
Frequently Asked Questions
In a typical week, our Philosophy, Ethics, and Religion students attend lectures and seminars addressing real-world issues through each discipline. Philosophy sessions tackle questions on freedom, personal identity, and justice; ethics classes explore topics like environmental responsibility, human rights, and medical ethics, including end-of-life care; and religion lectures examine how various faiths approach social justice, conflict resolution, and community welfare. From the ethics of artificial intelligence to religious perspectives on peacebuilding, you'll gain skills to thoughtfully engage with complex global challenges and the roles these disciplines play in shaping the world.
Each academic year is divided into two semesters, with students typically taking three modules per semester. You’ll attend two lectures and one seminar per module each week. This will typically be around 8-12 contact hours. Lectures cover key topics such as ethical dilemmas, philosophical theories, and religious perspectives. Seminars offer a chance to debate ideas, analyse real-world issues, and engage in group discussions. Additionally, you can arrange extra tutorials and supervision meetings for personalised support or to explore topics in more depth, helping you apply theories to current events and refine your critical thinking skills.
Graduates of Philosophy, Ethics, and Religion pursue a variety of exciting and diverse careers. Many become educators, teaching at schools or universities, while others work in law, human rights, or the public sector, advocating for social change. Careers in healthcare, where they provide ethical guidance, are also common, as well as roles in media, publishing, and journalism, where they communicate complex ideas. Some graduates work in business, government, or counselling, applying their critical thinking and ethical skills to influence policy, support individuals, and address societal challenges.
A Philosophy, Ethics, and Religion degree helps develop a broad range of transferable skills. You can enhance your critical thinking, learning to analyse complex arguments and assess different viewpoints. You can improve your communication skills, both written and verbal, through essays, presentations, and discussions. The degree also fosters problem-solving abilities, as you consider ethical dilemmas and philosophical questions. Research skills are honed through independent study and academic enquiry. Additionally, you can gain skills in empathy, cultural awareness, and ethical decision-making, all of which are valuable in diverse careers across sectors.
Our Philosophy, Ethics, and Religion degree offers unique flexibility, allowing you to specialise in Philosophy, Ethics, or Religion, or maintain a mix of all three. The programme features distinctive topics like Serial Killers, where you can explore ethical and philosophical theories through real-life cases. When looking at Applied Ethics, you'll set up think tanks to tackle contemporary issues such as bioethics and social justice. We look at Exorcisms delving into the religious, psychological, and ethical aspects of the practice. Assessment is based on varied assignments rather than exams, helping you develop transferable skills in critical thinking and communication.
Meet your lecturers
Dr Joshua Andrews
Transformative, diverse, enlightening.
One of the most fascinating studies I've come across is the exploration of ethics through the lens of comic book characters, particularly Batman and the Joker. This study is intriguing because it not only reveals how complex ethical frameworks can be, but also how they manifest in popular culture. Batman and the Joker represent two opposing moral philosophies, yet they both grapple with deep existential questions.
I was drawn to Philosophy, Ethics, and Religion because of its ability to tackle life’s biggest questions while remaining deeply connected to real-world issues. From a young age, I found myself fascinated by the "why" behind human beliefs, values, and actions. I wanted to understand not just what people do, but the reasoning and motivations that underpin their decisions. Philosophy offered a framework for this, allowing me to explore complex ideas about morality, existence, and meaning.
Ethics, in particular, stood out to me as both intellectually stimulating and profoundly practical. It’s a discipline that asks us to grapple with difficult questions—what is the right thing to do? How should we live?—and demands we apply those answers to the challenges of modern life. Religion added another layer of depth, revealing how diverse traditions and worldviews shape the way people approach these ethical and philosophical dilemmas.
What solidified my interest was the realisation that these subjects aren’t just about abstract thought; they’re tools for understanding humanity and addressing pressing global issues. Studying Philosophy, Ethics, and Religion felt like an invitation to explore ideas that could genuinely impact the world, and that sense of purpose continues to drive my passion today.
What I love most about teaching Philosophy, Ethics, and Religion is exploring how abstract ethical theories influence real-world decisions and actions. Philosophy often suffers from the misconception that it’s purely theoretical or detached from everyday concerns, but applied ethics challenges that view entirely.
Another aspect I value is the ever-evolving nature of applied ethics. As society changes, new ethical questions emerge, ensuring the material remains dynamic and relevant. Incorporating current events into our discussions keeps the classroom lively and helps students connect philosophical ideas to the world around them.
Dr Gareth Evans-Jones
Philosophy, Ethics and Religion are integral to human experiences in different ways, and I am very interested in how philosophical ideas, ethical tenets, and religious beliefs can affect people's behaviour and the nature of society.
There are always new things to learn. Whether lecturing about Plato or on the Bible or environmental ethics, there are always new ideas arising, and different ways of interpretation, understanding, and taking action. There is no 'sell-by-date' on Philosophy, Ethics and Religion!
It's hard to say exactly what the 'most interesting thing' is because there are so many interesting and varied topics. I truly consider it an immense privilege to be able to lecture on such diverse areas, from Paganism to Medieval Philosophy, from behavioural ethics to religion, conflict and peace, to environmentalism, Jesus in popular culture, and Humanism.
In the case of philosophy, one question that arises frequently is, 'what is philosophy?' And that, in all seriousness, is a philosophical question. Philosophy is essential to everything in the world - wherever a question, or a new idea, or a challenge arises, philosophy is at work - and it underpins every other field: medicine requires assessment, analysis and testing hypotheses; business requires taking stock, developing methods of action; the arts require the impact of presenting ideas in specific ways on audiences, to name just three areas.
In the case of religion, studying the religions of the world is so important - the major religions and those that have lasted a long time and the smaller religions, along with those that are currently growing. Doing so is important in order to understand cultural and viewpoint diversity in society, and develop a more tolerant approach. When studying religion, there are numerous jobs available, including in religious orders, the world of education, charity work, human resources, business, marketing, economics, the arts, politics, journalism, and many others.
