Philosophy | www.essex.ac.uk/philosophy | E admit@essex.ac.uk | T +44 (0)1206 873666


Shortly after graduating, Sian was selected to join the graduate training scheme as an analyst with the investment bank JP Morgan in London.


I decided to study at the University of Essex because both the Departments of Philosophy and Government were highly


acclaimed for teaching and research. In addition, I found that I was offered a greater choice of modern and contemporary modules compared to other courses I had seen, which was of particular interest to me.


Sian Murray, BA Philosophy and Politics ’08, Ealing, London


Graduate profile


discussion is the lifeblood of philosophy, and we try to keep our classes as small as we can for this purpose.


For each full-year (30 credit) module, you normally have to write two 2,000-3,000 word essays. For each one-term (15 credit) module, you normally have to write one 2,000-3,000 word essay. The coursework counts for half of your assessment for the module, and an end-of-year examination makes up the other half. The marks for the coursework and examination are averaged to give your mark for the module.


In your second- and third-years, you may write an optional essay if you wish, in order to improve your coursework mark. You take the equivalent of four full-year modules in each of your second and third years, and the marks for these modules form the basis of your degree result.


I found settling into university life difficult to begin with, being away from my family home. Fortunately it was easy to make friends and I quickly relaxed in to university life. Taking advantage of what the Students’ Union had to offer was a great way to socialise, as there were many clubs and societies for all tastes. I particularly enjoyed serving as Co-President of the Amnesty International Society, in which


I represented Essex at two student and two national Amnesty conferences.


My degree was not directly related to the career I have pursued. Nevertheless, I found certain modules, such as Latin American Politics, prove useful in my current role. I believe the knowledge I acquired from the modules I studied at Essex gave me an edge over other candidates applying for the training scheme. It gave me a fresh perspective and confident approach that helped me to secure my place and succeed.


The time I spent at Essex proved to be a big challenge for me, but I managed to get through it successfully and I will always look back to my time at the University with many fond memories.


What is the Department


of Philosophy like? We are a friendly, informal and lively place, with nine full-time members of staff and a large number of undergraduate and postgraduate students. Lecturers will always be pleased to discuss your work with you outside of the classroom. We have a departmental common room which has wi-fi access, and a range of drinks, daily newspapers and some popular philosophy journals. There is also a well-organised student support system which will direct you to the best source of advice and support in the case of personal or academic difficulties.


You will be taught by open-minded and enthusiastic staff, who are experts in their field, and are concerned with developing your full academic and personal potential. There are also frequent seminars, mini-courses and conferences within the Department, with speakers drawn from the UK and abroad. These enable you


190 | Undergraduate Prospectus 2012


to expand your philosophical horizons beyond the modules you are taking for your course.


Career opportunities The study of philosophy will enable you to develop the skills of presenting a clearly formulated and coherent argument, analysing difficult written material, distinguishing the relevant from the irrelevant, and carrying out independent enquiry. These skills are fundamental to many kinds of working life (and much appreciated by employers).


Among the careers which our students have embarked on after completing their studies are: law, local administration, PR, graduate recruitment, project management, personnel work, journalism and the media, teaching in higher and further education, librarianship, the Civil Service, charity work, banking and the police. Others have gone on to further study, including the PGCE.


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