Why Philosophy?
The Philosophy B.A. programme in the Department of Philosophy supplies an academic grounding in the subject, as well as in the thought of important philosophers both past and present. By selecting appropriate modules, students may experience the thrill and frustration of grappling with profound and challenging issues first-hand, as well as learning how great philosophers have approached them. The philosophical skills developed in the process, including systematic critical thinking, sensitivity to opposing viewpoints, and the appreciation of complex systems of belief, can be applied to wide areas of life.
Message from our
Head of Department
Professor Qu Hsueh Ming joined the Philosophy Department at NUS in 2015. Previously, he received his Ph.D. from New York University, and completed his undergraduate and B.Phil. at Oxford University. He is originally from Malaysia. His research interest is Early Modern, primarily the scholarship of David Hume; he also has interests in Kant and Mary Shepherd. In this, as in all his other endeavors, he asks you to forgive him his failings, for he is only Humean after all.
Curriculum
Single Major [B.A. (Hons)]
Pass at least 60 MCs of PH modules or PH-recognised modules which include the following:
(1) GEX1015 Life, the Universe, and Everything
(2) GEX1014 Logic
(3) a minimum of 36 MCs at level-3000 or higher, with a minimum of 20 MCs at level-4000 or higher
(4) a maximum of 2 PH module at level-5000 (subject to department's approval)
(5) a maximum of 8 MCs of PH-recognised modules
Note: Students are allowed to read level-4000 modules subject to departmental approval.
*Please note that the change of Level 4000 modules from 5MC to 4MC for Cohort 2021 onwards is currently pending approval. More details will be provided at a later date.
Second Major
Pass at least 40 MCs of PH modules or PH-recognised modules which include the following:
(1) GEX1015 Life, the Universe, and Everything
(2) GEX1014 Logic
(3) a minimum of 16 MCs at level-3000 or higher
(4) a maximum of 8 MCs of PH-recognised modules
Note: Students are allowed to read level-4000 modules subject to departmental approval.
*Please note that the change of Level 4000 modules from 5MC to 4MC for Cohort 2021 onwards is currently pending approval. More details will be provided at a later date.
Minor
Pass at least 20 MCs of PH or PH-recognised modules, which include the following:
(1) GEX1015 Life, the Universe and Everything
(2) a minimum of 4 MCs at level-3000
(3) a maximum of 4 MCs of PH-recognised modules
A maximum of 8 MCs from the minor can be used to satisfy the requirements of a major or another minor.
*Please note that the change of Level 4000 modules from 5MC to 4MC for Cohort 2021 onwards is currently pending approval. More details will be provided at a later date.
View our module offerings for AY21/22 here.
Job Ready
The critical and analytical skills that students develop in studying Philosophy, as well as their knowledge of Asian philosophical traditions, allow them to do well in many career areas. Philosophy graduates have been recruited by such diverse organisations as The Straits Times, MediaCorp Pte Ltd, multinationals such as Shell and IBM, the Economic Development Board, Neptune Orient Lines, Singapore International Airlines, established commercial banks, and numerous divisions of the Civil Service.
Large organisations and employers value the evidence of independent thought, capacity for good writing & research, and flexible, integrative and critical thinking that an education in Philosophy provides. Last, but not least, the department provides ample opportunity for students who wish to pursue the subject at a higher level to do so. This may lead to a career in the research and teaching of Philosophy.
Why CHS?
The College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS) is the enhanced undergraduate experience for students of the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences (FASS) and the Faculty of Science (FOS) at the National University of Singapore.
Scale of Impact
Taps and builds on the research expertise of two of the largest and most established faculties in Singapore.
Deliberate Curriculum Curation
A distinct interdisciplinary approach that emphasises the ability to draw connections, discover links and connect insights across disciplines.
Unparalleled Flexibility
Offers greater choice and unparalleled flexibility to pursue breadth and depth from more than 1,000 modules per academic year.
Testimonials
Jerald Pan
Philosophy
Why study Philosophy?
Philosophy is super interesting! The thing about Philosophy is that we tackle very big and abstract questions. But these are questions that oftentimes, in daily life, we tend to take the answers for granted.
We usually think we already know the answers to these questions, but when we reflect on them, we find out that the answers are not as straightforward as they seem. One thing that people are often worried about is that there are no right answers in Philosophy, unlike in Science or Engineering. But to me, this is actually the best thing about Philosophy! As it turns out, a lot of what we think are the right answers may not be, once we start to really think about the questions themselves.
What do you intend to do after graduation?
I am one of the very few people who intend to go to graduate school after university to do a PhD in Philosophy. The field is extremely competitive, but I love the subject enough to want to devote my time and effort to it.
Jolly Cheong
Philosophy
Why study Philosophy?
Ever since I was young, I have always been fascinated by the many mysteries of life, the universe and everything. This cultivated a love for asking questions and seeking answers about many of these big questions. As such, towards the satisfaction my intellectual curiosity, I decided to major in philosophy. Doing philosophy has imparted upon me an invaluable intellectual toolkit that is useful in both academia and beyond: I have learnt how to unpack ideas, understand their strengths and weaknesses, and convey ideas to others in a clear and concise manner.
Professor Kishore Mahbubani
Distinguished Fellow at the Asia Research Institute (ARI), former Dean of LKY School of Public Policy, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and former Singapore Permanent Representative to the United Nations/Ambassador to the United States
Distinguished Arts and Social Sciences Award 2015
Philosophy '71
"I made the wisest decision of my life when I was 20. I decided to study philosophy. This gave me a huge competitive advantage for the rest of my life, in both diplomacy and academia. Philosophy taught me to keep an open mind, to challenge all established truths and to learn by engaging in constant arguments. These skills have enabled me to understand and explain the rapidly changing world we live in. If I had not studied philosophy, it is unlikely that I could have contributed as much as I have in the world of ideas. For all this, I will be eternally grateful to the Department of Philosophy of NUS."
Amanda Thian
Management Consulting Manager, Accenture
"I chose to major in Philosophy because it challenged me to think more critically and to examine the ‘Why’s and ‘How’s – a great asset in my workplace today as I help my clients identify the right business problems and solve them."
Tan Seng Chai
Chief Corporate and People Officer, CapitaLand Group
"It's a new normal we live in, and there are critical attributes the next-generation workforce must possess in order to thrive, including the willingness to learn, ability to innovate, and high adaptability. CapitaLand recognises this and proactively collaborates on opportunities that encourage the development of these traits. That is why we're supportive of the curriculum at NUS College of Humanities and Sciences. Its focus on interdisciplinary education coupled with experiential and problem-based learning will allow future-ready CHS graduates to handle a variety of workplace scenarios across different disciplines better, and put them in good stead to ride the waves of the future of work."
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