Philosophy Subject regulations
Philosophy exposes and addresses problems, including ethical problems, problems about science, logical problems and problems about the nature of reality.
Philosophy is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Arts (BA), the Bachelor of Climate Change (BCC), and the Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc). Philosophy may also be taken as a second major or minor in other undergraduate degrees, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.
To complete Philosophy as a single major for the BA, BCC and BSocSc, students must gain 135 points from papers listed for Philosophy, including 105 points above 100 level, and 60 points above 200 level.
To complete Philosophy as part of a double major for the BA, BCC, BSocSc or other undergraduate degree, students must gain 120 points from papers listed for Philosophy, including 90 points above 100 level, and 45 points above 200 level.
To complete a minor in Philosophy, students must complete 60 points from the papers listed for the Philosophy major, including at least 30 points above 100 level.
Other qualifications
Prescriptions for:
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GradCert(Phil) and GradDip(Phil) A Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are available to graduates who have not included Philosophy at an advanced level in their first degree.
For further details, contact the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences Office.
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PGCert(Phil), PGDip(Phil), BA(Hons), BSocSc(Hons), MA and MSocSc To complete a BA(Hons) or BSocSc(Hons) in Philosophy, students must gain 120 points at 500 level, including at least 30 points in research and at least 30 points from papers listed for Philosophy.
The qualification regulations define the admission requirements for enrolment into the MA or MSocSc in Philosophy.
Completion requirements for the MA or MSocSc in Philosophy vary according to admission criteria:
Students admitted under a) above must complete 180 points from approved 500 level papers, including at least 45 points from the papers listed for the subject in List A: Advanced Study of the regulations for the MA or MSocSc . Within the 180 points students must also complete 鈥疉LPSS500 and PHILO588, and at least 45 points from the papers listed for the subject in List A: Advanced Study of the regulations for the MA or MSocSc.
Students admitted under b) above must complete 120 points from approved 500 level papers, including at least 45 points from the papers listed for the subject in List A: Advanced Study of the regulations for the MA or MSocSc.
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MPhil The Master of Philosophy is a one year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
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PhD The Doctor of Philosophy is a three year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
Philosophy papers
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
PHILO103
Critical Thinking
This paper helps students to engage critically with the sorts of arguments encountered both inside and outside the University. |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) & 26A (Online) & 26G (Online) |
|
PHILO106
Social and Moral Philosophy
An investigation of contemporary moral and social issues from a practical ethics perspective. Issues may include abortion, animal welfare... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) & 26A (Online) & 26A (Tauranga) |
|
PHILO150
The Big Questions: An Introduction to Philosophy
An introduction to philosophy that investigates a range of big questions. The big questions may include: does God exist?, does my morality apply to... |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) & 26B (Online) & 26B (Tauranga) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
LEGAL203
Jurisprudence
An analysis of legal theories and ideologies, emphasising different approaches to the meaning of law, examining the relationship between theory and... |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) & 26B (Tauranga) |
|
MAORI202
Ng膩 Iho Matua: M膩ori Philosophy
This paper examines the philosophical underpinnings of seminal tikanga M膩ori concepts, and their influence both historically and in contemporary... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
PHILO204
Liars, Frauds, and Fake News
Is language the seat of all knowledge and wisdom? The aim of this paper is to explore growing philosophical debates in epistemology and the... |
15 | 26H (Online) |
|
PHILO205
God, Spirituality, and the Afterlife
This paper analyses a range of conceptions of God (Ultimate reality), spirituality, and the afterlife in order to explore our place in the universe... |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) & 26B (Tauranga) |
|
PHILO215
Moral and Political Philosophy: A Historical Introduction
This paper introduces students to central issues in Moral and Political Philosophy, using texts from historical figures in philosophy to study... |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) |
|
PHILO217
Environmental Ethics
A study of ethical questions about the relation of humans to the rest of the natural world, including the attribution of value and rights to the... |
15 | 26H (Online) |
|
PHILO218
Business Ethics
A study of ethics as it relates to business and professional practice in New Zealand including material specifically for interest groups: eg computer... |
15 | 26G (Online) |
|
PHILO225
Happiness and Wellbeing
Drawing on ancient wisdom and modern science, this paper investigates the meaning and value of happiness, and the role it plays in making our lives... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) & 26A (Online) & 26A (Tauranga) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
EDSOC300
M膩ori Knowledge and Western Impacts in Education
This paper explores comparisons between key Western and M膩ori philosophies. It considers how M膩ori and Western philosophies respectively describe the... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
PHILO304
Truth, Bullshit, and the Global Community
This paper offers a global perspective on what truth is and why truth matters by examining ideas that come from Chinese, Indian, African... |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
PHILO305
Philosophy of Religion
According to the dominant conception of God in Western philosophy of religion, God is a person (without a body) who is omnipotent, omniscient, and... |
15 | 26A (Online) |
|
PHILO316
Philosophy and the Arts
The course examines philosophical questions to do with the nature and meaning of works of art, the appreciation and evaluation of them, and their... |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) |
|
PHILO317
Environmental Ethics
Do we have moral obligations toward nature? How should human beings treat the natural world? This paper examines questions such as these in light of... |
15 | 26H (Online) |
|
PHILO318
Ethics at Work
This is an applied ethics paper focussing on the professions, research and business. It examines contemporary issues relevant to a wide range of... |
15 | 26B (Online) & 26G (Online) |
|
PHILO390
Directed Study
This paper offers students an opportunity to undertake advanced research on a specific topic of philosophical interest. |
15 | 26X (Hamilton) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
ALPSS500
Academic and Professional Research and Writing
In this course, students will gain the skills and confidence to seamlessly transition from study to work. This course works to enhance the 'skills... |
30 | 26A (Online) & 26B (Online) |
|
ALPSS590
Directed Study
This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their... |
30 | 26X (Hamilton) |
|
ALPSS591
Research Project
A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 12,500 words maximum). |
30 | 26X (Hamilton) & 26X (Tauranga) |
|
ALPSS592
Dissertation
A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 25,000 words maximum). |
60 | 26X (Hamilton) & 26X (Tauranga) |
|
COMPX565
Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
Learn how the nature and use of AI can affect society. Discuss contemporary issues from how to innovate responsibly to whether AI will be the... |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) |
|
PHILO534
Reality and Language
This paper examines a range of contemporary philosophical work in metaphysics and the philosophy of language. |
15 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
PHILO545
Aesthetics
This paper covers a range of topics in contemporary aesthetics, including: What is art? What is the difference between art and craft? Are aesthetic... |
15 | 26B (Hamilton) |
|
PHILO560
Special Topic: Philosophy of Religion
According to the dominant conception of God in Western philosophy of religion, God is a person (without a body) who is omnipotent, omniscient, and... |
15 | 26A (Online) |
|
PHILO588
Foundations of Philosophical Research
In this paper we engage in focused analysis of a range of philosophical topics relevant to the research goals of students. The paper enhances... |
30 | 26A (Hamilton) |
|
PHILO590
Directed Study
This paper allows students to undertake research on a specific Philosophy topic related to their major under the guidance of academic staff. |
30 | 26X (Hamilton) |
|
PHILO593
Philosophy Thesis
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. |
90 | 26X (Hamilton) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
PHILO800
Philosophy MPhil Thesis
|
120 | 26X (Hamilton) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
PHILO900
Philosophy PhD Thesis
|
120 | 26I (Hamilton) & 26J (Hamilton) & 26K (Hamilton) & 26X (Hamilton) |
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PHILO103 Critical Thinking
This paper helps students to engage critically with the sorts of arguments encountered both inside and outside the University.
Points 15An investigation of contemporary moral and social issues from a practical ethics perspective. Issues may include abortion, animal welfare...
Points 15An introduction to philosophy that investigates a range of big questions. The big questions may include: does God exist?, does my morality apply to...
Points 15 -
LEGAL203 Jurisprudence
An analysis of legal theories and ideologies, emphasising different approaches to the meaning of law, examining the relationship between theory and...
Points 15This paper examines the philosophical underpinnings of seminal tikanga M膩ori concepts, and their influence both historically and in contemporary...
Points 15Is language the seat of all knowledge and wisdom? The aim of this paper is to explore growing philosophical debates in epistemology and the...
Points 15This paper analyses a range of conceptions of God (Ultimate reality), spirituality, and the afterlife in order to explore our place in the universe...
Points 15This paper introduces students to central issues in Moral and Political Philosophy, using texts from historical figures in philosophy to study...
Points 15A study of ethical questions about the relation of humans to the rest of the natural world, including the attribution of value and rights to the...
Points 15A study of ethics as it relates to business and professional practice in New Zealand including material specifically for interest groups: eg computer...
Points 15Drawing on ancient wisdom and modern science, this paper investigates the meaning and value of happiness, and the role it plays in making our lives...
Points 15 -
EDSOC300 M膩ori Knowledge and Western Impacts in Education
This paper explores comparisons between key Western and M膩ori philosophies. It considers how M膩ori and Western philosophies respectively describe the...
Points 15This paper offers a global perspective on what truth is and why truth matters by examining ideas that come from Chinese, Indian, African...
Points 15According to the dominant conception of God in Western philosophy of religion, God is a person (without a body) who is omnipotent, omniscient, and...
Points 15The course examines philosophical questions to do with the nature and meaning of works of art, the appreciation and evaluation of them, and their...
Points 15Do we have moral obligations toward nature? How should human beings treat the natural world? This paper examines questions such as these in light of...
Points 15This is an applied ethics paper focussing on the professions, research and business. It examines contemporary issues relevant to a wide range of...
Points 15This paper offers students an opportunity to undertake advanced research on a specific topic of philosophical interest.
Points 15 -
ALPSS500 Academic and Professional Research and Writing
In this course, students will gain the skills and confidence to seamlessly transition from study to work. This course works to enhance the 'skills...
Points 30This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their...
Points 30A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 12,500 words maximum).
Points 30A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 25,000 words maximum).
Points 60Learn how the nature and use of AI can affect society. Discuss contemporary issues from how to innovate responsibly to whether AI will be the...
Points 15This paper examines a range of contemporary philosophical work in metaphysics and the philosophy of language.
Points 15This paper covers a range of topics in contemporary aesthetics, including: What is art? What is the difference between art and craft? Are aesthetic...
Points 15According to the dominant conception of God in Western philosophy of religion, God is a person (without a body) who is omnipotent, omniscient, and...
Points 15In this paper we engage in focused analysis of a range of philosophical topics relevant to the research goals of students. The paper enhances...
Points 30This paper allows students to undertake research on a specific Philosophy topic related to their major under the guidance of academic staff.
Points 30An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
Points 90 -
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PHILO900 Philosophy PhD Thesis
Points 120
2026 Catalogue of Papers information current as of 15 Aug 2025 01:00am