DEGREE GUIDE

Philosophy

What do Philosophy degrees involve?

Philosophy degrees teach you how to analyse complex ideas, question assumptions, and construct logical arguments about fundamental issues such as ethics, knowledge, and existence. You will study key areas such as moral philosophy, political philosophy, logic, metaphysics, and the philosophy of mind. These courses help you develop strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills while exploring how philosophical ideas shape society, science, and law. As you progress, you may specialise in areas such as existentialism, philosophy of language, or applied ethics. You will also gain hands-on experience through debates, analytical writing, and interdisciplinary projects, preparing you for careers in law, journalism, public policy, and academia.

Example
Modules

Ethics and Moral Philosophy: Explore how we decide what’s right or wrong by studying theories of justice, human rights and ethical reasoning. Debate how we should live and treat others in a complex world.

Political Philosophy: Examine theories of freedom, power and authority. Question what makes a just government, how to balance individual liberty with the common good, and what an ideal state might look like.

Common Degree Names

💼 Placement opportunities are available at some universities in education, public policy, or publishing.
🌍 Study abroad is widely available.

BA (Hons) Philosophy
BA (Hons) Philosophy and Ethics
BA (Hons) Philosophy and Politics
BA (Hons) Philosophy and English Literature
BA (Hons) Philosophy and Sociology

Level 3 (A-level / IB Diploma (HL) / Scottish Highers)

Philosophy teaches you to think rigorously about fundamental questions – from ethics and knowledge to logic and existence. There are no specific subject requirements because philosophical thinking can develop from many starting points. What universities really want to see is evidence of clear thinking, careful reasoning, and genuine curiosity about ideas.

Subjects that could strengthen your application:

Philosophy – helpful preparation, but not required or expected
Religious Studies – explores similar questions about ethics, meaning, and existence
English Literature or Language – develops analytical and essay-writing skills
History – builds skills in evaluating evidence and constructing arguments
Maths – useful for formal logic, which is part of many philosophy courses
Classical Civilisation – introduces ancient philosophical traditions
Politics, Psychology, or Sociology – develops critical thinking about human behaviour and society

✨ Any combination of essay-based or analytical subjects works well for Philosophy. Universities value the quality of your thinking and writing more than specific subjects.

Universities may also accept:

BTEC Extended Diplomas in essay-based subjects are most relevant. Some competitive universities require A-levels alongside
BTEC National Extended Certificates or National Diplomas alongside relevant A-Level subjects
IB Career-related Programme (IBCP) with at least two IB Higher Level subjects (ideally three) alongside your Career-Related Study — see above for IB subjects that could strengthen your application

Always check specific course requirements.

Level 2 Qualifications (GCSE or equivalent)

Most courses ask for:

GCSE English Language (or equivalent) – essential for this essay-based subject. Equivalents include Scottish National 5s, BTEC Level 2, or IB MYP certificates
GCSE Maths (or equivalent)

📋 Some universities require around five Level 2 qualifications. Strong English skills are particularly valued for philosophy.

💬 Interviews

Interviews are not usually required, but some universities may invite you for a short conversation, either online or in person, to learn more about your interest in the subject.

🔍 Work Experience

You don't need work experience to apply for Philosophy. If you have a school placement to fill, a citizens advice bureau, community mediation service, or any setting where you see people navigating complex ethical or practical decisions could give you something interesting to think about.

✨ Personal Statement Tips

What philosophical questions or ideas have captured your interest? Philosophy covers huge ground - from ethics and political philosophy to metaphysics, logic, and philosophy of mind. If you've found yourself drawn to questions about knowledge, existence, morality, or how we should live, think about what sparked that curiosity. Reading philosophy beyond your studies (whether introductions, classic texts, or contemporary thinkers), listening to philosophy podcasts, or noticing philosophical dimensions in everyday debates can show genuine engagement. Admissions tutors want to see you enjoy grappling with difficult questions and following arguments carefully, not just having opinions on big topics.

If your qualifications don't match the usual entry requirements, there are some other possibilities.

🌱 Foundation Year in Humanities or Social Sciences

Many universities offer a foundation year that can lead into Philosophy. This adds an extra year but provides a route in if you don't have the required subjects or grades.

🎓 Access to HE Diploma (Humanities or Social Science)

Widely accepted by universities offering Philosophy. Choose a pathway with essay-based and analytical units, and aim for Merits and Distinctions in your graded units.

Is this degree right for you?

Members can explore whether this degree fits who they are:

Skills you'd develop and whether they match your strengths
How this aligns with your interests, motivators and values
Career paths and where graduates end up

Start Your Journey → £3 a month

Full access to all self-discovery tools and guides. Cancel anytime.

Skills you would develop in X degree

Skill Name

Context sentence

Heading 6

I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.

Heading 6

I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy.

custom skills note goes here

Is this a good fit for you?

Use the tabs to explore the kind of person that this would be a good fit for. Do you share the Interests, Motivations, Values, Work identity and skills that people who thrive in this course tend to have?

Not sure what these things are? Explore your Identity Tree with us first.

Interests that connect well with a Philosophy degree

Students who enjoy this degree often share these interests. You don't need to feel strongly about all of them, and interests develop over time. If one or two catch your curiosity, or sound like something you'd like to know more about, that's a good sign.

Big Questions & Deep Thinking: The degree is built around asking fundamental questions. You'll tackle problems about the nature of reality, what we can truly know, how we should live, and what makes an argument valid, developing the skills to reason clearly about ideas that have occupied thinkers for centuries.

Fairness, Justice & Rights: Political philosophy and ethics are major branches of the degree. You'll study theories of justice, freedom, authority, and moral obligation, examining questions like what makes a society fair, when authority is legitimate, and how we decide what is right or wrong.

The Mind & Human Behaviour: Philosophy of mind is a substantial strand you can explore. You'll study consciousness, personal identity, free will, and the relationship between mind and body, engaging with questions about what it means to think, feel, and be aware from a philosophical perspective.

Students who thrive in a Philosophy degree are often motivated by

Analysing and Investigating

You're energised by making sense of information, looking for evidence, spotting patterns, and piecing together how things connect. Whether it's pulling apart data, questioning assumptions, or tracing a problem back to its source, you find energy in the process of understanding what's really going on. You'd rather dig into the details than accept things at face value.

Curiosity and Learning

You're energised by the activity of learning itself: diving into a subject you've never explored, watching documentaries, taking apart how something works, or constantly asking "why?" The process of learning gives you energy, not just the outcome. You don't just want the answer; you want to understand how things connect, why they matter, and what's underneath the surface explanation.

Influencing and Persuading

You're energised by convincing others of your ideas, selling a vision, or motivating people to take action. Whether it's through a well-crafted argument, a compelling presentation, or a one-to-one conversation, you find energy in changing someone's mind or getting buy-in for something you believe in. The challenge of working out what will actually land with this person, in this moment, is part of what makes it satisfying.

Intellectual Challenge

You're energised by pushing your mind to its limits, tackling difficult questions, and wrestling with problems that don't have easy answers. You're drawn to work that requires deep concentration and rigorous thinking. The harder the problem, the more satisfying it feels to work through it, and you'd rather be stretched than comfortable. Easy work bores you rather than relaxing you.

What makes Philosophy click for the students who love it?

They were never satisfied with 'because that's how it is'. They will turn a problem over for hours just because it has no obvious answer, picking at an argument until they find the point where the logic gives way. The questions they chase sit underneath everything: how we know what we know, what makes something right or wrong, what reality even is. And they argue both ways, building the best possible case for a view and then pulling it apart to see if it survives. The harder the question, the more it grips them.

These are the skills that students who love this degree tend to enjoy using. You don't need to be great at them already, but if they sound like you, that's a good sign.

Skill Name

Skills that suit this degree

You don't need to be great at these already — but if you enjoy using them or want to get better at them, that's a good sign.

Do you enjoy arguing through difficult questions carefully and logically — not just having opinions, but really testing whether they hold up?
Do you find yourself thinking about what's fair, what's right, or how people should treat each other — and wanting to dig deeper into why?
Does it matter to you that you can explain your thinking clearly and precisely — not just know what you think, but say exactly why?
Do you enjoy puzzling over tricky questions where the answer isn't straightforward and you have to reason your way through?

Careers a Philosophy degree could lead you to

Philosophy

What do Philosophy degrees involve?

Example Modules

Common Degree Names

Is this degree right for you?

Skills you would develop in X degree

Skill Name

Heading 6

Heading 6

Is this a good fit for you?

Careers a Philosophy degree could lead you to

Example
Modules