Philosophy

What would I study and how do courses differ?

Why should I be governed and what is the best political structure? Is something good because we think it is good, or do we think it is good because it is? Can we talk meaningfully about God and things of which we cannot have any empirically experience? What is a good argument? Is knowledge a justified true belief? In order for us to know something, must we also necessarily know that we know it? Is there a difference between the mind and the brain? Do the theories of the natural sciences get closer and closer to uncovering the truth, or is there no mind-independent truth to be uncovered? What is the relationship between language and the world? What is the relationship between the perceiver and the perceived? How do we know that we are not in the Matrix? What is justice? Philosophy asks a legion of questions which are most often pigeonholed into the disciplines of: Epistemology, Metaphysics, Ethics, and Logic

The arguments of past philosophers will form a point of entry into most philosophical problems and you can be expected to read at least one ancient philosopher (Plato or Aristotle) along with Descartes, Locke, Hume, and Kant during your first years, in which The History of Philosophy will form part of the core syllabus.

Questions of how language and reality hang together are often raised in the second or third year and you can be expected to read some Russell or Wittgenstein.

Many students study Philosophy as part of a Joint Honours degree together with a very wide range of other subjects such as Economics, Politics (see the entry on PPE), Mathematics, French, German, Italian, Classics, War Studies, Physics, Computer Science, History of Art, Linguistics, Management, and Psychology (this list is not exhaustive).

Oxford, unlike Cambridge, offers Philosophy only as part of a Joint Honours programme.

If you do a Single Honours degree in Philosophy, you will gain a BA, but if you do Philosophy as part of a degree where Science forms a substantial part, you might gain a BSc.

What are the typical entry requirements?

Entry requirement for UCL, KCL, Bristol, and Durham is AAA. Cambridge requires A*AA. Oxford requires AAA. Warwick, Nottingham, and Birmingham typically want AAB. Manchester and Leeds require ABB.

Are there any essential or recommended A Levels?

In short ‘no’!

However, you need to demonstrate an interest in and understanding of philosophical problems, so studying Philosophy at A Level might in that respect be advantageous.

Furthermore, if you wish to do a joint degree there will typically be specific subject requirements (i.e. if you wish to study Philosophy and Mathematics you will be required to have studied Mathematics to A Level)

Which are the best universities for Philosophy?

The most competitive UK universities are Cambridge, Oxford, KCL, UCL, Bristol, Warwick, and Durham, but that is not to say that you could not get as “good” a degree from York, Leeds, Sheffield, Birkbeck, or Reading.

Is there any special advice for Oxbridge applicants?

As stated above, Cambridge offers a Single Honours BA degree in Philosophy whereas Oxford offers Philosophy as part of a Joint Honours degree only.

Both universities are fiercely competitive and you will need to demonstrate interest, engagement, and aptitude for the subject. This typically means that you will need to read and analyse philosophical books independently (see below).

For Oxford, you will need to sit the TSA – the Thinking Skills Assessment – for PPE (Philosophy, Politics, & Economics), Psychology & Philosophy, and Philosophy & Linguistics.

You do not need to take the TSA for Cambridge Single Honours Philosophy.

What is important for my personal statement or interview?

You will need to demonstrate interest, engagement, and aptitude for the subject. This typically means that you will need to read and analyse philosophical books independently and include a discussion of what you have read in your personal statement. It is not enough to tell the Admissions Tutor what you have read. You will need to demonstrate your skill by showing the Admissions Tutor what you have got out of reading the books. In effect, you will need to assess a given line of thought or an argument, and be ready to reflect on it in the interview.

Do I need work experience?

You do not need work experience for Single Honours Philosophy.

Which jobs can I do with Philosophy?

Universities have become better at publishing what their graduates do. UCL reports that “Many recent Philosophy graduates have excelled in the legal profession, training as both solicitors and barristers, while others have entered publishing, journalism, the Civil Service and local government. Philosophy graduates are also sought after as programmers and systems analysts. A high proportion of students go on to further study in Philosophy, both in this country and overseas. Notable graduates of the department include Jonathan Dimbleby, novelist Ken Follett and comedian Ricky Gervais.”