Philosophy BA (Hons)

This programme aims to provide an understanding of a range of central philosophical debates, as well as an understanding of the history of philosophy (Ancient, Modern and contemporary). All major areas of philosophy are available for study, including moral and political philosophy, metaphysics, epistemology, and logic.

Your learning

Our teaching is based on lectures and seminars that complement each other. In your first year, you will be introduced to the basic elements of philosophical reasoning through lectures, seminars and small-group tutorial classes. In years two and three your chosen modules will be taught by an expert from within our department through a combination of lectures, related seminars and classes.

Assessment

Assessment is by a mixture of coursework (essays) and written examination. You may also elect to submit a dissertation as one of your optional modules.

Careers

This programme will assist you in constructing and assessing philosophical positions and arguments, thereby teaching you how to analyse and present complex ideas. Furthermore, it will provide you with an understanding of a wide range of traditional and contemporary philosophical theories. Such skills are transferable to non-philosophical contexts.

The discipline of philosophical training, and in particular its emphasis on rigorous argumentation, logic, and clarity of thought and expression, makes philosophy graduates highly suitable for a wide variety of careers.

Many recent UCL graduates have excelled in the legal profession, training as both solicitors and barristers, while others have entered publishing, journalism, finance, the civil service, Parliament, or 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.