Share This Page

Philosophy

Why study Philosophy?

This subject poses some of the most challenging questions that have ever been asked, underlying many of the most important questions confronting us today.

It will give you the opportunity to think deeply about the nature of God, the mind, knowledge and ethics whilst allowing you to develop important transferable skills which will help you become an independent learner and thinker.

On a more practical level, studying philosophy is an excellent route into both higher education and work. Many of our students go on to study philosophy and related subjects, such as PPE, at Oxbridge and Russell Group universities, and graduates regularly feature in the top undergraduate employment rates coming above other humanities subjects because of their ability to problem solve, think logically and laterally, and to formulate and express opinions. Philosophy graduates are found working for almost every type of employer in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, particularly the law, financial institutions and the creative industries.

You’ll listen to external speakers both in college and outside at different study days, and attend lectures, exhibitions and other events in and around London.

Course overview

Epistemology – What is knowledge? Can we get knowledge from our senses? Are we born with innate knowledge? What are the limits of knowledge?

Moral Philosophy - Utilitarianism, Kant’s Deontology, Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics, Meta ethics (are morals real facts or our values?), and Applied Ethics (stealing, lying, eating animals, and simulated killing).

Metaphysics of God – What is God? Cosmological, Ontological, and Design arguments for God, The problem of Evil, What is Religious Language?

Metaphysics of Mind - Dualist theories: property and substance dualism, & Physicalist theories: behaviourism, mind brain type identity theory, eliminative materialism and functionalism.

How is the course assessed?

Philosophy is assessed in two exams:

Paper 1) Epistemology and Moral Philosophy
Paper 2) Metaphysics of God and Metaphysics of Mind

There is no coursework.

What will I do in lessons?

Discussions, creative tasks, Q&A with visiting speakers, trips to conferences, and much more!

What Independent study will be expected?

You are expected to spend 5 hours a week consolidating your learning, preparing for assessments, and conducting further reading and research.

Exam Board

AQA

Link to specification

GCSE entry requirements:

5 in Mathematics required
6 in English Language required
6 in English Literature required

NB. Cannot be taken in combination with Religious Studies

What A Levels go well with this one?

All of them! Any subject where you have to understand an idea or construct an argument is informed by studying philosophy.

Many students interested in medicine consider Philosophy due to its focus on ethical issues. Law and philosophy share an interest in developing arguments to support a case.

It is also common to find students doing STEM subjects as logic is a huge part of philosophical systems.

What can I do beyond A Levels with this subject?

Philosophy teaches you problem solving, critical thinking and analytic skills. A lot of our students move on to study philosophy itself or law, international relations or sciences at university.

Those who choose to read philosophy at university move on to careers in the civil service, finance, journalism or do conversion courses in law.

Frequently asked questions

What is philosophy?

Philosophy means the love of wisdom; the study of philosophy involves examining fundamental questions about the nature of reality, what makes a person, what counts as a good action or the moral status of animals.

Does it matter if I’ve never done philosophy before?

Absolutely not! If you are interested in big philosophical and ethical debates and the history of ideas, this course is for you.

Are there debates and discussions?

Yes plenty; class discussions are a central part of the philosophy course and you will soon become an expert at discussing the validity of philosophical arguments!

Does it involve a lot of reading?

Yes, it does. You will need to be familiar with what philosophers have argued and different theories and arguments. Knowing what they have said will help you develop your own reasoning.

What can I do to get a better idea of the subject?

There are some really good introductory books to philosophy which will give a good idea of the subject: we recommend Julian Baggini’s 'The pig that wants to be eaten', or Warburton’s 'A little history of philosophy'

Back