BA Philosophy
About this course
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, a philosophy degree focusing on ethical, political, and historical dimensions of the discipline. The final year includes a philosophical project. The first year covers the foundations through Problems of Philosophy A, Problems of Philosophy B, Moral and Political Philosophy, and Philosopher's Toolkit A. The second year examines specific themes through Climate and Environmental Ethics, Elements of Metaphysics, Logic, and Philosophy of Mind and Language. The final year allows specialisation in advanced topics, featuring modules such as Nietzsche, Philosophy of Mathematics, Social Justice, and Just War, alongside the independent philosophical project.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A Level: AAB. IB: 6,6,5 in Higher level subjects plus 32 points overall.. BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma: DDD. Equivalents accepted, see below for full information.
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What students say
Based on about 26 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 95%
- Learning opportunities: 90%
- Assessment and feedback: 89%
- Academic support: 97%
- Organisation and management: 93%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 83%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 50 students who started
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 25 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 15%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 10%
- Sales occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 50%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 30%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 105 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 9%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 26%
- East of England: 11%
- London: 26%
- South East: 14%
- South West: 7%
- Wales: 2%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 40 students who started
- A levels: 90%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- Other qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Problems of Philosophy A
- Problems of Philosophy B
- Art of Persuasion A: Propaganda and Public Discourse
- Art of Persuasion B: Philosophical Texts
- Moral and Political Philosophy
- Philosophical Traditions
- Reasons to Believe
- Philosopher's Toolkit A
- Philosopher's Toolkit B
- Aesthetics through History
- Climate and Environmental Ethics
- Elements of Metaphysics
- Experience and Reason: Early Modern Philosophy
- Feminist Philosophy
- Logic
- Philosophy of Mental Health
- Philosophy of Mind and Language
- Science and Nature
- Sex, Ethics & Philosophy
- The Ethics of Killing
- Media in Practice
- Professional Skills
- Professional Skills – Freelance
- Sustainable Development: Climate, Culture, Society and Policy
- Philosophical Project
- Being Good and Doing Right: Issues in Contemporary Moral Theory
- Fake News: Social Media, Truth Verification and Digital Investigation
- Fantastic Beasts and How to Understand them: Topics in Philosophy of Biology
- It's About Time!
- Just War
- Nietzsche
- Philosophy of Mathematics
- Prejudice Race + Gender
- Reason and Belief
- Social Justice
- Topics in Philosophy of Religion
- Professional Skills
- Professional Skills - Freelance
- Sustainable Development: Climate, Culture, Society and Policy
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Philosophy at University of Birmingham earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £25,500 after 3 years, £32,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,500 and £42,000. The £32,000 median after five years is £500 less than the UK median for Philosophy.
What do graduates of BA Philosophy at University of Birmingham do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Philosophy at University of Birmingham?
95% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Philosophy at University of Birmingham?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 139 UCAS points.
Does BA Philosophy at University of Birmingham include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Philosophy at University of Birmingham?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.