BA Philosophy
About this course
BA in Philosophy, a philosophy degree focused on foundational reasoning, ethics, and contemporary debates. First-year study includes mandatory introductory units in epistemology, metaphysics, and moral and political philosophy, alongside logic and methods. Students complete foundation study in the second year and undertake an independent study unit through an extended essay in the final year. Course structure involves mandatory grounding units covering key philosophical traditions, reasoning methods, and advanced metaphysical and normative questions in the early stages. Students then select from a range of optional units exploring societal issues, interdisciplinary topics, civic engagement, and social philosophy. The final year centres on an independent research project supervised by department staff working across diverse specialisations.
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: AAA IB: 36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level BTEC: DDD in any Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma Find out more about BTEC entry requirements
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Real offers for this course
Applicants have posted 2 UCAS decisions for BA Philosophy (V500) at the University of Bristol for 2027 entry so far. The published offer is AAA at A level.
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 87%: 365 offers from 420 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 42 final-year students who answered
- Teaching on my course: 89%
- Learning opportunities: 83%
- Assessment and feedback: 71%
- Academic support: 87%
- Organisation and management: 76%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 75%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 65 students who started
- Continued on course: 98%
- Left higher education: 2%
What graduates do next
Based on about 11 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 40%
- Elementary occupations: 15%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Finance Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 55%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 120 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 60%
- South East: 9%
- South West: 18%
- Wales: 3%
Who gets in
Based on about 70 students who started
- A levels: 86%
- Baccalaureate: 6%
- Other HE qualification: 7%
- Other qualifications: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Philosophy at University of Bristol earn?
The median salary is £28,500 after 15 months, £26,500 after 3 years, £36,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,000 and £47,500. The £36,500 median after five years is £4,000 more than the UK median for Philosophy.
What do graduates of BA Philosophy at University of Bristol 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 Bristol?
89% 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 Bristol?
The typical offer is AAA at A level, or 36 points in the IB. The average entrant had 158 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Philosophy at University of Bristol?
87% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 365 offers from 420 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
How many students continue on BA Philosophy at University of Bristol?
98% of students continued into their second year, and 2% left higher education.