BA Philosophy
About this course
BA (Hons) in Philosophy, an undergraduate philosophy degree examining questions in ethics, knowledge, reality and mind. Core topics include research methods. The final year includes a compulsory dissertation on a topic of the student's choice, planned and written with guidance from an assigned supervisor. The curriculum spans Anglo-American analytic philosophy, Continental philosophy and traditions beyond the Western canon. The first year is fully compulsory, covering foundations through Ethics and Values, Knowledge, Minds and Reality, and The Philosophical Traditions. Reading Philosophy develops close study of primary texts, Science, Medicine and Society examines the history and philosophy of science and medicine, and Being Human: An Introduction to Post-Kantian Philosophy covers post-Kantian European thought. The second year pairs the compulsory Reading Philosophy: World Philosophies, which engages intellectual traditions beyond the Western canon, with optional modules. Level 2 options typically include Philosophy of Mind, Fundamentals of Logic, Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Science and Feminist Philosophy. The final year requires a Dissertation on a philosophical topic of the student's choice, written under the guidance of an assigned supervisor. Level 3 optional modules typically include Aesthetics, Formal and Philosophical Logic, Biomedical Ethics: Past and Present, and Philosophy, Climate Change and the Environment.
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 with 666 in higher level subjects.
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 49%: 130 offers from 265 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 18 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 89%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 81%
- Academic support: 86%
- Organisation and management: 68%
- Learning resources: 83%
- Student voice: 79%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 45 students who started
- Continued on course: 95%
What graduates do next
Based on about 15 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Teaching Professionals: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 15%
- Finance Professionals: 15%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 15%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 70 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 3%
- North West: 6%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 7%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 6%
- London: 59%
- South East: 13%
- South West: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 55 students who started
- A levels: 96%
- Access course: 4%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Ethics and Values
- Knowledge, Minds and Reality
- The Philosophical Traditions
- Reading Philosophy
- Science, Medicine and Society
- Being Human: An Introduction to Post-Kantian Philosophy
- Reading Philosophy: World Philosophies
- Example optional modules
- Dissertation
- Example optional modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Philosophy at Durham University earn?
The median salary is £34,000 after 15 months, £34,500 after 3 years, £46,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £32,000 and £67,000. The £46,500 median after five years is £14,000 more than the UK median for Philosophy.
What do graduates of BA Philosophy at Durham University do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Philosophy at Durham University?
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 Durham University?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 169 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Philosophy at Durham University?
49% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 130 offers from 265 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA Philosophy at Durham University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Philosophy at Durham University?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.