BA Philosophy
About this course
BA in Philosophy, a philosophy degree centred on the critical analysis of fundamental questions regarding existence, knowledge, and ethics. Core topics include Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. Students complete a final-year research project designed with an academic supervisor. The first year covers core ideas and historical approaches through compulsory modules such as Knowledge, Self and Reality, The Good, The Bad, The Right, The Wrong, Introduction to the History of Western Philosophy, and How to do Philosophy, alongside optional taster choices. The second year offers a range of thematic topics in moral philosophy, political philosophy, epistemology, metaphysics, modern philosophy, and formal logic. The final year allows students to select from an extensive range of advanced optional modules spanning bioethics, war, terror and justice, philosophy of sex and relationships, feminist philosophy, continental philosophy, Kant, philosophy of language, philosophy of modern physics, aesthetics and the philosophy of art, metaethics, philosophy of mind, philosophy of work and play, non-western philosophy, and history and philosophy of artificial intelligence.
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 EPQ: ABB plus grade A in the EPQ BTEC: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: DDD. Other BTEC qualifications are also considered. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information. IB: 35 points overall including 16 at Higher Level
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Real offers for this course
Applicants have posted 1 UCAS decision for BA Philosophy (V500) at the University of Leeds for 2027 entry so far. The published offer is AAB at A level.
What students say
Based on about 24 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 98%
- Learning opportunities: 83%
- Assessment and feedback: 79%
- Academic support: 98%
- Organisation and management: 87%
- Learning resources: 91%
- Student voice: 90%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 35 students who started
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 48 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 61%
- Working and studying: 14%
- Further study: 9%
- Unemployed: 8%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 19%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 9%
- Administrative occupations: 7%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 6%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 50%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 170 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 13%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 19%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 6%
- East of England: 6%
- London: 36%
- South East: 8%
- South West: 3%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 50 students who started
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Knowledge, Self and Reality
- The Good, The Bad, The Right, The Wrong
- Introduction to the History of Western Philosophy
- How to do Philosophy
- Introduction to Philosophy of Religion
- Philosophy Meets the World
- The Mind
- How Science Works
- Thinking About Race
- Research in Philosophy
- Do the Right Thing: Topics in Moral Philosophy
- How to Live Together: Topics in Political Philosophy
- How do you Know? Topics in Epistemology
- Reality Check: Topics in Metaphysics
- Past Thinkers: History of Modern Philosophy
- Universal Science: Topics in Formal Logic
- God, Thought and the World: Topics in Philosophy of Religion
- Why Trust Science? Topics in Philosophy of Science
- Bioethics
- War, Terror and Justice
- Philosophy of Sex and Relationships
- Feminist Philosophy
- Continental Philosophy
- Kant
- Philosophy of Language
- Philosophy of Modern Physics
- Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art
- Metaethics
- Philosophy of Mind
- Philosophy of Work and Play
- Non-Western Philosophy
- History and Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Philosophy at University of Leeds earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £26,500 after 3 years, £33,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,500 and £42,000. The £33,000 median after five years is £500 more than the UK median for Philosophy.
What do graduates of BA Philosophy at University of Leeds do next?
84% 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 Leeds?
98% 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 Leeds?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 35 points in the IB. The average entrant had 140 UCAS points.
Does BA Philosophy at University of Leeds include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Philosophy at University of Leeds?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.