BA Philosophy
About this course
BA in Philosophy BA, a philosophy degree centred on examining fundamental questions through rigorous reasoning and critical thought. Core topics include Research Methods, Policy Analysis, Communication & Writing, Human Behaviour, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, and Social & Cultural Analysis. Students build arguments from classical roots to contemporary issues. The first year covers core areas through modules such as Writing Philosophy, Mind and World, Reason and Argument, and Ethics and Society, alongside optional choices including Religion, Reason and Reality and Death and Killing. The second year progresses with compulsory studies in Mind and Language, Ethics: From Theory to Practice, Knowing and Being, and Global History of Philosophy, while optional modules range from Formal Logic and Feminism to The Philosophy of AI and Robotics and Political Philosophy. The final year involves core independent research through Dissertation Project 2 and Communicating Philosophy, alongside diverse optional modules such as Global Justice, Phenomenology, Ancient Chinese Philosophy, and Philosophy of Law.
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: 34; 33, with B in a philosophy-based extended essay
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Real offers for this course
Applicants have posted 1 UCAS decision for BA Philosophy (V500) at the University of Sheffield for 2027 entry so far. The published offer is AAB at A level.
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 93%: 124 offers from 133 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 17 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 98%
- Learning opportunities: 84%
- Assessment and feedback: 66%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 73%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 73%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 40 students who started
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 11 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Further study: 10%
Most common jobs
- Sales occupations: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 15%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 10%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 105 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 3%
- North West: 15%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 17%
- East Midlands: 6%
- West Midlands: 6%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 29%
- South East: 11%
- South West: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Writing Philosophy
- Mind and World
- Reason and Argument
- Ethics and Society
- Religion, Reason and Reality
- Bodies, Sex and Desires
- Death and Killing
- Science, Medicine and Society
- History of Philosophy
- Mind and Language
- Ethics: From Theory to Practice
- Knowing and Being
- Global History of Philosophy
- Formal Logic
- Feminism
- The Philosophy of AI and Robotics
- Life Worth Living
- Philosophy of Education
- Religion and the Good Life
- Philosophy of the Arts
- Science and the Search for Reality
- Political Philosophy
- Social Justice Today
- Dissertation Project 2
- Communicating Philosophy
- Ethics and Belief
- Global Justice
- People, Organisations and Technology
- Memory and the Self
- The Science of Consciousness
- Phenomenology
- Free Will and Religion
- Work Place Learning
- Philosophy of Psychology
- Pain, Pleasure, and Emotions
- Bodies and Souls
- Plato's Symposium
- Language, Speakers and the World
- Political Resistance
- Moral Theory and Moral Psychology
- Ancient Chinese Philosophy
- Philosophy of Law
- Utopia, Reform and Democracy
- Feminist and Queer Studies in Religion
- Topics in Social Philosophy
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Philosophy at University of Sheffield earn?
The median salary is £29,000 after 15 months, £24,000 after 3 years, £32,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,000 and £40,000. The £32,500 median after five years is the same as the UK median for Philosophy.
What do graduates of BA Philosophy at University of Sheffield do next?
70% 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 Sheffield?
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 Sheffield?
The typical offer is AAB at A level. The average entrant had 141 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Philosophy at University of Sheffield?
93% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 124 offers from 133 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA Philosophy at University of Sheffield 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 University of Sheffield?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.