Philosophy

Philosophy is concerned with some of the most fundamental questions it is possible to ask: what exists, what can we know, what is right, and how should we live? It is a discipline that proceeds through argument, requiring you to engage with ideas with rigour, to identify assumptions, and to test claims against the strongest objections available. The skills it develops, precise thinking, careful reading, and clear argumentative writing, are among the most transferable available at degree level, and the questions it addresses remain genuinely open and genuinely important.

At King's College London this three-year full-time BA will give you a deep knowledge of all areas of philosophy, from epistemology and metaphysics to ethics, political philosophy, and the philosophy of mind and language. You will engage with major figures in the history of philosophy, including Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Hume, and Kant, as well as with contemporary debates in analytic and continental traditions. The degree includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to study philosophy in a different academic and cultural environment, which can profoundly shift your perspective on the assumptions built into your own tradition.

The typical entry tariff of 168 points reflects the demanding nature of entry to a philosophy degree at King's.

You will develop the ability to read complex texts carefully, to construct and evaluate arguments, and to write with clarity and precision about difficult ideas. These capabilities are not specific to academic philosophy but translate into any professional context that requires clear thinking and effective communication.

Graduates of philosophy programmes go on to careers in law, the civil service, policy research, journalism, consulting, finance, technology, education, and the third sector. The analytical skills a philosophy degree develops are among the most broadly valued in the graduate job market. Postgraduate study in philosophy, law, politics, or related humanities fields is also a natural and common continuation.