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Philosophy

BA (Hons)

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:
October 2026
Study route:

  • Three years full-time, on campus


    UCAS code: V500

  • Four years part-time, on campus

  • Four years full-time, on campus with Foundation Year


    UCAS code: V501

  • Six years part-time, on campus with Foundation Year

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | On campus | with Foundation Year

Key information for 2027-28

Start date:
October 2027
Study route:

  • Three years full-time, on campus


    UCAS code: V500

  • Four years part-time, on campus

  • Four years full-time, on campus with Foundation Year


    UCAS code: V501

  • Six years part-time, on campus with Foundation Year

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | On campus | with Foundation Year

Course Overview

Birkbeck’s BA Philosophy gives you the chance to explore ancient answers and new perspectives on our place in the world. Join us as we explore questions such as: what makes something good or just? Is the human mind just a lump of grey matter? Why are democracies preferable to autocracies? Do we have free will? Does God exist? Who decides what counts as beautiful?

  • Why choose this course?
    • This philosophy degree is taught by some of the country’s leading researchers who are also passionate about teaching this subject.
    • We provide a welcoming and supportive academic learning environment, driven by a focus on collaboration, discussion and debate.
    • Studying in the heart of London means you can also take advantage of the philosophical stimulation and community brought by leading societies such as the Aristotelian Society, the Royal Institute of Philosophy, the London Aesthetics Forum and the London Mind Group.

  • What will I learn?

    On this course you will acquire central philosophical abilities through dedicated modules on logic or critical thinking. You will also gain a firm foundation in:

    • ethics
    • political philosophy
    • history of philosophy
    • metaphysics
    • epistemology.

    You will then be able to choose option modules that best suit your passions and interests, and you can elect to pursue a dissertation project with the support of a supervisor in your final year.

  • How will I learn?

    This course is taught through lectures followed by small-group discussion seminars. If you decide to undertake a dissertation you will also engage in multiple one-to-one tutorials with your supervisor. 

    You can study this course full- or part-time. You can also choose your own timetable for the core/compulsory modules selecting whether to study them in the daytime or the evening. Find out more about choosing your own timetable. Some option modules may also be available to study in the daytime, as well as the evening.

    Please note that Foundation Year classes are available in the evening only until you progress on to the main degree. 

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: One to two afternoons or evenings a week, October to July.

    Part-time: One to two afternoons or evenings a week, October to July.

  • Foundation Year

    If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study during an additional year (full-time) or two years (part-time) of supported study. This option is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.

    Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year studies, you will automatically advance onto the main full-time degree.

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More Highlights

  • Birkbeck is a leading centre for philosophical research in the UK. All of our established members of academic staff are active researchers.
  • We have a specialist philosophy library at 30 Russell Square. The main philosophy collection is held in the Birkbeck Library, which has an extensive range of books and online resources.
  • We are a member of the University of London’s Institute of Philosophy. Our students therefore belong to a large, intercollegiate community of philosophers, and are welcome at a range of seminars, lectures, talks and conferences.

Modules and Teaching

School of Historical Studies

The school is intensively interdisciplinary and its research and teaching covers every period from prehistory to the early twenty-first century.

Visit the school

Entry Requirements

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

  • Full-time study - how many UCAS points do I need?
    • Three years full-time: 112 points (e.g. A-levels BBC)
    • Four years full-time with Foundation Year: 48 points

    For full-time study on this course, you apply via UCAS. The UCAS tariff score applies if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a tariff calculator for you to work out what your qualification is worth.

  • Part-time study

    For part-time study our standard requirements are a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent.

  • Alternative entry routes

    Three years full-time or four years part-time: Access to Higher Education Diploma with a minimum of 15 credits achieved at Merit or Distinction in humanities or social science units. Holders of Birkbeck's Certificate of Higher Education in Philosophy may be considered for entry into the second year. Each case will be considered on its own merits by the school.

    Three years full-time: Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma - DMM

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

Clearing for 2026 is open
Apply now

Fees

Three years full-time, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Full-time home students: £9,790 per year
Full-time international students: £22,540 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Full-time home students: £10,050 per year
Full-time international students: £23,560 per year

Four years part-time, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Part-time home students: £7,335 per year
Part-time international students: £16,905 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Part-time home students: £7,530 per year
Part-time international students: £17,670 per year

Four years full-time, with Foundation Year, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Full-time home students, Year 1: £5,760 per year
Full-time international students, Year 1: £22,540 per year
Full-time home students, Year 2+: £9,790 per year
Full-time international students, Year 2+: £22,540 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Full-time home students, Year 1: £5,760 per year
Full-time international students, Year 1: £23,560 per year
Full-time home students, Year 2+: £10,050 per year
Full-time international students, Year 2+: £23,560 per year

Six years part-time, with Foundation Year, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Part-time home students, Year 1 and 2: £2,880 per year
Part-time international students, Year 1 and 2: £11,270 per year
Part-time home students, Year 3+: £7,335 per year
Part-time international students, Year 3+: £16,905 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Part-time home students, Year 1 and 2: £2,880 per year
Part-time international students, Year 1 and 2: £11,780 per year
Part-time home students, Year 3+: £7,530 per year
Part-time international students, Year 3+: £17,670 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see our Fees Policy.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

Our BA Philosophy provides you with a thorough grounding in the central areas of philosophy, while giving you highly transferable skills such as:

  • independent judgement
  • critical thought
  • the ability to analyse complex ideas and arguments.

Graduates can pursue career paths in education, research, politics and journalism. Possible professions include:

  • higher education lecturer
  • civil service fast streamer
  • local government officer
  • journalist.

See the British Philosophical Association for more information on careers for philosophy graduates.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student Support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to Apply

You apply via UCAS for our full-time undergraduate courses or directly to Birkbeck for our part-time undergraduate courses. For more detailed, step-by-step guidance on how to apply, visit our How to apply page.

  • How do I apply to study full-time (UCAS entry)?

    If you are applying for a full-time undergraduate course at Birkbeck you apply through UCAS. Use the Apply now button on this course page which will direct you to UCAS. There you will be prompted to sign in and create an account. You will have to give UCAS a few personal details, including your name, address and date of birth, and then you can start working on your application.

    The first UCAS deadline is in January, and the majority of university applications through UCAS are made by then. Find the exact deadline date on the UCAS website. We welcome applications outside of the UCAS deadlines, so you can still apply through UCAS after the January deadline, depending on the availability of places. We also take late applications via the UCAS Clearing system in August.

  • How do I apply to study part-time?

    If you are applying for a part-time undergraduate course (usually four or six years), you apply directly to Birkbeck online by using the Apply now button. You will need to prove your identity when you apply.

    Please note that online application opens in September.

  • When should I apply?

    You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places left, and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

    You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

  • How can I get help with my application?

    Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.

    Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.

  • International agents

    If you are an international agent applying to Birkbeck on behalf of an international student, please use Birkbeck's agent portal.

Related courses

Study routes for Philosophy (BA (Hons))

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Important: Applications to study part-time in 2027/28 will open in October 2026.

2026-27

Full-time

Part-time

2027-28

Full-time