Philosophy BA (Hons)
University of Bristol
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.1) View reviews

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Different course options
2 options available
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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

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Location

Main Site

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

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Duration

3 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 Years

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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

6 Years

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Subjects

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Philosophy
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A level
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Scottish Higher
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Scottish Advanced Higher
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Access to HE Diploma
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Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
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England
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Wales
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Northern Ireland
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EU
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Rest of World
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Course info

This course offers you both depth and breadth over three years of exciting and challenging study. Our students reach a high level of attainment and are well prepared for postgraduate study, both in philosophy and many other subjects.This course equips you with skills, including textual analysis, clear written and verbal expression, and critical thinking, that are valuable in a wide range of careers.In your first year, you will gain a grounding in the fundamentals of philosophy through two ...Read more

This course offers you both depth and breadth over three years of exciting and challenging study. Our students reach a high level of attainment and are well prepared for postgraduate study, both in philosophy and many other subjects.This course equips you with skills, including textual analysis, clear written and verbal expression, and critical thinking, that are valuable in a wide range of careers.In your first year, you will gain a grounding in the fundamentals of philosophy through two mandatory introductory units: one exploring issues in epistemology and metaphysics and the other concerning moral and political philosophy. You will also take units in critical thinking and logic and a choice of other units, which have recently included Readings in Value Theory and Knowledge and Reality. You may also take units outside the department in your first year.In your second year, you complete your foundation in philosophy with mandatory units and conduct more detailed study from ethics to the philosophy of language.In your final year, you may work for an independent study unit on almost any topic in philosophy, writing an extended essay in consultation with a supervisor. Final-year taught units relate to the research interests of staff in areas ranging from global justice to philosophy of physics.

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
86/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
13th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
16th
Philosophy
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 89 = 11% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
11%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
82%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Philosophy graduate salary at this uni
£22,000
UK Philosophy graduate salary
£21,000
What students say
L
Lucy
27 Feb 24

Student life is great, the nightlife and atmosphere is friendly and fun. The uni lectures are predominantly very interesting and explained well but the course is definitely..Read more

H
Harriet
27 Feb 24

Amazing city and nightlife, very social and easy to meet people. Great uni buildings, lots of great study spaces and places to chill with friends. The students union could be..Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

ABB - AAA Grades / Points required

Scottish Higher:

AAAAB Grades / Points required

Scottish Advanced Higher:

AA Grades / Points required

Access to HE Diploma:

D:30,M:15 Grades / Points required

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

32 - 36 Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

DDD Grades / Points required

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Standard offer: AAA .Contextual offer: ABB. Please visit: bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/entry-requirements-qualifications/contextual-offers/ for more information about contextual offers.

Standard Higher: AAAAB.

Advanced Higher: AA.

Access to HE Diploma in Humanities, Social Sciences, Law or History (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above.Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.

Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.

Standard offer: 36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level.Contextual offer: 32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level.Please visit: bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/entry-requirements-qualifications/contextual-offers/ for more information about contextual offers.

DDD in any Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma.

Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.

Popular A-level subjects

Philosophy

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

Psychology
40%
Mathematics
38%
Religious Studies & Theology
33%
English Literature
31%
Biology
26%
HESA

Tuition fees

Students living in

England

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from England

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Scotland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Wales

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Northern Ireland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Channel Islands

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£24,800 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£24,800 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

This is the fee you pay if you are an International student. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£24800 Per year

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Philosophy reviews

Philosophy
Philosophy
L
Lucy
27 Feb 24
Mathematics and Philosophy BSc (Hons)
Student life is great, the nightlife and atmosphere is friendly and fun. The uni lectures are predominantly very interesting and explained well but the course is definitely...
Read more
H
Harriet
27 Feb 24
Mathematics and Philosophy MSci (Hons)
Amazing city and nightlife, very social and easy to meet people. Great uni buildings, lots of great study spaces and places to chill with friends. The students union could be...
Read more
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How Philosophy students rated:

Student rating
( 4.0) 43 reviews
5 star
19%
4 stars
68%
3 stars
11%
2 stars
0%
1 star
2%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.1) 1,357 reviews
5 star
31%
4 stars
56%
3 stars
12%
2 stars
1%
1 star
0%
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Uni info

University of Bristol
Beacon House Queens Road Bristol BS8 1QU United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Clifton Down  0.2 miles away
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