Studies & Degrees in Philosophy
Philosophy Study Programs
Philosophy, from the Greek for "love of wisdom", is the study of the most general questions people ask: what exists, what we can know, how we should live and what makes an argument good. Ghent University introduces its programme with two of them: when can we say that we actually know something, and are all value judgements always subjective? The University of Aberdeen describes the subject as applying reasoning and argument to questions such as "what is knowledge?" and "what is truth?".
A philosophy degree combines two things. One is history: reading the major texts from antiquity to the present and learning to take a position on that tradition. The other is method: logic, clear writing and the habit of testing every claim. The core requirements of the philosophy major at Stanford University give a fair picture of the usual areas:
- logic
- philosophy of science
- moral and political philosophy
- contemporary theoretical philosophy, such as the theory of knowledge and metaphysics
- history of philosophy, from Greek philosophy to the modern period from Descartes to Kant
Qualifications and levels
Philosophy is a university subject at every level, and the length of the degree depends on the country.
- Spain: the bachelor's degree (grado) has 240 ECTS credits, normally four years. Official master's degrees have 60, 90 or 120 credits and lead on to the doctorate. The Grado en Filosofía of the Universidad de Navarra, for example, is an official degree of 240 credits and four years, taught on campus in Spanish in Pamplona, with 60 places
- Belgium: at Ghent University the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy takes three years and 180 credits and the Master of Arts one year and 60 credits, both in Dutch. The Research Master of Arts in Philosophy takes two years and 120 credits and is taught in English
- Scotland: the undergraduate degree is an MA that takes four years. At the University of Aberdeen, the joint degree in Anthropology and Philosophy lasts 48 months
- United States: philosophy is a major within a four-year bachelor's degree. At Stanford the B.A. major requires a minimum of 60 units and the M.A. a minimum of 45 units in philosophy, followed for some by the Ph.D.
In the European system, 60 ECTS credits correspond to one full year of study, and a bachelor's degree has 180 or 240 credits. Philosophy also combines well with other subjects. The Universidad de Navarra offers double degrees with Derecho (law) and with Periodismo (journalism), Aberdeen pairs it with anthropology, and Stanford has concentrations in philosophy and literature and in the history and philosophy of science.
Where to study it
SpainExchange lists 423 schools that teach philosophy. The United States has the most (174), followed by the United Kingdom (33), Spain (31), Germany (19) and Canada (18). Brazil and France have 9 each, Australia 7, and China, Argentina, Belgium and Chile 6 each.
The language of instruction usually follows the country, and this matters more in philosophy than in most subjects, because the work consists of close reading, discussion and essay writing. Expect English in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, and Spanish in Spain, Argentina and Chile. Elsewhere, check each programme: at Ghent the bachelor's is in Dutch while the research master's is in English. Ask each school which language certificate and level it requires.
Careers
The route that uses the subject most directly is teaching and research. University teaching normally requires a doctorate: the US Bureau of Labor Statistics states that postsecondary teachers typically must have a Ph.D. It counted 26,800 postsecondary teachers of philosophy and religion in 2025 and projects 27,300 in 2035, growth of 2 percent, against 7 percent for postsecondary teachers as a whole. Doctoral programmes take several years; at Stanford the Ph.D. includes at least five quarters as a teaching assistant.
In Spain, teaching philosophy in secondary school is a regulated profession. After the degree it requires an official master's degree in teacher training of 60 ECTS credits.
Most graduates work outside philosophy. The degree trains people to read difficult material, argue a case and write clearly, which is why it has long been used as preparation for law and is common in publishing, journalism, public administration and business. Aberdeen tells applicants that the skills they develop will let them choose a career in any area of business or other sectors; that is the university's own claim. Official statistics do not track philosophy graduates as a separate occupation.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a philosophy degree take?
Four years and 240 ECTS credits in Spain, four years in Scotland and the United States, and three years and 180 credits at Ghent University in Belgium. A master's adds one or two years.
What do you study in a philosophy degree?
The history of philosophy from antiquity to the present, logic, ethics and political philosophy, the theory of knowledge and the philosophy of science, plus optional courses and usually a final project or seminar.
Can I study philosophy in English in continental Europe?
Some programmes are taught in English, mostly at master's level. Ghent University's two-year Research Master of Arts in Philosophy is one example. Many bachelor's degrees are taught in the national language.
Can I become a secondary school teacher with a philosophy degree?
In Spain you also need the official master's degree in teacher training, which has 60 ECTS credits. Other countries have their own teaching qualifications.