Philosophy Schools and Programs in The United Kingdom

Philosophy Studies in The United Kingdom

Philosophy in the United Kingdom is taught as a single honours degree, normally a BA, and very often in combination with another subject. Students apply directly to the philosophy degree and study it from the first year. This directory lists 33 schools in the UK that teach philosophy, 5 of them in London and 2 each in Oxford, Edinburgh, Manchester and Canterbury.

How the degree is organised

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the bachelor's degree with honours takes three years of full-time study. The Philosophy BA at Lancaster University, The University of Sheffield, Newcastle University, the University of Sussex and King's College London all last three years and share the UCAS code V500. On the official framework, a bachelor's degree with honours is a level 6 qualification.

In Scotland, degree-level study usually requires four years, and the undergraduate degree can carry the title Master of Arts. The MA (Hons) in Philosophy at the University of St Andrews is a four-year undergraduate course: in the first two years students take philosophy modules alongside modules in at least one other subject, and in the fourth year they may write a 7,500-word dissertation. Applicants should not confuse this degree with a postgraduate master's.

What students learn

The first year gives a grounding in the main branches of the subject. At Lancaster, first-year students study ethics, critical thinking and logic, metaphysics, epistemology and the history of philosophy. Formal logic is part of most degrees: King's College London teaches propositional and predicate logic to detect valid and invalid arguments, and Sheffield includes a basic introduction to formal logic among its first-year modules. In later years students choose from optional modules and may write a dissertation, as at St Andrews.

Two options change the length or shape of the degree:

• Joint degrees: philosophy is combined with subjects from the humanities, social sciences and sciences. King's College London, for example, lists a Physics & Philosophy BSc among its related courses.
• Year abroad or in employment: the University of Southampton offers its three-year Philosophy BA also as Philosophy With A Year Abroad (UCAS code V501).

Admission and language

Applications for undergraduate degrees go through UCAS, with a maximum of five choices. For 2027 entry the equal consideration date for most courses is 13 January 2027 at 18:00 UK time; for the universities of Oxford and Cambridge it is 15 October.

Each university sets its own entry requirements. Typical A-level offers for 2027 are ABB-BBB at Sussex, ABB at Lancaster and Southampton, AAB at Sheffield and St Andrews, and AAA at King's College London. UCAS notes that many course providers accept international qualifications equivalent to UK requirements, and that UK ENIC can issue a statement comparing a foreign qualification with UK ones.

Applicants whose first language is not English need a language certificate. Sussex asks for IELTS 6.0 overall, Lancaster for 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component, and Sheffield for 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component. For the Student visa, study at degree level requires English equivalent to CEFR level B2.

Fees and visa

Fees depend on fee status. Published international fees for the first year are £24,200 at Sussex, £25,350 at Newcastle (2027 entry), £26,300 at Lancaster (2027-28) and £34,910 at St Andrews. Home students pay £10,050 at Lancaster, Newcastle and Sussex.

International students normally need a Student visa. According to GOV.UK (checked in October 2026), the applicant needs a place offered by a licensed student sponsor, the application costs £558 from outside the UK, and the applicant must show £1,529 per month for courses in London or £1,171 per month elsewhere, for up to nine months. After the degree, the Graduate visa lasts 2 years if the application is made on or before 31 December 2026, and 18 months from 1 January 2027.

Postgraduate study and careers

A taught master's degree normally takes one year. The Philosophy MA at Sussex, for example, lasts one year full time and costs international students £24,200 for a September 2027 start.

A philosophy degree does not lead to one profession. Lancaster University lists policy analyst, project manager, journalist, public relations specialist and civil servant among the careers open to its graduates.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a philosophy degree take in the UK?

Three years full time in England, for example at Lancaster, Sheffield, Newcastle, Sussex and King's College London. In Scotland the honours degree takes four years, as at the University of St Andrews.

Is the Scottish MA in Philosophy a master's degree?

No. The MA (Hons) at the University of St Andrews is a four-year undergraduate degree. A postgraduate master's, such as the one-year Philosophy MA at Sussex, comes after a first degree.

Do I need to have studied philosophy at school?

The universities cited here state their offers as overall grades, for example ABB at Lancaster or AAA at King's College London. Each course page lists any subject requirements and the international qualifications accepted.

What level of English is required?

Between IELTS 6.0 and 6.5 overall at the universities cited here. The Student visa requires English equivalent to CEFR level B2 for degree-level study.