What are the best UK universities for Philosophy? Choosing a University to study Philosophy can be difficult. This is because there are many great schools, each with its own strengths.
Finding the right university according to your goals is essential. It can give you the right network and support to help you achieve your dreams. What’s more, studying at the right university boosts your employability and success rate.
That’s why we ensure our Philosophy Summer School students have the opportunity to participate in our Academic Skills Workshop. So they can receive the tools necessary to prepare for the next steps in their education.
We’ve also done the hard work for you and created a list of the best UK universities for philosophy. Our rankings are based on statistics and student-based feedback, so you can be sure you’re making the right decision for your future.
What’s more, Oxford contains the largest volume of internationally excellent research in the UK, according to the 2014 Research Excellence Framework.
What makes Oxford one of the best UK universities for Philosophy in the UK? The QS World University Rankings for Philosophy 2022 ranks Oxford #6 in the world. In the UK, the Complete University Guide 2023 ranks Oxford #1.
Also, do you know that world-renowned philosophers have taught at Oxford? Such prestigious philosophers include John Locke, John Duns Scotus, Elizabeth Anscombe, and Iris Murdoch.
Oxford doesn’t have a standalone Philosophy course for undergraduates. What it offers is a collection of Philosophy joint courses such as:
Let’s look at Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE.) PPE is a three-year course based on the belief that studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics together is transformative. Positive impact ripples across society by transforming the students’ intellectual lives.
Do you know that the University of Cambridge is the 4th-oldest university in the world? Since then, it has had over 121 Nobel Prize winners it’s affiliated with. So what does Cambridge aim to achieve? To contribute to society through excellence in learning, education, and research.
The University of Cambridge is a world-renowned university. With the QS World University Rankings 2023 ranking it #2 worldwide. And the Complete University Guide 2023 declares it #2 in the UK.
Why is the University of Cambridge one of the best universities for Philosophy in the UK? The Complete University Guide 2023 and The Guardian 2021 ranks Cambridge #3 in the UK for Philosophy.
Prominent early twentieth-century philosophers who studied Philosophy at Cambridge include Moore, Russell, Ramsey, and Wittgenstein.
One of the unique aspects of Philosophy at Cambridge is its strong commitment to the analytic tradition, giving emphasis on 3 core characteristics:
Rigour
Clarity
Independent thought
Some of the Philosophy topics you’ll encounter at Cambridge include:
Metaphysics
History of Analytic Philosophy
Political Philosophy
Aesthetics and Philosophy of Art
Philosophical Logic
European Philosophy from Kant
Where Do Cambridge Philosophy Graduates Go?
The critical and analytical skills Cambridge Philosophy graduates develop lead them to a broad range of professions, including:
Business
Journalism
Teaching
Computing
IT
Publishing
Banking and Investment
Arts and Recreation
Public Services
Are you searching for an analytical-oriented Philosophy course at one of the most prestigious universities in the world? Then, you’d love to explore Philosophy at the University of Cambridge!
St Andrews did it again a second time. The Guardian University Guide 2023 crowns St Andrews as the Top University in the UK.
How happy are the students at the University of St Andrews? Very happy! According to the National Student Survey 2022, St Andrews is #1 for student academic experience in the UK.
Why is St Andrews one of the UK’s best universities for Philosophy? The Guardian 2021 ranks St Andrews #1 in the UK for Philosophy. In the Complete University Guide 2023, St Andrews is at #5 for Philosophy.
What will you learn from St Andrews’ MA Philosophy course? You’ll explore the following topics:
Truth vs Falsehood
Reality vs Appearance
Freedom: is it real or an illusion
Ideal society: what structure does it have?
Climate change
Social media ethics
Artificial intelligence
Bioethics
Where do St Andrews Philosophy graduates go after completing the course? Common career paths include:
The London School of Economics and Politics is among the best social science universities worldwide. Do you know that the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 ranks LSE #3 for Social Sciences & Management?
How does LSE excel in careers and employability? In the latest academic data, 92.8% of LSE graduates were employed or enrolled in further study within 15 months after graduation. What’s the median salary of an LSE graduate? €35,000
Why is the London School of Economics and Politics one of the best UK universities for Philosophy? The Complete University Guide 2023 ranks LSE #2 in the UK for Philosophy.
There are 4 Philosophy courses available at LSE:
BSc Philosophy and Economics
BSc Philosophy, Politics and Economics
BSc Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method
BSc Politics and Philosophy
Let’s take a closer look at BSc Philosophy and Economics. Discover Uni reports that 90% of LSE Philosophy and Economics graduates proceed to work or study further within 15 months after graduation.
What will you learn from LSE’s Philosophy and Economics? You’ll encounter the following topics along the course:
Ethics
Metaphysics
Epistemology
Philosophy of Science
Political Philosophy
International financial crises
The economic crisis of 2008
Gender pay gap
Formal modelling of economic relationships
Are you looking to study Philosophy at the best university in London? Then, consider applying to the London School of Economics and Politics.
Do you want to join a family and community that will help you achieve the extraordinary? Durham University is #6 in the UK, according to The Guardian University Guide 2023. And it’s a World Top 100 according to the QS World University Rankings 2023.
Is Durham a good university for employability? Definitely! According to Graduate Outcomes Data, 89% of Durham UK & EU undergraduate leavers were employed or enrolled in further study within 15 months after graduation during 2017-18.
What’s more, you’re sure to feel inspired to study in the lovely city of Durham. After all, Durham is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Northeast England.
Durham University is among the best for Philosophy in the UK. It offers several Philosophy courses for undergraduate students, including:
Philosophy BA
Philosophy and Politics BA
Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
Philosophy and Psychology
Philosophy and Theology
Music and Philosophy
English Literature and Philosophy
Let’s examine Philosophy BA in particular. Discover Uni reports that 90% of Durham Philosophy graduates are employed or enrolled in further study within 15 months after graduation.
Those employed receive average entry-level salaries of £26,500.
What are some of the topics you’ll learn from Durham’s Philosophy course? Core modules include the following:
Ethics
Values
Knowledge
Reality
Philosophical Traditions
Reading Philosophy
As you advance through the course, you’ll have the opportunity to choose which topics interest you most. Here are some of the elective topics:
Moral Theory
Philosophy of Science
Applied Ethics
History and Philosophy of Psychiatry
Twentieth-Century European Philosophy
Biomedical Ethics Past and Present
Political and Social Philosophy
Do you want to study in a UNESCO World Heritage Site and acquire critical skills high-quality employers seek? Then, check out what Durham University can do for you!
The University College London is known as London’s Global University. Inspiring disruptive thinking since 1826, it’s the first university in England to have welcomed women and students of any religion to university education.
UCL invites ambitious thinkers into its fold. They aspire to teach you how to think rather than what to think. With this in mind, they’ve produced over 30 Nobel Prize laureates.
Do you know that UCL is one of the best universities in the world? The QS World University Rankings 2023 puts UCL at #8 globally. And the Research Excellence Framework 2021 rates UCL #2 in the UK for Research Power.
Why is UCL one of the best UK universities for Philosophy? Because THE World University Rankings 2022 by subject: arts and humanities ranks UCL Top #5 worldwide. UCL offers a number of Philosophy courses, including:
Philosophy BA
German and Philosophy BA
French and Philosophy BA
Spanish and Philosophy BA
Let’s take a peek at Philosophy BA. It’s a 3-year course, with the following as your core modules for your first year:
Political Philosophy
Moral Philosophy
Epistemology
Metaphysics
Introductory logic
For your 2nd and 3rd years, you’ll have the freedom to choose from a range of optional modules, such as:
Aesthetics
Meaning and Interpretation
Protecting Dignity
Marxism
Metaethics
Equality
Discover Uni states that 80% of UCL Philosophy graduates work or study further within 15 months after graduation. Those employed receive average entry-level salaries of £29,500.
Are you looking to study in London to learn how to think for yourself? Then UCL is one of your best options!
It’s no surprise that Bristol is the #1 Best Business Incubator worldwide, according to UBI Global 2019. Bristol also excels when it comes to employability.
According to The Graduate Market in 2022 by High Fliers Research, Bristol is #3 for the Most Targeted by Top UK Employers. In addition, the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) reports that Bristol graduates are among the Top 10 highest earning in the UK.
What makes Bristol one of the top Philosophy universities in the UK? The Complete University Guide 2023 ranks Bristol #10 in the UK for Philosophy. Here are some of the Philosophy courses Bristol offers:
Let’s take a closer look at BA Philosophy. The 3-year Philosophy course at Bristol gives particular emphasis to 3 significant skills:
Textual analysis
Clear written and verbal communication
Critical thinking
In addition, you’ll learn the following topics:
Epistemology
Metaphysics
Moral Philosophy
Political Philosophy
Critical Thinking
Logic
Value Theory
Knowledge
Reality
Are you searching for a UK Top University that’s dedicated to helping you achieve your business or employability goals? Check out the University of Bristol!
King’s College London is right smack at the heart of London. Its ambition? To make the world a better place. How? Through its world-leading research and education. Do you know that King’s is #6 in the UK for world-leading research, according to REF 2021?
In addition, King’s is #22 in the UK, according to the Complete University Guide 2023. And #37 in the world according to the QS World University Rankings 2023.
Why is King’s one of the best universities for Philosophy? Because the Complete University Guide 2023 ranks King’s #6 for Philosophy.
Here are some of the Philosophy courses offered at King’s College London:
Let’s examine Philosophy BA more closely. Discover Uni reports that 95% of King’s Philosophy graduates were employed or enrolled in further study within 15 months after graduation. Furthermore, those employed received an average entry-level salary of £24,000.
King’s main teaching emphasis is the small-group approach. To ensure you develop and hone the necessary skills with substantial feedback and discussion. Addition special features include:
Option to study abroad
Option for internships
Where do King’s Philosophy graduates go after completing the course? Recent graduates were enrolled in the following positions:
Banker
Trainee teacher
Trainee journalist
Analyst consultant
Film production assistant
Barrister
Police constable
Do you want to study at the heart of London at a prestigious university that caters to small-group teaching? Then, try exploring King’s College London!
The University of Edinburgh is one of the best universities in the world. What is its vision? To lead with values, research, teaching, and innovation to make the world a better place.
Do you know that the Complete University Guide 2023 ranks Edinburgh at #12 in the UK? In the world, the QS World University Rankings places Edinburgh at #15.
Why is the University of Edinburgh one of the best universities for Philosophy in the UK? The Complete University Guide 2023 puts Edinburgh at #7 for Philosophy. Prominent figures who have studied Philosophy in Edinburgh include Adam Smith and David Hume.
In addition, Edinburgh’s Philosophy has been rated #4 in the UK according to Times Higher Education for its world-leading research using the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).
Edinburgh also offers its students a Personal Tutor to help them every step of the way.
What are the Philosophy courses offered at Edinburgh?
Let’s take a closer look at MA Philosophy. Some of the topics you’ll learn in this course include:
Introduction to the History of Philosophy
Logic
Morality and Ethics
The Nature of Argument
Mind, Matter and Language
Knowledge and Reality
You can choose from a broad range of optional courses during your 3rd and 4th years, including:
Late Modern Philosophy
Philosophy of Religion
Feminism
Political Philosophy
Aesthetics
Where do Edinburgh Philosophy graduates go after completing the course? 80% are employed or enrolled in further study within 15 months after graduation. Those employed receive an average entry-level salary of £28,000.
Previous Edinburgh Philosophy graduates went into a variety of careers, including:
Education
Finance
Commerce
Computing
Journalism
Law
Are you looking to study in Scotland’s beautiful capital city with a personal tutor to help you along the way? Why not explore the University of Edinburgh?
The University of Southampton aims to inspire the remarkable. The core values it upholds include excellence, inclusivity, and diversity.
Do you know that Southampton is a founding member of the prestigious Russell Group? The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 ranks Southampton #12 in the UK.
In the world? The QS World University Rankings 2023 declares Southampton #78.
Southampton also has impressive employability rates. The latest Higher Education Statistics Agency Graduate Outcomes data reports that 96% of its graduates are employed or enrolled in further study after completing their course.
What makes Southampton one of the best UK universities for Philosophy? The Guardian 2021 states that Southampton is #6 in the UK for Philosophy. It offers several Philosophy courses, including:
Let’s examine Philosophy BA. Discover Uni reports that 90% of Philosophy Southampton graduates are employed or enrolled in further study within 15 months after graduation.
Those employed receive average entry-level salaries of £22,500. Plus, an impressive 94% of the students agreed they were satisfied with the course.
Here are some of the topics you’ll study:
Political Philosophy
Philosophy of Mind
Ethics
Metaphysics
Global Poverty
Sex and Gender
Artificial Intelligence
Where do Southampton Philosophy graduates go after graduation? They go into a variety of careers, including:
Project Manager
Human Resources Coordinator
Data Analyst
Journalism
Publishing
IT
Investment Analyst
Digital Marketing Coordinator
Tax Consultant
Teacher
Are you looking to study Philosophy at a university with high employability and student satisfaction ratings? Then, check out the University of Southampton.
What Can I Do With a Philosophy Degree UK?
Studying Philosophy helps you develop a competitive set of transferable skills. Among the many career paths you can choose, here are some:
There you have it! Which among the best UK universities for Philosophy caught your eye? Remember, it’s all about your future goals. So choose the one that aligns with your needs most!
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