BA Philosophy at Queen's University Belfast

Programme overview

The BA Philosophy covers core areas of philosophy such as ethics, metaphysics, theory of knowledge and political philosophy, alongside key thinkers including Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Hume, Marx, Simone de Beauvoir and Charles W. Mills. Students also develop reasoning and argumentation skills through formal logic and critical thinking. Philosophy at Queen's is a small unit with individualised teaching.

Faculty: Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences | Department: School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics | Duration: 3 years full-time | Intake: September 2027 (academic year 2027/28) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1 core modules are Philosophy and Human Nature, Perspectives on Politics, Philosophy and The Good Life and Introductory Logic (20 credits each). Students may spend part of the course studying at other European universities or in the USA.

Career pathways

Philosophy graduates work across the Civil Service, local government, the media, policy analysis, the voluntary sector, teaching, journalism, business, marketing and advertising; destinations have included the BBC, the Diplomatic Service and the NHS. Further study includes MA programmes in the School.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A-level: ABB (a maximum of one BTEC/OCR Single Award or AQA Extended Certificate counts, with Distinction* equated to A and Distinction to B). BTEC Extended Diploma: D*DD. Irish Leaving Certificate: H3H3H3H3H3H3/H2H3H3H3H3. International Baccalaureate: 33 points including 6,5,5 at Higher Level. Access course: average of 70%. Graduate entry: minimum 2:2 honours degree. GCSE English Language grade C/4 required; no specific Level 3 subject requirements. Last year's applicants with A-level/BTEC needed at least 5 GCSE passes at grade C/4 or better including English Language. Selection is on the UCAS form; interviews are not normally held. International applicants: IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (or equivalent).

Domestic applicants: GBP 4,985 a year (2026/27). NI/ROI residency, full-time undergraduate tuition; 2026/27 rate Source

International applicants: GBP 24,600 a year. International and EU Other rate for 2027/28 entry Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 3 years full-time

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