BA Philosophy at University of California, Los Angeles

Programme overview

The benefits of an undergraduate education in philosophy are those Francis Bacon attributed to reading, conversation, and writing: reading gives us material for our own thought; conversation, facility at sharing and debating ideas; and writing, the ability to fix ideas with precision. A typical philosophy course involves reading: from the center and margins of the major world traditions, to modern thinkers framing today’s urgent issues.

Faculty: College of Letters and Science | Department: Philosophy | Study mode: full-time | Intake: Spring | Location: Los Angeles, CA, United States

What you will study

Preparation for the Major: Complete four lower-division courses as follows: (Elective; Required Courses). The Major: Complete 13 upper-division (100 series) or graduate (200 series) philosophy courses (52 units) as follows: (Required Courses; Groups; Electives).

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applies to students entering the major (college-level admission to UCLA is separate): Transfer Students: Transfer applicants to the Philosophy major with 90 or more units must complete as many of the following introductory courses as possible prior to admission to UCLA: one philosophy of mind or skepticism and rationality course, one ethical theory course, one symbolic logic course, and one additional philosophy course. Refer to the UCLA transfer admission guide for up-to-date information regarding transfer selection for admission.

Fall quarter only; UCLA does not offer early action or early decision.

Transfer students are admitted for fall quarter only.

Most graduate departments and schools have deadlines in November and early December for the following fall term.

Fall 2027 first-year and transfer: UC application opens August 1, accepts submissions October 1-November 30 (deadline November 30) via the UC application. First-year decisions late March; transfer decisions late April. UCLA is test-free and does not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarships. Application fees can be waived for up to four campuses for eligible students.

Transfer applicants must submit the Transfer Academic Update by the January 31 priority deadline; Statement of Intent to Register due June 1. First-year Statement of Intent to Register due May 1.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.ucla.edu/apply

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