Why philosophy?
This subject poses some of the most challenging questions that have ever been asked, underlying many of the most important questions confronting us today. It will give you the opportunity to think deeply about the nature of God, the mind, knowledge and ethics whilst allowing you to develop important transferable skills which will help you become an independent learner and thinker.
On a more practical level, studying philosophy is an excellent route into both higher education and work. Many of our students go on to study philosophy and related subjects, such as PPE, at Oxbridge and Russell Group universities, and graduates regularly feature in the top undergraduate employment rates coming above other humanities subjects because of their ability to problem solve, think logically and laterally, and to formulate and express opinions. Philosophy graduates are found working for almost every type of employer in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, particularly the law, financial institutions and the creative industries.
You’ll listen to external speakers both in college and outside at different study days, and attend lectures, exhibitions and other events in and around London.
Course content
You will study four foundational philosophical topics: ethics, epistemology, the metaphysics of the mind, and the metaphysics of God.
Students will consider the big questions, such as: ‘What is knowledge?’ and ‘What do good, bad, right and wrong really mean?’.You will also explore further questions including: ‘Is the concept of God incoherent?’ and ‘What is mind?’.
Mark scheme
Exam - 3 hours - 50%
Epistemology and moral philosophy - 100 marks
- 5 questions, all compulsory
Exam - 3 hours - 50%
The metaphysics of the mind and the metaphysics of God - 100 marks
- 5 questions, all compulsory