We answer all your questions about studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in Philosophy abroad.
Are you a curious person? Are you always thinking about the fundamental truths of the world? Then studying philosophy could be your vocation. Throughout the course, you will develop problem-solving, critical thinking, debating, effective reasoning and critical thinking skills which, as we will discuss below, are characteristics that make you highly employable.
Use this guide to find out what a degree in philosophy entails, whether this is the right field for you, and why you should study philosophy.
What are 5 reasons to study philosophy?
What is philosophy?
During your philosophy degree, you will learn and debate topics such as existence, reality, knowledge, mind, ethics and time, to name just a few areas of inquiry. Typical philosophical questions include:
- What is knowledge?
- Who should lead?
- What is freedom?
- What is truth?
- What is beauty?
- Do we have free will?
- Can computers be creative?
- What does it mean to be true?
In philosophy, there are no definitive answers. Studying this area means considering different arguments and evaluating the validity of each of them.
Some other main reasons to study philosophy:
- Gain a deeper understanding of some of the world’s most fundamental issues
- Prepare for a wide variety of fields
- Learn to argue effectively
- Learn about some of the most notable thinkers who have shaped the way we think about the world today, including Socrates, Descartes, and Aristotle
- Develop strong writing skills
- Formulate your own opinions
- Analyze complex information
What is the duration of a philosophy course?
A BA in Philosophy typically takes three to four years to complete, depending on the type of program and the university you are studying at. In the United Kingdom and Australia, bachelor’s degrees usually last three years, while in Canada and the United States, they usually last four.
Most philosophy courses result in a Bachelor of Arts (BA) qualification as it is a humanities subject.
If you are interested in deepening your knowledge on a specific topic, you can take a postgraduate degree in philosophy. In this case, you can expect to study for one year full-time or two years part-time. In a doctorate, the length of studies varies depending on the program, but can take five to six years to complete.
Options for universities with philosophy courses in Canada:
- University of Alberta
- MacEwan University
- University of Lethbridge
- Ryerson University International College
- University of Regina
What are the admission requirements for a philosophy degree?
According to UCAS (University and Colleges Admission Service), a centralized service for university admissions in the United Kingdom, applicants for philosophy courses need A-Level BCC-AAB scores (or equivalent), depending on the institution they apply to. candidate.
Entry requirements can vary widely, especially between countries, so be sure to check the grades you will need to achieve and whether you are on track to achieve them, depending on the study destination you choose.
Discover some universities in some of the top study destinations that offer bachelor’s degrees in philosophy.
- Queen’s University Belfast (United Kingdom)
- University of New Orleans (United States)
- University of Sydney (Australia)
- Massey University (New Zealand)
What will I study philosophy?
Although course subjects differ depending on the institution, there are some common topics that you are likely to study, such as:
- ancient philosophy
- reason and argument
- political philosophy
- ethic
- Knowledge and reality
- Philosophy of mind
- Philosophy of language
- Philosophy of art
- Existentialism
- Philosophy of religion
- Philosophy of science
- Justice, violence and the state
- Feminist philosophy
When searching for your course abroad, check the modules carefully when comparing universities to choose the one that offers the content that interests you.
Some of these modules will be mandatory to provide basic knowledge, but others will be optional. You can expect to attend weekly classes, seminar groups for class discussion, and have plenty of independent reading to do at home.
Options for universities with philosophy courses in the UK:
- Keele University
- University of Leeds
- Durham University
- University of Nottingham
- Regent’s University London
What is a graduate degree in philosophy like?
If you want to expand your philosophical knowledge, you can pursue a Masters in Philosophy. Or maybe you studied another subject as an undergraduate and now want to explore your interests in philosophy. Either path is plausible.
Typically, to be admitted to a philosophy master’s degree, you will need to have a bachelor’s degree. To study abroad for a Masters taught in English, you will need to provide proof of your language proficiency, with a TOEFL or IELTS score, which varies by university.
At a postgraduate degree, you are expected to write a dissertation of 10,000 to 15,000 words, which must be completed and defended at the end of the course. In addition to your dissertation, you will also be assessed through a mix of exams and assignments.
A master’s degree in philosophy can be awarded as a Master of Arts (MA), Master of Research (MRes) or Master of Science (Msc), depending on the course. As with any master’s degree, you will be expected to work more independently than on your undergraduate course, dedicating plenty of private study time to each module.
Options for universities with philosophy courses in New Zealand:
- Massey University
- University of Auckland
- University of Canterbury
- University of Otago
- University of Waikato
What to do with a philosophy degree?
Philosophy graduates secure work in a variety of sectors after graduation, such as teaching, public relations or politics. Communications, publishing, HR and advertising can also be attractive options, along with law, public service, business and science. Others continue with their studies, academic research or teaching philosophy or related fields. There are those who write and publish books.
Those who specialize in ethics, for example, have opportunities to apply their knowledge on medical ethics committees, while those who studied political philosophy may turn to journalism. The opportunities are countless!