Strand Campus
Strand Campus sits along the Thames at London's cultural heart. Alongside world-class teaching spaces, students enjoy access to the pedestrianised Strand Quad, with Somerset House and iconic landmarks just steps away.
Overview
Why study philosophy? In a world increasingly driven by AI, the ability to think critically, challenge assumptions and approach complex problems is more valuable than ever.
In this degree, you’ll develop highly transferable skills, learning to tackle difficult questions, find creative solutions and present compelling arguments. These skills can open doors to careers across law, government, finance, journalism, marketing, teaching and policy development.
As one of the country’s largest and most distinguished philosophy departments, we offer an exceptional breadth of topics. Many of these aren’t available on other philosophy degrees. You’ll learn from leading philosophers and recent graduates, gaining different perspectives on some of life’s biggest questions.
Explore philosophy from early Greek thought to contemporary debates, with opportunities to study less commonly taught subjects such as Indian, Islamic and Chinese philosophy. You can also broaden your horizons through a semester abroad or transfer to our four-year Philosophy with a Year Abroad BA.
Think of your philosophy degree as a toolkit for the modern world, equipping you to question deeply, think clearly and make a difference.
Key benefits
- Study at a university ranked 14th in the world for Philosophy (QS Rankings by Subject 2026).
- Explore a diverse range of topics from early Greek philosophy to the present day, including options such as Chinese philosophy.
- Develop your ideas and arguments through small-group teaching, focused discussion and personalised feedback.
- Connect with London’s vibrant philosophical community through leading societies such as the Aristotelian Society and the Royal Institute of Philosophy.
- Build critical-thinking skills valuable for careers in law, government, journalism, teaching, finance or communications.
King’s has its base in the analytic tradition but is unique in offering an incredibly broad range of modules to suit anyone’s interest, including rarities such as Chinese and Indian Philosophy.
AuroraPhilosophy student
Course essentials
Philosophy is not just about learning what to think. More importantly, it’s about how to think. Our degree combines theoretical and practical philosophy, encouraging you to challenge assumptions, construct arguments and find new ways of approaching complex problems. With the rise of AI, the ability to think critically, creatively and independently has real commercial value.
Explore centuries, cultures and ideas
You’ll be joining a department respected for its strengths in the philosophy of mind, logic and philosophy of science, ethics and political philosophy and the history of philosophy. And thanks to our size and expertise, we can offer an unusually large module choice.
Shape your degree
In your first year, you’ll take eight compulsory modules. Build foundations in Greek, modern and political philosophy while learning more about epistemology, metaphysics, ethics and logic.
From year two onwards, you can shape your degree around your interests. Choose from areas including Chinese, Indian and medieval philosophy, gender and philosophy, continental philosophy, ethics and politics, and more. In your final year, you'll select from a broad range of optional modules, giving you the freedom to follow your passions and explore the topics that interest you most, whether that's Islamic philosophy, aesthetics, advanced logic, the theory of incompleteness and paradox, or further study in Greek or Continental philosophy. You can also decide whether to complete a dissertation in your final year.
Build your future
There are opportunities to study abroad at partner universities in Canada, the US, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and Germany, with a semester abroad in your second year or a full year in your third year.
Your philosophy degree will prepare you for a wide range of careers where the ability to ask the right questions, analyse complex issues and develop original ideas sets you apart.
Special features
Optional study abroad
Key Information
UCAS code:
V500
Course type:
Single honours
Delivery mode:
In person
Study mode:
Full-time
Required A-Levels:
AAA
Duration:
Three years
Application status:
Start date:
September 2027
Application deadline:
Administrative bodies
Awarding body
King's College London and Affiliates
Regulating body
Base campus