Philosophy is the study of the most general and fundamental features of reality - including ourselves - and the knowledge and beliefs we have about that reality which are embodied in our concepts, theories and practices.
The BA (Hons) in Philosophy course enables you to learn how to develop and justify your own answers to some of the most fundamental and important questions:
- Can I know that Im not trapped inside The Matrix?
- What makes something the morally right thing to do?
- Do we have free will?
- Does God exist?
Philosophy is the study of the most general and fundamental features of reality - including ourselves - and the knowledge and beliefs we have about that reality which are embodied in our concepts, theories and practices.<br/><br/>The BA (Hons) in Philosophy course enables you to learn how to develop and justify your own answers to some of the most fundamental and important questions:<br/>- Can I know that Im not trapped inside The Matrix?<br/><br/><br/>- What makes something the morally right thing to do?<br/><br/><br/>- Do we have free will?<br/><br/><br/>- Does God exist?<br/><br/><br/>- Is the human mind just a lump of grey matter?<br/><br/><br/>While well explain some of the existing answers to these questions, and the reasons why one might think those answers are correct, our focus is on learning how to critically assess these arguments and to develop and argue for your own answers.<br/><br/>You will develop useful skills including:<br/>- how to present an effective and rigorous argument;<br/><br/><br/>- how to develop criticisms of other peoples arguments and views;<br/><br/><br/>- how to explain difficult material clearly and concisely; and<br/><br/><br/>- how to deal with the fact that on most of the questions in life, reasonable people can believe radically different things.<br/><br/><br/>These skills are value for your career as well as in everyday life, whether youre deciding what to do, having an argument with a friend, or simply reading a newspaper.
Some courses vary and have tailored teaching options, select a course option below.
Course Details
Information
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
3 Years
Start Date
22/09/2025
Campus
Main Site
Application deadline
Provider Details
Codes/info
Course Code
V500
Institution Code
M20
Points of Entry
Year 1
UCAS TariffNot Accepted Scottish HigherWe accept Scottish Advanced Highers and Highers in one of the following combinations: Three Advanced Highers at grades BBB. or Two Advanced Highers at grades BB, plus two additional Highers at grades BB. Applicants taking a different combination of Highers and Advanced Highers should contact socialsciences@manchester.ac.uk for further advice. Applicants not taking English language or Mathematics at Higher level must achieve grade C in English language and Grade B in Mathematics at SCQF Level 5. Access to HE DiplomaWe require a QAA-recognised Access to HE Diploma (a minimum of 60 credits overall with at least 45 at Level 3), with merit or distinction in a subject area relevant to the chosen course. - Typical applicant - A mature student returning to education after a number of years. - Typical offer - Pass Access to HE Diploma with 45 level 3 credits (36 Distinctions/9 Merits). - Minimum Grade B or 6 in GCSE/iGCSE English Language and Grade C or 4 in GCSE/iGCSE Mathematics. International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme34 6,5,5 at Higher level, 34 points overall. Applicants taking English Language A must achieve grade 4 at Higher or Standard level. Applicants offering English Language B must achieve grade 5 at Higher level and grade 6 at Standard level. Changes to International Baccalaureate Diploma Mathematics Courses from September 2019, first examination 2021. We are aware of the planned changes to the IB Mathematics curriculum. IB students will be able to choose from: Mathematics: analysis and approaches and Mathematics: applications and interpretation from September 2019. For this programme of study we will accept: Mathematics: analysis and approaches or Mathematics: applications and interpretation at SL or HL Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)MMM The School accepts Pearson BTEC Level 3 qualifications for entry as long as it is in a relevant subject and taken alongside A-levels. The A-level you are taking must be included in the list of subjects found in the A-level entry requirements above. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma - accepted with grades MMM in combination with an A-level at grade A in a different subject area to the diploma. GCSE/National 4/National 5Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade B or 6 in GCSE/iGCSE English Language and Grade C or 4 in GCSE/iGCSE Mathematics. GCSE/iGCSE English Literature will n Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)DM The School accepts Pearson BTEC Level 3 qualifications for entry as long as it is in a relevant subject and taken alongside A-levels. The A-level you are taking must be included in the list of subjects found in the A-level entry requirements above. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma - accepted with grades DM in combination with an A-level at grade A in a different subject area to the diploma. ASAS level results are not considered as part of the standard admissions process at The University of Manchester. OCR Cambridge Technical DiplomaDM The School accepts OCR Cambridge Technical (CTEC) Level 3 qualifications for entry as long as it is in a relevant subject and taken alongside A-levels. The A-level you are taking must be included in the list of subjects found in the A-level entry requirements above. Cambridge Technical Diploma - accepted with grades DM in combination with an A-level at grade A in a different subject area to the diploma. OCR Cambridge Technical Extended DiplomaMMM The School accepts OCR Cambridge Technical (CTEC) Level 3 qualifications for entry as long as it is in a relevant subject and taken alongside A-levels. The A-level you are taking must be included in the list of subjects found in the A-level entry requirements above. Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - accepted with grades MMM in combination with an A-level at grade A in a different subject area to the diploma. Scottish Advanced HigherWe accept Scottish Advanced Highers and Highers in one of the following combinations: Three Advanced Highers at grades BBB. or Two Advanced Highers at grades BB, plus two additional Highers at grades BB. Applicants taking a different combination of Highers and Advanced Highers should contact socialsciences@manchester.ac.uk for further advice. Applicants not taking English language or Mathematics at Higher level must achieve grade C in English language and Grade B in Mathematics at SCQF Level 5. Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - PrincipalD3,M1,M1 Applicants are expected to achieve D3, M1, M1 in the Cambridge Pre-U. Applicants can either take three Pre-U qualifications or study them in conjunction with A-level subjects. Extended ProjectThe University recognises the benefits of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. Although the Extended Project will not be included in the conditions of your offer, we strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement and at interview. A number of our academic Schools may also choose to take your performance in the EPQ into account should places be available in August for applicants who narrowly miss the entry grades for their chosen course. Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma/Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and usually requires two A Levels or equivalent to be included within this. We consider the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma/Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate as equivalent to an A-level on a grade-for-grade basis. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)D The School accepts Pearson BTEC Level 3 qualifications for entry as long as it is in a relevant subject and taken alongside A-levels. The A-level you are taking must be included in the list of subjects found in the A-level entry requirements above. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate - accepted with grade D in combination with two A-levels at grade BB in different subject areas to the diploma. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)Not Accepted Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)M The School accepts Pearson BTEC Level 3 qualifications for entry as long as it is in a relevant subject and taken alongside A-levels. The A-level you are taking must be included in the list of subjects found in the A-level entry requirements above. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma - accepted with grade M in combination with two A-levels at grade BB in different subject areas to the diploma. OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation DiplomaMM The School accepts OCR Cambridge Technical (CTEC) Level 3 qualifications for entry as long as it is in a relevant subject and taken alongside A-levels. The A-level you are taking must be included in the list of subjects found in the A-level entry requirements above. Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma - accepted with grades MM in combination with two A-levels at grade BB in different subject areas to the diploma. OCR Cambridge Technical Extended CertificateD The School accepts OCR Cambridge Technical (CTEC) Level 3 qualifications for entry as long as it is in a relevant subject and taken alongside A-levels. The A-level you are taking must be included in the list of subjects found in the A-level entry requirements above. Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate - accepted with grade D in combination with two A-levels at grade BB in different subject areas to the diploma. A levelA,B,B ABB We do not accept two A/S Levels grades in place of one A Level. Applicants must be studying at least one of the following A-level subjects: Accounting; Economics; Finance; Business Studies; Development Studies; Government and Politics; Economic and Social History; Mathematics; Anthropology; Sociology; Philosophy; Religious Studies; English Language; English Literature; Geography; Psychology; Classical Civilisation; History; Archaeology; Communication Studies; Environmental Studies; World Development; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Modern Languages. We accept native language A Levels providing they are taken in the same sitting as your other subjects. We will not accept the combination of Mathematics, Further Mathematics and a native language. We accept the Level 3 Diploma in Financial Studies (DipFS) as equivalent to an A-level if taken alongside two full A-levels from the list of acceptable subjects above. Typical Contextual Offer: BBB |
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