Philosophy with Foundation Year BA (Hons)
Birkbeck, University of London
Key Course Facts
Student Reviews
Below you can see course specific reviews of 10 graduates of Philosophy with Foundation Year BA (Hons) and other courses in Languages and Area Studies at Birkbeck, University of London for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Languages and Area Studies .
Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.
All Languages and Area Studies courses of Birkbeck, University of London
Salary
Salary of Graduates in CAH19
Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Languages and Area Studies at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.
| 15 months after graduation | 3 years after graduation | 5 years after graduation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median salary | £33500 | £18000 | £27500 |
| 25-75 percentile range | £24500 - £45000 | £9500 - £27500 | £11500 - £43000 |
All History of Art, Architecture and Design courses of Birkbeck, University of London
Salary of all UK Graduates of CAH19
| 15 months after graduation | 3 years after graduation | 5 years after graduation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median salary | £25625 | £23693 | £27744 |
| 25-75 percentile range | £22269 - £29904 | £17937 - £29563 | £21216 - £36573 |
All CAH19 courses in the UK
Course Description
On Birkbeck’s BA Philosophy you will explore ancient answers and new perspectives on our place in the world. What makes something good or just? Is the human mind just a lump of grey matter? Why are democracies preferable to autocracies? Do we have free will? Does God exist? Who decides what counts as beautiful?
This philosophy degree is taught by some of the country’s leading researchers with a passion for teaching. We provide a welcoming and supportive academic learning environment, and our teaching is driven by a focus on collaboration, discussion and debate, which is also why many of our modules are team-taught. Unlike many other philosophy degrees, you will therefore have the opportunity to work with more than one of our lecturers on a module, bringing multiple perspectives to the classroom.
Our location in the heart of London means you can also take advantage of leading societies such as the Aristotelian Society, the Royal Institute of Philosophy, the London Aesthetics Forum and the London Mind Group, ensuring you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to philosophical stimulation and community.
Our BA Philosophy provides you with a thorough grounding in the central areas of philosophy, while giving you highly transferable skills such as:
- independent judgement
- critical thought
- the ability to analyse complex ideas and arguments.
From the first year you will gain a firm foundation in ethics, political philosophy, history of philosophy, metaphysics and epistemology, and acquire central philosophical abilities through dedicated philosophical skills modules in logic or critical thinking. You are then free to choose option modules that best suit your passions and interests and can elect to pursue a dissertation project together with a supervisor in your final year.
If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.
Highlights
- Birkbeck is a leading centre for philosophical research in the UK. All of our established members of academic staff are active researchers, and our excellence in both teaching and research is consistently reflected in UK and international surveys.
- We have a specialist philosophy library at 30 Russell Square. The main philosophy collection is held in the Birkbeck Library, which has an extensive range of books and online resources.
- We are a member of the University of London’s Institute of Philosophy. Our students therefore belong to a large, intercollegiate community of philosophers, and are welcome at a range of seminars, lectures, talks and conferences.
Careers and employability
Graduates can pursue career paths in education, research, politics and journalism. Possible professions include:
- higher education lecturer
- civil service fast streamer
- local government officer
- newspaper journalist.
We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.
Jobs & Career Perspectives
15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.
All Others in Language and Area Studies courses of Birkbeck, University of London
Current jobs
All courses of Birkbeck, University of London
Required skill level of job after 15 months
All Others in Language and Area Studies courses of Birkbeck, University of London
Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)
Example below based on all graduates of Philosophy with Foundation Year BA (Hons) at Birkbeck, University of London
| 20% | Process, plant and machine operatives |
| 10% | Engineering professionals |
| 10% | Elementary occupations |
| 10% | Engineering professionals |
| 5% | Managers, directors and senior officials |
| 5% | Science, engineering and technology associate professionals |
| 5% | Skilled trades occupations |
| 5% | Process, plant and machine operatives |
| 5% | Managers, directors and senior officials |
| 5% | Elementary occupations |
Entry Requirements / Admissions
Requirements for international students / English requirements
IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)
-
- 6.5
- Mphil / PhD
Costs
Average student cost of living in London
| Rent | £518 |
| Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) | £50 |
| Supermarket shopping | £81 |
| Clothing | £35 |
| Eating out | £33 |
| Alcohol | £27 |
| Takeaways / food deliveries | £30 |
| Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) | £24 |
| Holidays and weekend trips | £78 |
| Transport within city | £17 |
| Self-care / sports | £20 |
| Stationary / books | £13 |
| Mobile phone / internet | £13 |
| Cable TV / streaming | £7 |
| Insurance | £51 |
| Other | £95 |
| Average student cost of living | £1092 |
London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.
How to apply
Application deadline:
January 1, 2025
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Possible Entry Points:
- Foundation
University Rankings
Positions of Birkbeck, University of London in top UK and global rankings.
See all 17 university rankings of Birkbeck, University of London
About Birkbeck, University of London
Birkbeck, University of London (BBK) was established in 1823, and takes a different stance towards admissions than many other universities. Applicants are encouraged by BKK to apply even if they don’t possess the traditional qualifications normally required, as applications here are also considered based on an assessment of your knowledge on the subject, and any work experience you might have. Being located in the very centre of London, students will have all the advantages of the city’s public transport connections, as well as the chance to live in such a diverse and vibrant city with all that it offers.
List of 197 Bachelor and Master Courses from Birkbeck, University of London - Course Catalogue
Student composition of Birkbeck, University of London
-
Total number of students enrolled at Birkbeck, University of London by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
- undergraduates:
- 4800
- postgraduates:
- 2810
- Total:
- 7610
Where is this programme taught
Show on map
Similar courses
| Program | University | Student satisfaction | Unemployed | Dropout | Tuition (UK) | Tuition (International) |  UCAS Tariff |
City | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Philosophy (with Foundation Year) BA (Hons) | The University of Winchester | 82% | 0% | 15% | £9250 | £16700 | 115 | Winchester | On campus Full-time |
|
Marketing and Philosophy & Ethics BA (Hons) | Liverpool Hope University | 90% | 5% | 15% | £9250 | £12500 | 111 | Liverpool | On campus Full-time |
|
|
History and Philosophy & Ethics BA (Hons) | Liverpool Hope University | 95% | 10% | 10% | £9250 | £12500 | 110 | Liverpool | On campus Full-time |
|
Philosophy and Politics BA (Hons) | University of East Anglia | 74% | 0% | 10% | £9250 | £19250 | 125 | Norwich | On campus Full-time |
|
Philosophy and Politics BA/BSc (Hons) | Oxford Brookes University | - | 5% | 10% | £9250 | £15950 | 114 | Oxford | On campus Full-time |
|
Philosophy and History BA (Hons) | University of Essex | 85% | 5% | 5% | £9250 | £19500 | 126 | Colchester | On campus Full-time |
|
|
Nutrition and Philosophy & Ethics BA (Hons) | Liverpool Hope University | 47% | 5% | 5% | £9250 | £12500 | 113 | Liverpool | On campus Full-time |
|
Philosophy with Politics BA (Hons) | Royal Holloway, University of London | 82% | 4% | 8% | £9250 | £23800 | 137 | Egham | On campus Full-time |
|
|
Philosophy, Ethics & Religion BA (Hons) | Liverpool Hope University | 75% | 5% | 10% | £9250 | £12500 | 111 | Liverpool | On campus Full-time |
|
|
Law with Philosophy LLB (Hons) | University of Essex | - | 2% | 5% | £9250 | £20500 | 122 | Colchester | On campus Full-time |
