76 sChool oF ArTs & huMAnITIEs
Philosophy
Why study philosophy Selection procedure
stuDent pROfiLe
at King’s? The Department of Philosophy does not
The Department of Philosophy at King’s, normally interview applicants, other than
one of the largest in the country, is in the applicants with relevant life experience.
top three nationally for world-leading and Offers are made from November onwards on
internationally excellent research (Research the basis of actual and predicted grades at
Assessment exercise 2008). A-level, in the international Baccalaureate or
other equivalent examinations, and on other
King’s offers not only a broad education in information contained in the UCAS form.
the core topics of philosophy, but also an Everyone to whom an offer is made is invited
unusually wide range of optional courses, to an open day in March when they can meet
covering all areas of the history of philosophy members of the department.
and contemporary philosophy. At King’s you
can study a range of perennial philosophical Career prospects and graduate
debates, learning why well-known
‘The best aspect of my course is philosophers of the past and present held the
destinations
views they did, but also developing views of Graduates have gone on to a wide range of
certainly the tutorials. The chance careers after leaving King’s. Among those who
your own. in so doing, you will develop skills
to spend an hour with a tutor to talk have recently graduated, a survey uncovered
of rigorous thinking which will stand you in
about the topic for that week I find good stead whether you go on to further study a merchant banker, a police constable, a
enormously helpful. Any problems or in philosophy or to other endeavours. barrister, a trainee journalist, a trainee teacher
and several who had returned (or were about
special interests can be talked about
to return) to university to take higher degrees.
and are. Moreover, because there are Teaching style
so few people in the tutorials, we get a in our undergraduate teaching, we aim to
lot of attention and usually very good
combine a wide range of study options with Recent graduates have found
direct staff-student contact. Our emphasis on
feedback on our essays.’ small-group teaching in tutorials and seminars
employment as….
makes King’s an excellent place to acquire • Admin Officer (London Fire Brigade)
Edward latham • intern (Tatler Magazine)
and hone the skills of critical thinking, and
Philosophy BA
to express your ideas both in writing and in • Research Assistant (The RSA)
philosophical discussion with your fellow • Researcher (informer Telecoms Media)
students and instructors. • Trainee Financial Consultant (financial
services company)
Structure of programmes and • Philosophy Consultant (philosophy
assessment promotion company)
Our programme offers an unusually wide range
of options, such as Philosophy of Psychology
and Philosophy in the islamic World. Study of
these options builds upon the solid foundation
Degree programmes
of core courses in the first and second
years, with a lot of choice between modules sInglE honours
already in the second year. Assessment mixes
examinations and essays, and all modules offer Philosophy BA
formative assessment to let you try out and
uCAs CoDE V500
explore your ideas.
sTuDy MoDE Full time
Location and facilities DurATIon Three years
CoNTACTS The Department is based at the College’s loCATIon strand Campus
Strand Campus, in the heart of central EnTry rEQuIrEMEnTs see box
aDDRess
London. The College’s Maughan Library www.kcl.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/
Department of Philosophy,
is a short walk away on Chancery Lane. philosophy
King’s College london, strand Campus,
strand, london wC2r 2ls our Department of Philosophy has particular
COntaCt strengths in philosophy of mind, philosophy of
Centre for Arts & sciences Admissions science, ethics and the history of philosophy. we
are also able to offer an extremely wide range of
eMaiL artshums-ugadmissions@kcl.ac.uk
modules, including subjects like Indian philosophy
teL 020 7848 2350/2374 and medieval philosophy which are offered by very
www.kcl.ac.uk/philosophy few other universities in the uK.
pROfiLe yEAr onE Core modules in Philosophy: greek
students admitted: 60-70 Philosophy I; Ethics I; Elementary logic; Metaphysics
I; Modern Philosophy I, Political Philosophy I,
applicants per place: 10
Epistemology I, Methodology.
Teaching staff: 22
www.kcl.ac.uk 77
yEAr Two you will take two modules from various Philosophy & Hispanic
study areas, plus additional modules either from
Studies BA eNTRY ReQUiReMeNTS
these areas or from our other options. study areas
uCAs CoDEs
include: greek/Modern Philosophy; Ethics/Political uCAs CoDE rV45 gV15, V500, rV45
Philosophy; Epistemology/Metaphysics/language/
sTuDy MoDE Full time 3 A-lEVEls AnD 1 As-lEVEl
Mind.
DurATIon Four years gV15: AAA with A in Maths and A in Further maths at A
yEAr ThrEE In the third year you will study modules level or A*AA/A with A* in Maths and A in Further maths
which can build on those studied in your second loCATIon strand Campus at As
year. you may also choose to do a 10,000 word EnTry rEQuIrEMEnTs see box V500, RV45: AAA/pass
dissertation. www.kcl.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ A/As-lEVEl CoMPulsory suBJECTs
philosophy_and_hispanic_studies gV15: Either; A in Maths and A in Further Maths at A-level
or A* in Maths at A-level and A in Further Maths at As
JoInT honours your year abroad will be in a spanish-speaking level
country. The study of spanish helps you develop V500: none
French & Philosophy BA transferable skills such as linguistic fluency, RV45: grade A at A-level spanish
analytical and communication skills, while Philosophy ACCEss
uCAs CoDE rV15 (see page 64) encourages you to develop clear critical thinking, a gV15: Access to Maths or Maths and Computing (or
similar) Diploma with the maximum award of 60 credits
real asset in today’s job market.
German & Philosophy BA overall and 45 at level three. supplementary information
and achievement eg percentage mark/scores for certain
yEAr onE one core spanish language module plus credits/subjects will be required.
uCAs CoDE rV25 (see page 68) two spanish options. In Philosophy, a choice from V500, RV45: Access to humanities (or similar) Diploma
modules in history of philosophy, ethics and politics, with the maximum award of 60 credits overall and 45 at
Mathematics & Philosophy BA and fundamental areas of contemporary analytic level three. supplementary information and achievement
eg percentage mark/scores for certain credits/subjects
philosophy. will be required
uCAs CoDE gV15
yEAr Two Four optional philosophy modules, one sCoTIsh hIghErs AnD ADVAnCED hIghErs
sTuDy MoDE Full time core spanish language module plus two spanish gV15: AA at Advanced highers (including Maths) plus AAB
DurATIon Three years options. sample options: greek/Modern/Political at 3 further highers
Philosophy; Ethics; Epistemology; Metaphysics; goya V500: AA at Advanced highers plus AAB at highers
loCATIon strand Campus
RV45: AA at Advanced highers plus AAB at highers
EnTry rEQuIrEMEnTs see box & the Dream of reason; nationalism in spain; The
including grade A in spanish
spanish Civil war.
www.kcl.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ IrIsh lEAVIng CErTIFICATE
mathematics_and_philosophy yEAr ThrEE normally spent abroad in a spanish- gV15: A1 A1 A1 A2 B1 B1 at higher level with A1 in Maths
speaking country. V500: A1 A1 A1 A2 B1 B1 at higher level
your philosophical studies will give you an RV45: A1 A1 A1 A2 B1 B1 at higher level including grade A
yEAr Four one core spanish language module plus
opportunity to develop clear critical thinking and in spanish
two optional modules in spanish and four Philosophy
your mathematical studies will encourage you to InTErnATIonAl BACCAlAurEATE
options. sample options: stereotypes in Modern
solve problems, both skills that are concrete and gV15: 38 points overall with hl6 Maths
spanish Cinema; Key Terms & Points of View in latin
valuable assets in today’s job market. V500: 38 points overall
American Visual Arts; Indian Philosophy; Topics in
RV45: 38 points overall including hl 6 in spanish
yEAr onE Compulsory Mathematics and Philosophy of language.
usA: ADVAnCED PlACEMEnT TEsTs (Two sEMEsTEr
Philosophy modules. Mathematics: Calculus I &
only) AnD/or sAT/ACT
II; linear Methods; geometry I. Philosophy: At Physics & Philosophy BSc gV15: Three AP subjects with 555 including Maths
least one module in: history of philosophy; either RV45: Three AP subjects with 555 including spanish. or sAT
ethics or political philosophy: and from among uCAs CoDE FV35 (see page 132) with a total score of 1900 with at least 600 in each section
Elementary logic, Metaphysics I, Epistemology I, and or the ACT with a score of 27 plus 3 sAT-s including
Methodology. Physics & Philosophy with spanish with a score of 600 in each
V500: Three AP subjects with 555. no subject preference.
yEAr Two Three optional and one compulsory a year abroad BSc or sAT with a total score of 1900 with at least 600 in each
section or the ACT with a score of 27 plus 3 sAT-s with a
module in Mathematics plus four optional modules
uCAs CoDE FVh5 (see page 132) score of 600 in each
in Philosophy. options include: Introduction to
APTITuDE TEsT
Dynamical systems; numbers & Functions;
Probability & statistics I; greek/Modern/Political
War Studies & Philosophy BA no test required
Philosophy; Ethics; Metaphysics; Epistemology; uCAs CoDE lV95 (see page 153) More information including requirements for
Philosophy of Mind. 48 other countries can be found on our website
www.kcl.ac.uk/prospectus
yEAr ThrEE you take three Mathematics modules
Entry requirements for joint and major/minor
(four if not taking symbolic logic) and four options programmes appear with the lead department
from wide range of Philosophy topics. (main entry for the programme).