Cambridge University has a strong link to Philosophy – Russell and Moore et al worked here during the 1900s, and their work still survives in the modern world. This course deliberately brings the analytic tradition in conjunction with ancient philosophy to create a course that spans as much philosophical history as possible. They have links with several parallel departments, meaning that you can take papers that draw links with other subject disciplines including Classics and Natural Sciences.
The first year of the three-year course is designed to place everyone on an even footing – it provides a broad overview of philosophy in order to bring those who have never studied the subject before up to speed. You take five mandatory papers in formal methods, metaphysics, and ethics, as well as a set of core literature.
Your second year allows you to specialise a bit more in your own interests. You will have to take two core papers but can also select three further subjects. Some of these subjects are extensions of your first year papers, but new options include the ones with a historical, classical, or natural sciences focus. The course offers students the ability to replace one of their end-of-year written assessments with two extended essays, submitted as coursework.
In your final year, you have complete freedom to choose all four papers. These rotate every year, but previous topics have included mathematics, logic, aesthetics, Kant, and the Middle Ages. You may also be able to take papers from parallel courses. You might decide to replace one of your exams in these with two extended essays, as in your second year; additionally, you have the option of submitting a dissertation in lieu of one of these four papers.
Philosophy is a small course with an intake of 50 students per year. The faculty also has a balanced number of female and male students. Philosophy A-Level (or equivalent) is not required for this course, though you might find it helpful to make sure that you have a mix of arts and STEM subjects – Mathematics and an essay subject would prepare you well. A significant portion of graduates usually continue to postgraduate degrees. This course encourages you to develop evaluative and creative skills which are useful for a variety of sectors, including commerce, tech, journalism, media and finance.
