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A-level PhilosophyApply Now »
Note - you only need to make one application for A-levels. You can specify the additional A-Levels you wish to study when you fill out the application form
Location: Joseph Wright Centre
Years: 2
24+ Loan Amount: 1987.00****
Interview: Y
Course Summary
What do you know and why do you know it? What is right and wrong and how should we decide? Who are we and why are we here? Philosophy seeks to address these fundamental questions of truth and falsehood, right and wrong, what is it to be a God and what is it to be human.
For this subject, students are enabled to access ideas of western philosophical thinking by uncovering assumption and discussing alternatives. Students will develop the capability to make knowledgeable decisions by examining the consequences of actions and enhancing their ability to write and communicate clearly and effectively.
Entry requirements
You will need a minimum of five GCSEs at grade C equivalent or above, including English at grade 5 and Maths at grade 4.
You will have an interview and initial assessment. Parents and carers are welcome to attend the interview but not the initial assessment. If you are successful, you will be allocated a place to study.
To progress to the second year, you will need to demonstrate a Pass grade or above in your first year.
Course Content
Epistemology
- What is knowledge?
- Perception as a source of knowledge
- Reason as a source of knowledge
- The limits of knowledge
Moral Philosophy
- Utilitarianism
- Kantian deontological ethics
- Aristotelian virtue ethics
- Applied Ethics
- Meta-ethics
Metaphysics of God
- The concept and nature of ‘God’
- Arguments relating to the existence of God
- Religious Language
Metaphysics of Mind
- What do we mean by ‘mind’?
- Dualist theories
- Physicalist theories
- Functionalism
How will I be assessed?
Both the first and second year are assessed via two three-hour examinations at the end of the second year. Both exams account for 50% of the overall A-level qualification.
Are there any additional costs or specialist equipment required?
No
What can I do after this course?
Philosophy is the ultimate "transferable work skill." With its emphasis on reason and argumentation, philosophy is an excellent preparation for a career in law, religion, business, international diplomacy, social work, medical management or writing as well as undergraduate education.
Jobs directly related to philosophy, after further study, could include:
- A further education teacher
- Higher education lecturer
- Secondary school teacher
Jobs where knowledge of philosophy could be useful include:
- Barrister
- Civil Service fast streamer
- Health service manager
- Local government officer
- Marketing executive
- Newspaper journalist
- Psychotherapist
- Recruitment consultant
- Solicitor
- Stockbroker
Note - you only need to make one application for A-levels. You can specify the additional A-Levels you wish to study when you fill out the application form
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Abbey Sisson
“Amazing” diploma offered more than sixth form for audiologist Abbey
As a teenager Royal Derby Hospital audiologist Abbey Sisson wanted to find “something different” after her GCSEs.
She had achieved As to Cs but was unsure about taking A levels because she wasn’t a natural at exams. She wanted to find a different direction and, on a whim, popped into an open day at Broomfield Hall.
Abbey liked what she found – she made friends immediately – and was impressed by the Level 3 Public Services Uniformed Extended Diploma. It offered coursework modules, the equivalent of three A levels and “loads of opportunities” which helped her CV for job applications.
Abbey passed with a distinction and almost immediately after College landed a job as an emergency department assistant at the Royal Derby Hospital. Finding no clear career path there, she applied internally and went on to work in audiology as an assistant.
While there, she devoted her spare time, doing work placement on her days off, to achieve a foundation degree and a first-class BSc Healthcare Science Audiology degree at Aston University. Now a qualified audiologist at the Royal Derby, Abbey said her time at College helped her into the workplace.
I was keen to do something different, and it really was different – it was amazing. I don’t think I would ever have had so many opportunities if I’d gone into the sixth form. We volunteered in schools, doing sports leadership, as well as stewarding for events too. We had loads of opportunities. Because of the course, when I came to apply for jobs, I had a lot to say.
