What is A Level Philosophy?

If you enjoyed GCSE Religious Studies (RS) and want to know more about life’s big questions, A Level Philosophy (opens in a new tab) could be for you.

Currently only offered by AQA, A Level Philosophy examines both secular and religious elements of philosophy.

This guide explains what the course covers, how it's examined, and whether it's right for you.

Key Takeaways

• AQA is currently the only exam board offering A Level Philosophy as a standalone qualification. Other exam boards like Pearson Edexcel, OCR and WJEC Eduqas only offer the Philosophy of Religion as a component of A Level RS

• You'll study epistemology, moral philosophy, metaphysics of God and metaphysics of mind

• Assessment is two equally-weighted written papers (50% each)

• There are no prior learning requirements, but a strong GCSE English grade helps

What is A Level Philosophy?

A Level Philosophy gives you the chance to discuss some of life’s biggest questions, such as ‘what is knowledge?’, ‘what makes an action good?’ and ‘does God exist?’. You’ll also engage with the ideas of world-renowned philosophers, including Plato, Aristotle and Kant.

It comes under Humanities in the list of A Level subjects.

What you'll study

AQA A Level Philosophy consists of four topic areas:

1. Epistemology – the study of knowledge

2. Moral philosophy – the study of what’s good, bad, right and wrong

3. Metaphysics of God – the concept and nature of God, arguments relating to God’s existence and religious language

4. Metaphysics of mind – a study of what the mind is, including its relationship to the brain

How A Level Philosophy is assessed

AQA uses the following assessment structure:

What grades are available?

A Level Philosophy is graded using the standard A Level grade scale: A*–E. However, in practice, most universities require a minimum of a C grade at A Level.

Is A Level Philosophy hard?

Though A Level Philosophy is generally not listed among the hardest A Levels, some students find it difficult.

The extensive list of set texts, abstract topics (like metaphysics of mind) and the 25-mark essay exam questions can all be challenging.

You’ll likely find it easier if you have strong essay-writing skills, or if you’re taking essay-based subjects with a similar level of required reading and writing (such as A Level English Literature or History).

Is A Level Philosophy right for you?

If you enjoy essay-based subjects and debating life’s biggest questions, A Level Philosophy is truly worth considering.

If you prefer subjects with less writing and more clear, right-or-wrong answers, it’s probably not for you.

Take a look at our past papers to get an idea what you can expect from the two exams.

How to prepare for A Level Philosophy

Alongside our guide to preparing for A Levels after GCSE, below are some practical, tried-and-tested strategies you can use to prepare for A Level Philosophy:

• Get to know some of the most famous philosophers, including Plato and Aristotle

• Start reading the set texts listed on the specification (opens in a new tab)

• If you haven’t already, watch The Good Place on Netflix – not only is it a great TV show, but it also explores ideas of moral philosophers like Jeremy Bentham and Immanuel Kant!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to have studied philosophy before to take A Level Philosophy?

No, as the course has no prior learning requirements.

That being said, GCSE RS is helpful content-wise (especially for the metaphysics of God topic) and a strong grade in GCSE English will make the essay writing side more manageable.

Which exam boards offer A Level Philosophy?

AQA is currently the only exam board offering A Level Philosophy as a standalone qualification. Other exam boards like Pearson Edexcel, OCR and WJEC Eduqas only offer the Philosophy of Religion as a component of A Level RS.

What can I do at university with A Level Philosophy?

It's well-regarded for humanities degrees like History, as well as Law, English, Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) and Theology.

Is A Level Philosophy harder than A Level RS?

Not necessarily; it all depends on your strengths.

You’ll likely find A Level Philosophy harder if you struggle with abstract topics like metaphysics. A Level RS is more religion-focused, but both cover topics like moral philosophy/ethics and the nature of God.

Is A Level Philosophy good for law?

Yes. Though it’s not required, Law admissions tutors value A Level Philosophy as a subject that trains argumentation and written precision.