How to Apply for Philosophy in the UK (UCAS Guide)

Hello! I’m Joshua Yen, host of the Philosophy for All podcast and a master’s student at the University of Oxford studying Philosophical Theology (MPhil). This post kicks off a practical series on how to apply to study philosophy in the UK. This aims to help students get to grips with the UCAS system as well as help students apply for straight Philosophy and for joint degrees like Philosophy & Theology, PPE, Philosophy & Linguistics, and more.

1) UCAS in one minute: the five choices strategy

UCAS lets you apply to up to five courses. Build a balanced list:

• Reaches – the aspirational choices (for many, this might include Oxbridge).
• Matches – strong fits for your current profile.
• Safety – at least one option you’d be happy to attend if others don’t work out.

Think of this as a portfolio: ambition, realism, and a backup.

2) Single vs joint honours: pick for interest as well as prestige

Your choice here shapes everything else.

• Oxford: at undergraduate level, philosophy is offered with another subject (e.g., PPE, Philosophy & Theology, Philosophy & Modern Languages, Psychology, Philosophy & Linguistics).
• Cambridge: you can apply for BA Philosophy as a single honours degree.

Ask yourself: do you want pure philosophy, or philosophy plus theology/politics/economics/linguistics/psychology? UK degrees are specialised; if you dislike half of a joint course, it will feel limiting. Choose the route that reflects your genuine curiosity.

3) Shortlist universities by what they actually teach

Don’t pick by name alone—look at course pages, paper/module lists, and faculty interests.

• Expect core areas like general philosophy, logic, and history of philosophy (Plato/Aristotle, early modern, Kant), plus options in ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, mind, political philosophy, aesthetics, philosophy of science/maths, etc.
• Departments differ in style and strengths. For example, Warwick is often noted for continental philosophy, while Oxford/Cambridge are typically analytic-leaning on the philosophy side.
• Use the prospectus as a map of likely offerings and sample a primary text linked to required papers (e.g., read Republic if Plato is on the syllabus). This helps you decide where to apply and later signals genuine engagement in your personal statement and interviews.

This will help you understand more about the programs that you are applying to and help you see what aligns most with your research interests and future aspirations.

4) What you may need to submit

a) Personal statement

Show how you think philosophically, not just that you “like thinking.”

• Mention 2–3 substantial readings and what you learned. For example: a debate about the cosmological argument in philosophy of religion; Popper on the open society in political philosophy; Kant on transcendental idealism in early modern/epistemology.
• Draw out the questions those readings sparked for you.
• Avoid name-dropping lists—provide a narrative of the ideas you engage with, not a list of the books which contain those ideas.

b) Interview (mainly Oxbridge)

Interviews are guided conversations testing your reasoning process. Think aloud, ask clarifying questions, accept objections, and revise your view when appropriate.

c) Written work

Some universities, especially Oxbridge, ask for a teacher-marked essay or a equivalent written work to test your writing skills. It is particularly important to demonstrate the ability to clearly present your ideas in writing.

d) Subject test (Oxford)

Expect a philosophy admissions test sampling argument analysis, summarising an argument, a short philosophical essay, and some logic. It targets exactly the skills tutors want to see. I’ll cover preparation in a dedicated video/post.

Note: Requirements vary by course/college and can change—always double-check the latest guidance on the department’s website.

For a full breakdown:

Further Tools

We hope you enjoyed this short read and found the information on the blog and the video helpful. For personalised feedback and university guidance, we also provide a plethora of university application services here.