Magdalene College, Cambridge

..... admissions /undergraduate /applying /subjects

Philosophy

Director of Studies:

Dr L Incurvati

Student Numbers

Magdalene expects to admit 1 or 2 students depending on the calibre of candidates. In addition, students occasionally change to Philosophy for Part 2. In the Faculty there are ca. 150 undergraduates and 40 postgraduates.

Bertrand Russell

Applicants

In recent years the University has received roughly 5 applications for every offer of a Philosophy place made.

The Course

Philosophy is the study of fundamental problems about the nature of knowledge and reality, and about our moral and political ideas. In universities it is studied in a way which lays considerable emphasis on very precise and careful argument. Although undergraduates in Cambridge read a wide range of philosophical authors, the main aim of the course is not to impart information about which author said what. Rather the aim is that students acquire the kind of skill in reasoning which will enable them to tackle problems of a philosophical character and to think intelligently about abstract questions generally.

'Undergraduates are typically expected to write one short essay each week and some idea of the philosophical topics studied can be got from a list of typical essay titles:

Is knowledge the same as justified true belief?
'Perception is the source of all our knowledge about the external world.' Is it?
Must every event have a cause?
Is the mind nothing but the brain?
'We are biological machines.' Does that imply that we lack free will?
Is reincarnation a logical possibility?
If God does not exist, does that have any implications for morality?
Does 'That's good!' just express an emotion or approval?
Is it everyone's duty to promote happiness?
What is the relation between justice and equality?
Does the notion of a human right make sense?
'This statement is false.' True or false?

Teaching and other arrangements

An undergraduate student will have a one-to-one supervision each week. The Faculty offers on average 12 lecture courses each term. In addition first-year students have regular discussion groups and logic classes; and there are regular discussion groups for second year students.

Subject Requirements

Since Philosophy is not usually taught in schools, it is not always easy for students to tell whether they are suited to the subject. If you enjoy marshalling arguments pro and con on general issues, if you enjoy puzzle-solving of various kinds, if you enjoy subjects like maths which emphasise rigorous thought, then you might well find that Philosophy is the right subject for you. But to get a real feel for the character of the subject, you need to read some Philosophy. Note, however, that is not expected that students will have had any formal teaching in Philosophy formally before reading the subject at Cambridge, and Part IA of the Philosophy Tripos is taught on the assumption that they have not done so. Students with A-levels in either Arts or Science subjects are equally acceptable. Philosophy at Cambridge can be studied for one year, or two, or three during your Cambridge course: it combines well with a variety of other subjects. Further details can be found in the Cambridge University Undergraduate Prospectus, and in the Faculty of Philosophy's Undergraduate Prospectus.

Typical Offer

A*AA at A2 level, assuming 3 or 4 subjects at A/S with good grades.

Deferred Entry

We are happy to consider students with good GAP year plans.

Re-applications

We consider candidates reapplying to Cambridge but strongly recommend that a candidate does not give up an offer at a good university to pursue a Cambridge application without careful thought.

Mature Students

Mature students are admitted from time to time, and usually find that they are successful and happy in their course. If you wish to be considered as a mature applicant for philosophy you should be engaged on or have recently completed a course such as A-level, OU or an Access course. If you are in any doubt about your preparation for a university course, or your choice of college, you are advised to contact us to discuss your individual circumstances before making your application.

Special Access

We encourage applicants from all types of school and college background and although the information about offers given above indicates a typical requirement, each candidate is looked at in the light of his or her individual circumstances.

Admissions Procedure:

All eligible candidates are interviewed by the Director of Studies in Philosophy and the Admissions Tutor or another Fellow not specialising in Philosophy. The purpose of the interview with the Director of Studies will be to assess attitude and enthusiasm for Philosophy. Essays will normally be required in advance of the interviews. There will also be a short written test to be completed when you come for interview. More information about the test (along with some sample questions) is available on the Faculty of Philosophy's website: http://www.phil.cam.ac.uk/pros_students/admissions_test.pdf

Overseas candidates not available for interview:

A short test may be set and/or essays requested. A test, if required, will be conducted via fax at a candidate's school.

Recommended Reading on Subject:

General introductions (in approximate order of difficulty)

Nigel Warburton, Philosophy: the Basics (Routledge). Basic!
Adam Morton, Philosophy in Practice (Blackwell). Wide ranging, 'interactive', question-raising book.
Thomas Nagel, What Does it All Mean? (OUP). Short, readable.
Simon Blackburn, Think (OUP). Readable and engaging.
Robert M. Martin, There are Two Errors in The The Title of This Book (Broadview Press). The subtitle is "A sourcebook of philosophical puzzles, paradoxes and problems". Intriguing if you can get hold of it.
Bertrand Russell, The Problems of Philosophy (OUP). A classic, nearly 100 years old but still readable.
John Hospers, An Introduction to Philosophical Analysis (4th edn, Routledge). A much used USA text.
J. Ayer, Language, Truth and Logic (Penguin). Another classic, this one from the 30s - skip the long introduction, and dive into Chapter One!
C. Grayling (ed.), Philosophy: A Guide Through the Subject (OUP). A weighty doorstop of a book - a recent multi-author effort, some parts more difficult than others, but overall quite excellent of its kind.

A more extensive list is avaible on the Philosophy Faculty's website at http://www.phil.cam.ac.uk/pros_students/reading_list_prosp_ugrads.pdf

June 2011