Philosophy

Philosophy is the study of fundamental problems about the nature of knowledge and reality, consciousness and free will, personal identity, language and logic, and about our moral and political ideas. At Cambridge, it is studied in a way that 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 skills in reasoning that will enable them to tackle problems of a philosophical character and to think intelligently about abstract questions generally.

Philosophy is one of Cambridge’s smaller subjects. In recent years, we have admitted two undergraduates a year to read Philosophy at Magdalene. Across all years they form a friendly and close-knit community, alongside students from the full range of other arts, humanities, and social science subjects.

More details of the course and the optional papers available can be found on the University’s Undergraduate Study pages and the Faculty of Philosophy website.

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 mathematics which emphasise rigorous, logical 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 it is not expected that students will have had any formal teaching in philosophy before reading the subject at Cambridge, and the first year of the Philosophy course is taught on the assumption that they have not done so. Any combination of arts and science A-levels is welcome.

There are no set subject requirements to apply for Philosophy, although the study of Mathematics at A-level or equivalent can be a useful preparation for logic, which is a compulsory part of the course.

Minimum Offer 

A-level: A*AA 

IB: 41-42 points overall, with 7,7,6 at Higher Level.

Other qualifications: Check which other qualifications we accept 

Candidates will normally have one interview of about 40-45 minutes. 

The interview process aims to assess your intellectual ability, potential, and commitment to the subject.

We do not require a written work submission for this subject.

There is no admissions assessment for Philosophy at Magdalene.

More information is available on the Interviews, Written Work and Assessments page.