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Key details

Course area
A Levels
Student types
16 - 18 coursesA Levels
Course type
A Level course
Course level
Level 3
Start date
Tuesday 1st September 2026
Location
High Pavement Sixth Form Chaucer Street, Nottingham, NG1 5LP
Course code
Parent course code:C000450 Child course code: Q034655
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Course introduction

Philosophy is about asking, and attempting to answer, fundamental questions such as

  • What is knowledge?
  • Do we see the world as it is, or is our perception of the world misleading?
  • Does God exist and what is the problem of evil?
  • What is the nature of mind and can we explain the mental purely in terms of the physical?
  • What is moral goodness, and what is the nature of moral language?

This engaging and thought-provoking course helps you to develop knowledge and understanding of the content, including through the use of philosophical analysis (conceptual analysis and argument analysis).

The course covers:

  • Epistemology (what is knowledge):
    • The Tripartite view
    • Perception
    • Direct/Indirect Realism
    • Idealism
    • Reason
    • Innatism
    • Empiricism
    • Intuition/deduction thesis
    • Limits of Knowledge
    • Scepticism
    • Reliablism
  • Moral Philosophy
    • Utilitarianism
    • Moral realism/anti realism
    • Meta ethics
    • Applied Ethics
    • Aristole Virtue ethics
    • Kantian Deontological ethics
  • Metaphysics of God
    • Ontological and teleological arguments for the existence of God
    • Cosmological arguments and the problem of evil
    • Religious language
  • Metaphysics of Mind
    • Dualist theories
    • Physical theories
    • Functionalism

By the end of the course you will be able to analyse and evaluate the philosophical arguments within the subject content to form reasoned judgements. As a result, the course blends well when combined with other A Levels such as Psychology, Sociology, Law and English Literature, and even some of our science subjects such as Physics and Biology.

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You will be encouraged to participate in a 30-hour work placement while you are studying.

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Course information

2 years

AQA A Level Philosophy

  • To study 3 A Levels you’ll need at least 5 GCSE’s at grades 9-4 including GCSE English Language at grade 6 and GCSE Maths at grade 4 or above
  • To study 4 A Levels you’ll need at least 6 GCSE’s at grades 9-7 including GCSE English Language and GCSE Maths at grade 7 or above

The programme of study is for 2 years, and you will be expected to be achieving a minimum of grade D in all subject assessments by the end of year 1 to progress to your 2nd year.

Applicants with predicted GCSE grades 1 or 2 points below the entry requirement for an A Level:

If your predicted grades do not meet the entry requirements for either 1 or 2 of your chosen A Level subject choices, don’t worry we will still make you a conditional offer. We advise that you think about a second choice of course as a back-up plan. You can meet with us for a supportive, friendly and impartial discussion to look at other courses that Nottingham College has to offer. For more information contact High Pavement Sixth Form admissions by telephone on 0115 9100 100 or email at feadmissions@nottinghamcollege.ac.uk

Two exams lasting three hours each consisting of a combination short answer and extended writing.

Assessment objectives:

  • AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the core concepts and methods of philosophy, including through the use of philosophical analysis
  • AO2: Analyse and evaluate philosophical arguments to form reasoned judgements.

A Level Philosophy hones your skills of analysis and your ability to construct solid arguments. These transferable skills make it ideal preparation for most academic university courses and job training schemes. In particular Law, Politics and the Social Sciences.

Students aged 16-18 don't have to pay tuition fees.

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss National, please visit our EU Settled Status scheme page for more information.

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Careers related to this course

Select career:

Social and Humanities Scientists

Potential Earnings

£51,247.78

Average Earnings

£30,684.87

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Pathways

Mathematics and Social Sciences

People in these occupations study mathematical methods, apply mathematics to solve problems, and study and describe human society.

Skills

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
View more about this career

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