A Level Philosophy
Enrol Anytime | Enrolment Fee £445
Open the door to a career in philosophy by exploring fundamental questions about knowledge, ethics, society and human existence helping you to secure a spot in higher education or the workplace.
- Awarding Bodies: AQA
- Learning Hours: Full A Level: 360 Study Hours
- Flexible Fast Track Available
- Full A Level Qualification
Overview
Would you like to progress your education through distance learning? An online A Level Philosophy course can open doors to a rewarding career in multiple industries. The programme with Learn Now provides the same fully recognised qualification you would achieve if attending mainstream college but giving you the flexibility to learn at your own pace.
If you are an adult learner, a student resitting exams, or someone juggling studies with work and family, this could work perfectly. The course is designed to suit many lifestyles and upon successful completion, you will earn up to 56 UCAS points to support your progression to university. This qualification will provide a stepping stone for highly sought-after degree programmes, such as Philosophy, Law, Politics, International Relations, Ethics, Theology and Education.
Choose Your Specification
The specification on offer is available to UK learners only. International learners wouldn’t be able to complete this subject but can choose from a wide range of International subjects.
- AQA (7172) (UK Learners Only)
Begin your journey with Learn Now and let us help you secure a place at university or your dream career.
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Enrol Anytime | Enrolment Fee £445
Select your course type from the dropdown below. Choose A Level if you are studying the full two-year syllabus. Alternatively, select IAS or IA2 either just the first or second years content.
AQA A Level Philosophy
Specification Code: 7172
This A’ Level Philosophy course will give you a thorough grounding in key concepts and methods of philosophy. You will have the opportunity to engage with big questions in a purely secular context.
The course will teach you to be clear and precise in your thinking and writing. You will engage with complex texts, analysing and evaluating the arguments of others and constructing and defending your own arguments.
For this subject we do not offer the AS Level as a standalone qualification. If you decide to enrol onto this course, you would need to complete the Full A Level.
Year Two Content
Epistemology
Epistemology studies knowledge. You will attempt to work out what knowledge is, how we gain it and how reliable it is. Epistemology helps us to understand how reliable our beliefs are, how science and evidence works and how individuals interpret reality.
- What is knowledge
- Perception as a source of knowledge
- Reason as a source of knowledge
- The limits of knowledge.
Moral Philosophy
Moral philosophy studies behaviour that is right and wrong. You will gain an understanding of how humans should act, why actions are morally good or bad and what moral statements mean. Philosophers study different ways of judging actions and try to work out the process for making moral decisions.
- Normative ethical theories
- Applied ethics
- Meta-ethics.
Metaphysics of God
This topic explores the nature of reality and existence. You will explore whether God exists, what God would be if He exists, and what God means to humans.
- The concept and nature of ‘God’
- Arguments relating to the existence of God
- Religious language
Metaphysics of Mind
This topic will explore the nature of the mind and its relationship to the body and the physical world. You will look into what the mind is exactly, whether it is separate from the body and whether machines or computers ever have minds.
- What do we mean by ‘mind’?
- Dualist theories
- Physicalist theories
- Functionalism
Students will be required to arrange and pay for their examinations at an AQA approved centre. We can provide an extensive list of these centres for you.
A Level Exams
There are two exams for the full Advanced Level qualification. The length of each exam is three hours long.
Course Outcome
On successful completion of all your exams, you will be awarded the following qualification:
A Level in Philosophy with AQA
Click here for more information about AQA and to be taken to their official website
Enrolment Fees
Our Enrolment fee for this course is noted at the top of this page where you can enrol directly onto the course. This fee includes access to your course including tutor support for 2 years.
Our enrolment fee includes:
- All study materials covering the full specification.
- Full support where you can also message your tutor as many times as you need to.
- Access to our online Library with a full range of eBooks.
- Help completing university applications including UCAS and The Common Application.
- Reference and predicted grade(s) for University.
- Assignment marking and feedback
- Marked and graded practise examination papers
- Eligibility for a Totum Card if you reside within the UK
- Fast Track A Level if required and flexible learning from home 24/7.
The only other fee you will need to pay is for your exams which is due approximately six months prior to the exam series and this will be paid directly to the exam centre. Please see our private candidate exam guide for more information.
Request More Information about A Level Philosophy
FAQs
Will I find this course hard?
This will depend on how comfortable you are with abstract thinking, reading and writing. For some learners, the subject can be challenging but not in the same way as subjects like maths or physics.
Learners will need to study areas such as epistemology, ethics and metaphysics. They will also need to produce some long essays remembering arguments and criticisms. Philosophy is an interesting subject which many learners find enjoyable.
Will I need to buy any books?
You will not be required to purchase any books with this course. We automatically include logins to our online e-Library which includes access to eBooks such as:
AQA Philosophy for AS and A Level – Michael Lacewing (Routledge)
Not see the book you are looking for? Ask us and we will let you know if we have it!
Which subjects should I study alongside this course?
Good subject combinations to take alongside Philosophy include:
- Politics & History – For degrees in Philosophy, PPE, Law and International Relations, Politics and History are great subject combinations. You will be able to explore political philosophy such as justice, freedom and authority along with the ethics of any government decisions made.
- Religious Studies – These combinations work well due to an overlap in relation to arguments for god, ethics and philosophy of religion. Pathways could lead onto Theology, Ethics and Law.
Can I study this course from outside the UK?
The AQA Philosophy course can only be taken within the UK and some British Overseas Territories. You will not be able to take Philosophy internationally.
What is the difference between AS and A Level?
AS and A levels are standalone qualifications, however the Full A Level carries more UCAS points than the AS Level. It also requires more study hours as follows:
- AS Level = 180 hours
- A Level = 360 hours
You will see the difference in the content above under ‘syllabus’ but you can also refer to our article on What is AS Level? for more information.
How long does the course take?
You will receive access and support for two years, however you can complete it much sooner if you want to. Exams for this subject fall as follows:
- AQA – May/June
We have more information on Exam Timetables here.
What can I do with A Level Philosophy
Students in the past have progressed onto the following degree courses:-
- Philosophy
- English studies
- Politics
- History
- Psychology
- Sociology
Studying this subject will fine-tune your reasoning so that your enhanced intellect can be applied to careers such as law, politics, the civil service, journalism, advertising and education.