Reader in Philosophy
School of History, Religions and Philosophies
BA Global Philosophy and ...
You are viewing:
Key information
Key information
- Duration
- 3 or 4 years
- Start of programme
- September
- Attendance mode
- Full-time
- Location
- On Campus
- Fees
-
Home: £9,535
International: £23,780 - Entry requirements
-
ABB
Contextual: BBB
-
Austria: Reifeprufungszeugnis / Maturazeugnis: four subjects at 1, 2, 2, 2
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB -
Belgium: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs: 75% (7.5/10, 15/20) overall
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBBInformation for prospective students from Belgium
-
Bulgaria: Diploma za Zavarsheno Sredno Obrazovanie: 5.3 and 5.0 in two State Maturity Exams
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB -
Canada: High School Diploma: 80% with 5 acceptable Grade 12 subjects (most territories).
British Columbia: AABBB in Grade 12 courses.A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBBInformation for prospective students from Canada
-
China: Senior Secondary Graduation Certificate + Gaokao: 78% overall in Gaokao PLUS 85% overall in Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate (year 11 and 12)
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBBInformation for prospective students from China
-
Croatia: Matura Certificate: 4.5 overall with 5 in 1 Higher level subject
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB -
Cyprus: Apolytirion with 2 A-Levels: Apolytirion 18/20 + A-level grades BB
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB -
Czech Republic: Matura Certificate: 1, 2, 2, 2
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB -
Denmark: Studentereksamen; Hojere Forberedelseseksamen; Hojere Handelseksamen; Hojere Teknisk Eksamen: 7 plus 10, 7, 7 in three Level A subjects
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBBInformation for prospective students from Denmark
-
Estonia: Gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus with the Riigieksamitunnistus: 4.0 with 85%, 80%, and 80% in 3 state exams
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB -
Finland: Ylioppilastukint / Studentexamen: four subjects at 6, 5, 5, 5
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB -
France: French Baccalaureat or Option Internationale du Baccalauréat (OIB): 13/20
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBBInformation for prospective students from France
-
Germany: Abitur: 1.8
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBBInformation for prospective students from Germany
-
Greece: Apolytirion of Geniko Lykeio with Pan Hellenic exams: 18/20
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBBInformation for prospective students from Greece
-
Hong Kong: Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education: 544 in two electives and one core (all other subjects grade 3)
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBBInformation for prospective students from Hong Kong
-
Hungary: Matura (Erettségi): 4.5 overall
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB -
Iceland: Stúdentspróf: 7.5
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB -
India: Standard XII: 75% (CBSE, CISCE, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra & West Bengal boards), 80% (all other state boards)
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBBInformation for prospective students from India
-
Ireland: Irish Leaving Certificate: H1, H2, H2, H3, H3
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB -
Israel: Bagrut: Overall grade of 7, 80% with 3 subjects at 5-unit level
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBBInformation for prospective students from Israel
-
Italy: Diploma Consequito con L’Esame di Stato: 80% overall
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBBInformation for prospective students from Italy
-
Latvia: Certificate of General Secondary Education: 88% in four State subject exams
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB -
Lithuania: Brandos Atestatas: 8.5/10 and 90%, 85%, 85% in three State Exam
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBBInformation for prospective students from Lithuania
-
Malta: Advanced Matriculation Certificate: AB (Advanced) + BBB (Intermediate)
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB -
Netherlands: Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs: 7.5 overall with 8, 8, 7, 7 in four subjects
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB -
Norway: Vitnemål vidergaende opplaering: 4.3 overall
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBBInformation for prospective students from Norway
-
Poland: New Polish Matura: 75% in three Advanced Level subjects
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBBInformation for prospective students from Poland
-
Portugal: Diploma de Ensino Secundario: overall 17.5/20
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB -
Romania: Diploma de Bacalaureat: 8.5 overall
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBBInformation for prospective students from Romania
-
Singapore: Polytechnic Diploma (Nanyang, Ngee Ann, Singapore, Temasek and Republic Polytechnic): GPA 3.3
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBBInformation for prospective students from Singapore
-
Slovakia: Maturitná skúška / Maturita / Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške: four subjects at 1, 2, 2, 2
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB -
South Africa: National Senior Certificate: 77666
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBBInformation for prospective students from South Africa
-
Spain: Curso de Orientación Universitaria / Título de Bachillerato: 7.5
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBBInformation for prospective students from Spain
-
Sweden: Slutbetyg / Examensbevis från Gymnasieskolan: A in 1200 credits and no grades below D / 18 / mainly B overall (MVG/VG)
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB -
Switzerland: Federal Maturity Certificate: 4.5
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB -
Tanzania: Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education: ACSE with BBB in 3 principle subjects
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB -
Trinidad and Tobago: CAPE: Six CAPE units with grade 2 (+two double-unit courses)
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB -
Turkey: Lise Diplomasi: 78-83% (depending on high school)
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB -
USA: High School Diploma plus ACT, SAT, or AP exams:
-
High School Diploma GPA 3.0 plus SAT 1280 or ACT 27 and 2 AP's at 4,4
or -
High School Diploma GPA of 3.2 plus 2 AP's at 4,4
or -
High School Diploma GPA 3.4 plus SAT 1300 or ACT 29
or -
2-year Associate degree GPA 3.1
A Level equivalent: ABB
Contextualised offer: BBB -
-
See undergraduate entry requirements and English language requirements for international and alternative entry requirements.
Course overview
Philosophy has been a significant activity in every society for several thousand years.
It is a basic aspect of all human cultures to ask “big questions” about the fundamental nature of reality, about what it is to be human, what constitutes a good life, beauty, justice, knowledge, and how to confront and resolve ethical quandaries.
The BA Global Philosophy and... combined degree is one of the only programmes in the world to provide the opportunity to ask these questions and examine answers from a global, cross-cultural, and decolonial perspective. This degree offers rigorous training in the epistemological standpoints, moral philosophical approaches, metaphysical systems, and socio-political thought of a range of Global North and Global South traditions in dialogue with each other. Because of this, the BA Global Philosophy and ... programme at SOAS is truly unique and state-of-the-art.
In addition to the ability to think critically and rigorously, studying philosophical traditions from Asia, Africa, the Middle East in dialogue with Continental European and Anglophone traditions enables you to take a broad and comprehensive view of the world and to think more deeply, sensitively, and insightfully about humanity, (in)justice, ethics, and real-world problems.
Why study BA Global Philosophy and... at SOAS?
- SOAS is ranked top 20 in the UK for Arts and Humanities (QS World University Rankings 2025)
- We are ranked top 10 in the UK for Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies (QS World University Rankings 2025)
- We are ranked top 10 in the UK for Research Quality (Complete University Guide Subject League Tables 2026)
- BA World Philosophies scored above sector in the following categories: teaching quality, learning opportunities, assessment & feedback (NSS 2024)
- We are home to the world’s first ever Decolonising Philosophy Curriculum Toolkit and Handbook
- Our average 20/21 Graduate Outcome Departmental score is 82.85% (HESA)
Study Abroad
Students are able to apply for the optional year abroad in their second year of studies at SOAS. Students will be invited to information sessions about how to apply during their second year of studies by the Study Abroad team. Student applications are considered on academic merit and a personal statement and are subject to availability. Students need to have achieved 55% or higher in their first year of studies to be eligible. For further details, visit the Study Abroad section of our website.
Use our combined courses tool to see a breakdown of course structure
Key information set data
Teaching and learning
The BA Global Philosophy and ... is examined through written and oral examinations and coursework. In addition, the Independent Study Project (ISP) in year 3 facilitates supervised student research in a prominent topic or debate in the field of World Philosophies.
Contact hours
Most courses involve a 50- 100-minute lecture as a key component with linked tutorial classes.
SOAS Library
SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.
Fees and funding
Fees for 2026/27 entrants per academic year
| Programme | Full-time | |
|---|---|---|
| Home students | Overseas students | |
| BA, BSc, LLB | £9,535 | £23,780 |
| BA/BSc Language year abroad | £1,425 | £11,770 |
See undergraduate fees for further details.
Employment
Graduates from the Department of Religions and Philosophies develop the skills to analyse and communicate ideas in a clear, and comprehensive manner. A degree in philosophy is highly regarded by employers of many kinds. Philosophy teaches the student how to analyse and communicate ideas in a clear, rational and comprehensive manner.
Students of philosophy learn solid argumentation skills and critical analysis: they learn how to learn, how to think, and how to communicate their ideas effectively and persuasively. Graduates develop into well-rounded, mature, thoughtful and articulate employees. The skills of vision, creativity and analytical power being developed through the study of philosophy are key proficiencies which are valuable in many careers and are transferable to a wide range of sectors and roles
Find out about our Careers Service.
