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Philosophy

A Level

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Availability & Details

Philosophy - A Level HF1-PHILAL/C01

Venue
Havant Campus

Type of study
A Levels

Dates
(2 years)

Examination board
AQA Education

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Overview

If you choose to study Philosophy, you will develop your critical thinking skills as well as a host of transferrable skills that universities and employers value, such as close reading, clear writing, and logical analysis.

Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English Language and Mathematics.

As a Philosophy student, you are required to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the content, including through the use of philosophical analysis (conceptual analysis and argument analysis).

You will also be able to analyse and evaluate the philosophical arguments within the subject content to form reasoned judgements. In doing this, you will:

  • Understand the ways in which philosophers have analysed the core concepts of philosophy and be able to identify how subtle differences in analyses can have wider impacts on philosophical arguments
  • Understand the main philosophical arguments within topics, through the works of philosophers, and articulate those arguments in appropriate forms, correctly, clearly and precisely
  • Understand the philosophical claims which are made within each topic and be able to articulate those claims correctly, clearly and precisely. Students must also articulate how those claims might relate to other topic areas
  • Understand the ways in which philosophical arguments are developed, issues are raised, and arguments are reformulated in response to those issues
  • Understand the similarities and differences inbetween the forms of reasoning used in different philosophical content areas, including the similarities and differences between different kinds of knowledge
  • Generate responses using appropriate philosophical formats, to a range of philosophical questions. These responses must include: articulating definitions; articulating arguments and counter-arguments; and selecting, applying and evaluating appropriate material to generate your own arguments.

You will be assessed through essays, presentations and examinations at the end of the second year.

Employers and universities value critical thinking, presentation skills, problem solving and debate and discussion skills. Career opportunities could involve progression into university and into careers such as journalism, writing, editing or becoming a professional research philosopher.


“HSDC provided me with the opportunity for autonomous study and the choice of subjects that I wanted to study, which helped me develop relevant knowledge as well as relevant skills for the workplace.”

Lucas Ratcliffe, A Level and CTEC student

My courses were all especially interesting, I thoroughly enjoyed all of them. All of my lecturers were extremely knowledgeable and I have learnt a lot from them.

Lottie Warren, A Level student

My experience at the college has been really good, it’s been really rewarding, all the lecturers were so lovely and supportive there’s no way I could have done it without them - the teaching has been outstanding.

Lucie Brooks, A Level student