Durham University - Undergraduate Pre-application Open Day
26 Jun 2026, 08:00
Durham
Course summary
Course details
Gain a deeper understanding of this complex world and change your outlook on life with this ancient and fascinating intellectual discipline. Philosophy at Durham covers many of the profound and important questions that arise in all areas of human life.
The study of philosophy confronts profound and important questions that arise in all areas of human life – questions such as ‘What does a flourishing human life look like?’ When you choose a philosophy degree, you are embarking on a course which will equip you with the skills needed to think carefully and deeply about what matters in a good life, and how individual happiness is related to friendships, relationships, family, society, the political system and culture.
Why Durham University?
Amongst the most prestigious departments in the UK, at Durham we pride ourselves on our excellence in teaching and research and we are committed to the pursuit of philosophical knowledge and understanding.
Our distinctive, research-led approach to learning means that our undergraduate courses are constantly shaped in line with research and to reflect contemporary study in the area.
Undergraduate students are invited to attend the Department’s extensive programme of research-related activities, including weekly lectures and seminars, many of which are given by renowned UK and overseas philosophers. Recent visitors have included Amie Thomasson, Noam Chomsky and Peter Singer.
Rankings
World Top 30 in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2024
Top 10 in The Guardian University Guide 2025
Top 10 in The Complete University Guide 2025
Careers Opportunities
Philosophical training will equip you with a range of theoretical and transferable skills, including critical thinking, problem solving, communication, project management, presenting and researching, that will be of value to employers across a range of industries.
Our graduates work in a vast range of employment sectors worldwide, including law, the Civil Service and politics, management, public relations, teaching, journalism, media and publishing, marketing, retail and business, IT and financial services. Examples of recent employers include Penguin, Random House Publishing, Save the Children, Amnesty International and The Guardian.
Modules
For current information please scroll to the bottom of the page for Provider Information and select Visit our Course Page under Course Contact Details.
Assessment method
Assessment varies by module, but may typically include essays, examinations and some will involve a combination of the two. In your final year, you will submit a dissertation, which allows you to explore in depth a topic of your choice.
In addition to the help provided by your subject lecturers, you can also access extensive support for your assessments through ASC, the Academic Skills Centre. See below for details: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/centres/academic-skills-centre/
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Durham City
Study options
- BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years
Start dates
- 28 September 2026
Apply by
14 January
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Application codes
- Course code:
- V500
- Institution code:
- D86
- Campus name:
- Durham City
- Campus Code:
- O
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Durham University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
Apply by
14 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- V500
- Institution code:
- D86
- Campus name:
- Durham City
- Campus Code:
- O
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Durham has a long and proud history of welcoming students from countries across the globe. For further details please visit: https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/international/
International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year. For further details please visit: https://www.durhamisc.com/programmes/international-foundation-year
Chat to student ambassadors
Discover what it's like to study Philosophy at Durham University: insights on the course, making friends, personal statement tips, uni prep, and recommended books, podcasts, and videos.
POWERED BY 
Entry requirements
UCAS Tariff Not accepted
A level AAA
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) DDD
Other BTEC level 3 qualifications are also accepted in combination with each other or with other qualifications. See our website for more information on our BTEC qualification equivalencies.
Access to HE Diploma D: 30 credits M: 15 credits
Scottish Higher AAAAB
We normally make offers based on Advanced Highers. If you’ve not been able to take three Advanced Highers, then we’ll consider a combination of Advanced Highers and Highers, or just Highers (if your school doesn’t offer Advanced Highers at all).
Scottish Advanced Higher AAA
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 37 points
To include 6, 6, 6 from Higher Level subjects
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024) Not accepted
Extended Project Not accepted
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) H2, H2, H2, H2, H2
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma DDD
Other level 3 Cambridge Technical qualifications are also accepted in combination with each other or with other qualifications. See our website for more information on our Cambridge technical qualification equivalencies.
T Level
T levels will be considered on a case-by-case basis where the subject area aligns with the course applied to. Please note that additional A levels or equivalent may be required to study certain courses.
If you’re interested in applying, then please Ask Us and we’ll see if we’re able to consider this for you:
www.durham.ac.uk/study/ask-us/
Where a course requires subject specific knowledge and this is not covered within the T level being studied, you may need to supplement your T level studies with a suitable qualification to meet this requirement, for example at A level. Where this is needed this will be clearly stated in our entry requirements.
If you’re taking other qualifications not listed above, please check our qualification pages to see if we accept these: www.durham.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/how-to-apply/entry-requirements/
If you have a non-standard academic profile, then ask us about it here:
www.durham.ac.uk/study/ask-us/
Deferred entry is considered on a case-by-case basis where applicants have exceptional circumstances. If you’d like to apply for deferred entry, please ask us about it before applying:
www.durham.ac.uk/study/ask-us/
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | with no component under 6.0 |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 92 | with no component under 23 |
Acceptable evidence and levels required can be viewed by visiting the link below under English Language requirements.
You should be able to demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency before the start of a programme of study, whether via the submission of an appropriate English language qualification or by attendance on an appropriate pre-sessional course.
For more information on pre-sessional courses please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/pre-sessional-english-language-required/
English Language requirements https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
Contextual Offer:
A level Grades BBB or equivalent
Historical entry grades data
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
The tuition fees for 2026/27 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed on the www.durham.ac.uk/study website once approved.
The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full-time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.
Durham University will charge home rate tuition fees up to the maximum allowed by the UK Government. Should the UK Government choose to increase the maximum tuition fee allowed in the second and subsequent years of your course, Durham University will raise tuition fees in line with UK Government policy and approvals, subject to an inflationary cap, but at no time more than 10-15% of your total tuition fees.
There may also be additional course costs for things like books (if you want to purchase them), field trips etc.
Sponsorship information
Durham University offers a range of scholarship opportunities to academically well-qualified and highly motivated students. For further details, including deadlines for application, please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/scholarships/
Course contact details
Recruitment and Admissions Office
Phone:0191 334 1000
Durham University
The Palatine Centre
Stockton Road
Durham
DH1 3LE
Related courses
At Durham University
Like this page