Philosophy is both a rewarding and challenging subject to study, especially at A level. It is also seen as an incredibly valuable A level by university admissions officers across the country.
Studying such a demanding A level should not be taken lightly. Succeeding in A level Philosophy requires not only creativity of abstract thought but also confidence in critical analysis, communication, essay writing and exam preparation. Propel your academic journey and fortify your understanding with top-tier A-Level Philosophy Tutors from The Profs, guiding you towards unmatched expertise and career possibilities.
Whether you’re a student looking to improve your grades or you’re a parent seeking guidance for your child, this article provides the recipe for success.
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Content:
- What to expect: Understanding the A level Philosophy curriculum
- Understanding the A level Philosophy exam format
- Is A level Philosophy harder or easier than GCSE Philosophy?
- Understanding grades: How many marks do you need to get an A or A* in A level Philosophy?
- What are the fundamental concepts of A level Philosophy?
- Identifying your strengths and weaknesses
- Brush up on your English and study Critical Thinking
- Complete past papers to boost your grades
- Make use of visual aids to improve your memory
- Explore Philosophy beyond your A level
- Teach what you’ve learned
- Benefit from our expert guidance in A level Philosophy
- FAQs
What to expect: Understanding the A level Philosophy curriculum
If you’d like to achieve the best grades possible, you should learn your A level syllabus inside and out. AQA is currently the only exam board that offers this as an A level subject, which assesses your understanding of the subject through the following topics. Harness the expertise of A-Level Tutors with The Profs and ignite your academic journey towards career excellence.
1. Epistemology
Epistemology is the study of the theory of knowledge. You are expected to understand different types of knowledge including acquaintance, ability and propositional, as well as the nature of knowledge and how knowledge can be analysed. Topics of study include direct and indirect realism, Berkeley’s idealism, innatism, the intuition and deduction thesis and the limits of knowledge.
2. Moral Philosophy
The study of moral philosophy covers the nature of what is considered good, bad, right and wrong. In AQA this subject is tackled from the perspectives of utilitarianism, Kantian deontological and Aristotelian virtue ethics (including their applications to stealing, simulated killing, eating animals, and telling lies), meta-ethics, and moral and anti-moral realism.
3. Metaphysics of God
This part of the syllabus considers ontological and teleological arguments for and against the existence and concept of the Judeo-Christian depiction of God, in addition to his claimed omniscience, omnipotence, and omnibenevolence. Other aspects of this unit include the study of the problem of evil, and the use of religious language.
4. Metaphysics of mind
The biggest and most prevalent question that is tackled here is what do we specifically mean by the ‘mind’. Both dualist and physicalist theories of mindfulness are considered in answering this question alongside functionalism including substance and property dualism, physicalism, mind-brain type identity theory and eliminative materialism.
A level Philosophy is a linear course meaning there are no optional courses for you to choose from. This includes the texts and philosophical debates you must read and contextualise in a variety of essays you will write throughout this course. There is also no option to settle with an AS level in Philosophy, so you must be super committed to the subject if you wish to study it at school.
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Need help understanding your curriculum for A level Philosophy? Our expert Philosophy tutors can clarify the topics covered, as well as break them down in an easy-to-understand way. From revision tips to practise tests, we’ve got your back.
It is important to note that A level Philosophy is not equal in content to A level Religious Studies, although there is a significant overlap in the material of these two courses, especially when discussing the metaphysics of God. Fortunately for you, we also have some amazing A level Religious Studies tutors who are more than ready to help you with your studies. Bridge the gap between philosophy and religion with expert guidance from The Profs’ Religious Studies Tutors and push your academic achievements to new heights.
Understanding the A level Philosophy exam format
If you are aiming for an As or A*s in your A levels, you need to know what paper covers what topics, and how much they count towards your final grade. Fortunately, A level Philosophy makes the content of its papers quite clear. It only has two exam papers, one on moral philosophy and epistemology (Paper 1) , and the other on metaphysics (Paper 2). Both papers are equally weighted and entirely account for your final A level grade.
Both exams are free hours long, and in each paper, you must answer 10 questions. These questions require you to write short essays, and across all papers. You will be asked 5 questions on epistemology and another 5 on moral philosophy in Paper 1, and 5 questions on the metaphysics of God and another 5 on the metaphysics of mind in Paper 2. You can earn up to as many as 100 marks in each paper.
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Is A level Philosophy harder or easier than GCSE Philosophy?
In comparison to GCSEs, many students find A levels to be much more difficult, and unfortunately, A level Philosophy is no exception. Whilst GCSE Philosophy builds on the foundation of the subject, A level is much more rigorous.
Despite this, many schools don’t make GCSE Philosophy a prerequisite to studying A level Philosophy, as a GCSE in the subject is unfortunately not provided by all schools. Instead, it is highly recommended you have at least a Grade 5 in GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English Language\Literature, as you need to have strong skills in critical thinking and academic writing. Step towards academic excellence with The Profs’ expert GCSE Tutors and shape a brighter future through unparalleled guidance.
Most top candidates study Philosophy within and beyond their curriculum as much as possible. If you do this, it will consolidate what you learned at GCSE whilst also helping you to become better prepared for A level questions. Many students find the jump between GCSEs and A levels challenging; the best way to combat this is exposure.
Also, make sure that you are consistent in your studies. It’s much better to do a little bit every day than study a vast amount in one day and then not at all for the next few days. Doing this strengthens your long-term memory and gives you time to contextualise challenging concepts. This simple strategy will be instrumental in earning you a top grade in A level Philosophy.
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Understanding grades: How many marks do you need to get an A or A* in A level Philosophy?
It is important to note that each exam board has its own marking criteria. So, achieving top grades is not easier through one exam board than another.
To the best information on grades, we recommend looking into the grade boundaries for the previous summer exam season. Top candidates find this to be the most accurate way of working out how they aim for that A or A*.
Here are the grade boundaries for the June 2023 and June 2022 exams just for the sake of comparison, with there were a total of 100 marks per paper and 200 marks across both papers:
Paper 1 – Epistemology and moral philosophy:
| Year | A* | A |
| 2023 | 79 | 69 |
| 2022 | 69 | 58 |
Paper 2 – The metaphysics of God and the metaphysics of mine:
| Year | A* | A |
| 2023 | 78 | 67 |
| 2022 | 71 | 61 |
Overall grade:
| Year | A* | A |
| 2023 | 157 | 136 |
| 2022 | 140 | 119 |
It is not surprising that grade boundaries to change year on year, but generally, you want to be aiming for at least 70% across all components of your A level to achieve an A, and 80% across all components to achieve an A*.
Do you need help understanding grade boundaries or what your personal goal should be? Would you like an expert to guide you through your A level in Philosophy? Do you want to get an A or A*? You’ve come to the right place.
What are the fundamental concepts of A level Philosophy?
Philosophy is a broad field that seeks to explore fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. The study of A level Philosophy focuses more specifically on the development of Western Philosophy focusing specifically on epistemology, moral philosophy, the metaphysics of God and the metaphysics of mind.. In all versions of this A level, the focus is equally split between these four skills.
To get an A or A*, you must make sure you are proficient in all of these skills and understand specific aspects of Philosophy inside-out. This will require a revision timetable that is easy to follow and should be put together following your strengths and weaknesses. You also need to be confident in writing essays to get these top grades.
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Identifying your strengths and weaknesses
Candidates only have so much time to revise for their exams, and that time must be used wisely. A great way to be productive with this is to go over your A level syllabus and use the traffic light system to identify what you believe your strengths and weaknesses are.
This involves going through your syllabus and highlighting topics you are very confident about in green, those that you feel neutral towards in amber, and finally, red for topics you have little to no confidence in.
This process is very good at prioritising what you revise first and in what order, starting with your weakest topics. Make sure that you cover the relevant theory before jumping into exam questions when working through these, ideally using a revision guide rather than a textbook. Also, ensure that what you are working with completely matches your exam specifications.
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Brush up on your English and study Critical Thinking
Many topics within Philosophy heavily depend on the skills developed through GCSE English Language and GCSE English Literature, which is why many students decide to study Philosophy and English at the same time during their A levels. In fact, several universities suggest this when applying to a university for Philosophy, although this is not the only possible combination of subjects you could take to become a Philosophy undergraduate student (contact our admissions experts if you’d like to know more).
Universities in general consider critical thinking to be a weak subject to study at A level, and it is important to note what courses your chosen universities value. However, it is a fantastic subject to return to, if you want to understand how to make a strong argument and communicate effectively.
There are many ways you can develop your skills in these areas. For instance, you could take part in a debate club or enter an essay competition on a topic of your choosing.
Above everything else, we suggest practising past paper questions for Philosophy regularly, but keep studying essay writing and critical thinking as much as you can on the side.
Complete past papers to boost your grades
Overall, completing past papers is a valuable study technique that can help you prepare effectively for exams and increase your chances of success. Even if some of the questions are challenging, it’s best to start doing this sooner rather than later.
You also want to make sure you read and understand questions properly before attempting a question. This may involve underlining keywords and phrases. Action words, such as ‘argue’ or ‘justify’, also give a clue as to what kind of answer should be provided.
Finally, make sure to mark every single attempt you make. By being familiar with a paper’s mark scheme, you will be able to see how marks are allocated. Use this as an opportunity to provide yourself with constructive criticism, and use that as a drive to fill any further blanks in your understanding of the material.
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Make use of visual aids to improve your memory
Flashcards are an excellent method for swiftly reviewing essential facts and information relevant to the A level Philosophy curriculum. You can craft your own flashcards by jotting down key concepts, facts, and equations, or utilise online resources like Quizlet. This will particularly help you in learning the vast vocabulary that comes with A level Philosophy.
Utilising online platforms such as Quizlet can further enhance your revision for A level Philosophy syllabus and exams. These platforms allow you to generate virtual flashcards featuring various question types and answers. Additionally, platforms like Quizlet enable you to share your flashcards with fellow students studying the same topics, fostering collaborative learning.
Flashcards prove to be an effective and efficient method of revising for your A level Philosophy syllabus and exams. With the right approach, they facilitate swift recollection of key facts and concepts, aiding in achieving optimal results in your studies.
Mind maps also offer an excellent means of structuring information and establishing connections between different topics. Breaking down complex subjects into smaller components through mind mapping simplifies review and aids in memory retention.
You can construct mind maps using traditional pen and paper or utilise online platforms, such as Coggle. Mind maps typically comprise circles or boxes linked by lines.
Each box or circle denotes a keyword or concept, with lines drawn to connect related ideas and additional details incorporated in smaller boxes or circles surrounding the main idea. This method creates a visual representation of the topic, enhancing retention.
When crafting a mind map for your A level Philosophy syllabus, begin by listing your weakest topics and work your way up to the stronger ones. Harness the power of one-on-one learning with The Profs to cultivate your academic expertise and career trajectory through our exceptional tutors.
Explore Philosophy beyond your A level
If you are not only aiming for top universities as well as top grades, you need to be doing plenty of supercurricular activities to show your love for Philosophy.
It shouldn’t be a surprise that you must love the subject if you are studying it at A level, especially if you want to get those top grades. There are many ways you can show your engagement in the subject for instance by engaging in wider reading in books such as the Oxford edition of The Platonic Defense of Socrates, or David Hume’s ‘An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding’.
Top-performing candidates for Philosophy degrees will also study new topics that haven’t been covered in school, for instance Eastern philosophy or aesthetics. Not only does this strengthen your university applications, but it also increases your overall understanding of philosophy, especially if you can talk about your supercurricular reading in detail and apply this new found knowledge to unfamiliar debates.
Speaking of which, joining or setting up a debate club at your school will complement your UCAS application nicely. Engaging in regular debates is a fantastic way of developing your ability to reason and apply rules of logical deduction to combat opposing opinions.
Alternatively, you could enter or apply for a debate competition. Even if you don’t end up winning, you will be able to demonstrate further your love for the subject and further develop your ability to write compelling philosophy essays, and are fantastic experiences to include in your CV. Here are a few examples of competitions you can apply for:
- The Trinity College Philosophy Essay Prize
- The Royal Institute of Philosophy Think Essay Prize
- The John Locke Institute Essay Competition
- The New College of Humanities Competition
- The International Philosophy Olympiad (IPO)
If instead you prefer a lesser competitive engagement with philosophy, you could always listen to a podcast series or two. One of particular interest is the BBC’s podcast series ‘In Our Time’, which you could try and listen to each week. If films are more your thing, you could watch a famous philosophy lecture series, such as the Massolit Lectures ‘Modern Philosophy’ Series.
An even better plan would be to attend a summer school, such as UCL’s Ancient Philosophy Summer School, where you can see what studying at a university is like in person.
Top candidates will not only engage with supercurriculars, but they will be directly inspired through what they do to engage in new ones. This helps tremendously when it comes to writing personal statements for UCAS applications. It can also give you some ideas of what sort of modules you might wish to take during a philosophy degree.
If you are in the middle of applying for university, we have an excellent team of admissions tutors who would love to help you maximise your chances of success!
Teach what you’ve learned
Register to tutor Philosophy to your peers or conduct revision sessions. If not, consider approaching a friend or family member to teach them specific theories and concepts.
Even if your grasp of a topic is not completely thorough, attempting to explain it to someone can significantly aid your comprehension of its workings. Teaching others helps solidify your understanding of concepts. If you can explain concepts effectively, you possess sufficient understanding to apply them successfully!
Make sure to take regular breaks between your study periods! Other than to consolidate your knowledge, your mental health comes above all else, so make sure you also eat, drink and sleep in healthy amounts.
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Benefit from our expert guidance in A level Philosophy
If you’d like to achieve an A or A* in A level Philosophy, our expert team is here to help you with bespoke support.
Unsure? Trust in our results. 35% of our students achieved an A* in 2023, compared to the national average of 7.7%. Hence working with us will increase your chances by a whopping 78%!
Our experienced Philosophy tutors offer methods for improvement by breaking down complex concepts and providing exam strategies. They also offer a deeper understanding of the subject by providing additional learning materials and offering immediate feedback.
If you’re making the jump from GCSE to A level you might find it especially useful to get bespoke help from one of our experienced GCSE tutors!
Elevate your understanding of A-Level Philosophy and secure top grades by connecting with The Profs’ expert Philosophy Tutors, renowned for their 93% success rate in improving students’ grades and helping them surpass their predicted results.
FAQs
Why should you study A level Philosophy?
A Level Philosophy offers many benefits, from developing a candidate’s general confidence and ability to communicate effectively, to exploring the development of thought and the ability to think critically as part of the essay writing component. It is also well respected by universities all over the world, and it complements several other subjects such as History, Sociology, and English Literature to name a few. Finally, the study of Philosophy can lead to a wide variety of interesting careers.
How hard is A level Philosophy?
A level Philosophy is without a doubt a challenging subject due to its depth and breadth of content, critical thinking and logical reasoning abilities, and essay writing skills. Alongside a series of written exams at the end of your time at secondary school, you will be awarded an overall grade where A and A* are the very best grades you can possibly achieve.
Despite its difficulty, A level Philosophy can be highly rewarding for students who have a passion for the subject and are willing to put in the effort to understand its concepts thoroughly. With effective study strategies, support from teachers or our Philosophy tutors, and dedication, students can overcome the challenges of A level Philosophy and achieve success in their exams. Why not get in touch with The Profs to maximise your learning today?
Where can A level Philosophy take you?
A level Philosophy can open up various pathways and opportunities, depending on your interests and career aspirations. Here are a few potential directions:
- Education: A level Philosophy can be a stepping stone to becoming a Philosophy teacher, lecturer, or educational administrator.
- Public policy and government: The analytical and ethical reasoning skills developed in philosophy are useful in roles that involve policy analysis, public administration, and government service.
- Business and management: The problem-solving and decision-making skills from philosophy can be applied in business, particularly in roles that require strategic thinking and ethics.
- Law: Many philosophy graduates go into law, as the subject’s emphasis on logical reasoning, ethics, and argumentation is highly applicable to legal studies and practice.
- Journalism and media: Philosophy graduates are well-suited for careers in journalism, particularly in roles that require in-depth analysis, critical thinking, and ethical reporting.
- Nonprofit and charity work: Philosophy’s focus on ethics and social justice can lead to fulfilling careers in the nonprofit sector, where critical thinking and a strong ethical foundation are essential.
A Level Philosophy can be a stepping stone to a variety of exciting and fulfilling careers, both within the Philosophy industry and beyond. Whatever your reasons for studying A level Philosophy, whether it be with a future profession in mind, or for your own academic pursuits, the skills and experiences you will gain will serve you well.
Can you self-study A level Philosophy?
Absolutely! It is certainly possible to self-study A level Philosophy and take the assessment independently. Whilst A level subjects are typically designed to be taught over two years in a structured classroom environment, A level Philosophy does not have to have to be studied at a school and can be studied online with a private organisation such as Oxbridge. Regardless of how you wish to study A level Philosophy, The Profs are here to help.
Can you do an A level in Philosophy in 1 year?
Mainstream secondary schools will normally not offer this as an option due to philosophy being such a complicated subject, and often one that is brand new for new students entering sixth form. If you are however a mature student re-entering education, or a particularly motivated homeschool student, studying this A level in one year is indeed possible.
Many institutions for adult learners offer accelerated courses for A levels, which you can complete in one year. You have the option to either study such a course through online classes, or you can still attend classes in person.
In conclusion, studying A level Philosophy in one year can be achieved through careful planning and a commitment to the schedule you set yourself. We recommend however you don’t rush your studies and try to take exams in this subject when you feel fully prepared, in order for you to achieve the best grades you possibly can.
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