UCAS V500, three years
UCL describes a three-year BA covering all the major areas of philosophy.
Undergraduate · UCL Philosophy
UCL Philosophy: the full range of the subject, on an open entry
UCL's Philosophy BA covers all major areas of philosophy, from moral and political philosophy to metaphysics, epistemology and logic, with a wide choice of options. It asks for AAA but no particular A-level subject. The decision against Oxford is mostly structural; the decision against UCL's joint degrees is whether you want philosophy alone.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What UCL asks for in Philosophy
Taken from UCL's Philosophy BA course page (a saved copy that UCL labels as possibly not showing recent changes) and read on 31 October 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; UCL's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
AAA, with no required subject
The A-level requirement is AAA, with GCSE English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 4.
IB 18 points at Higher Level
18 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5.
All major areas of philosophy
UCL names moral and political philosophy, metaphysics, epistemology and logic.
No required A-level subject
The page lists no subject requirement at AAA.
Official sources
Read on 31 October 2026 on UCL's Philosophy BA course page (a saved copy that UCL labels as possibly not showing recent changes), which describes 2027 entry. UCL's department pages, the fees pages, the contextual-offer details and the 2028-entry values were not read, and the page lists no admissions test or interview so none is stated and are not stated.
The course
All the major areas, then your own interests
UCL says the degree incorporates all major areas of philosophy and offers a wide selection of optional modules so students can pursue their specific interests, developing skills that employers value.
Is it the right degree?
Philosophy against its joint degrees and Oxford
UCL's single-subject degree keeps the whole field open.
Choose UCL Philosophy if
you want philosophy alone, across its major areas.
Choose a joint degree if
you want philosophy with economics or languages. Avandy's LSE Philosophy and Economics guide covers one such combination.
Compare Oxford Philosophy and Theology if
you want a joint Oxford course. Avandy's guide records its own rules.
Entry rules
AAA with no required subject
A-level applicants need AAA with GCSE English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 4; no required A-level subject is listed. IB applicants need 18 points in three higher level subjects with no higher level score below 5. UCL's page lists no admissions test or interview. This page states no scores.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not UCL's.
Do you want philosophy on its own?
This is the single-subject degree.
Do you like a wide choice of options?
UCL stresses it.
Is your writing strong?
No subject is required, so your record carries the application.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules UCL has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means UCL published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means UCL has not yet published it.
Grades, the subject requirements and the preferred-subject guidance: last verified for 2027 entry
These are the best guide to what to prepare. UCL has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
The UCAS deadline and the 2028-entry requirements: awaiting publication for 2028 entry
Check UCL's course page for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Confirm the required subjects, read the course structure and plan your preparation around it.
Support
Independent support with course choice and preparation
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with University College London or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here means course-fit advice, subject mentoring and ethical preparation; Avandy gives no scores or probabilities and does not write applications. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What does UCL Philosophy BA require?
AAA at A level with GCSE English Language at grade B or 6 and Mathematics at grade C or 4, in UCL's wording for 2027 entry.
What is the IB requirement?
18 points in three higher level subjects, with no higher level score below 5.
Do I need A-level Philosophy?
The page lists no required A-level subject.
How does it differ from joint philosophy degrees?
It is the single-subject degree; UCL also teaches Philosophy and Economics and other combinations.
Does Avandy state offer scores?
No. This page records UCL's wording for 2027 entry and states no scores or probabilities.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are UCL's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the course page again when UCL publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about UCL Philosophy
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their essay-writing subjects, their interest in the major areas of philosophy and how UCL compares with Oxford, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.