Course Summary · 2027 Entry
Philosophy at University of Cambridge
Key requirements for Philosophy at University of Cambridge, compiled from the official course page, with 1-to-1 tutoring from Oxford or Cambridge graduates.
In a nutshell
Cambridge Philosophy is a three-year analytic-tradition BA. Year 1 covers metaphysics, ethics, logic, formal methods and early modern philosophy; specialisation builds across Years 2 and 3.
Course summary
What University of Cambridge publishes for Philosophy.
- UCAS code
- V500
- Degree
- BA (Hons)
- Duration
- 3 years
- Typical A-Level offer
- A*AA
- Admissions test
- No pre-registered admissions test for 2027 entry. Jesus and Trinity are currently the only colleges that set an at-interview College admission assessment for Philosophy; other colleges rely on the interview alone.
- Interview
- Argument under pressure is the test. Take a position, defend it, then accept the strongest counter-argument and revise. Tutors care more about clarity of thinking than philosophical reading list.
- Official course page
- https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/philosophy
Always verify these details on the official University of Cambridge course page before applying - entry requirements and assessment formats can change between cycles.
Insider tips
Things Philosophy applicants commonly miss.
- 01
A-Level Maths (or Logic / Computing) helps with the formal logic paper in Year 1 - but is not required.
- 02
Read a primary text rather than a textbook. One of: Plato's Republic, Hume's Enquiry, Mill's Utilitarianism, or Parfit's Reasons and Persons gives more depth than a survey introduction.