DipHE Philosophy Foundation degree at the University of London
DipHE Philosophy at University of London is taught in English and leads to a nationally recognised DipHE qualification. You'll study core theory alongside research methods, applied practice, and specialist options, culminating in an independent project.
About this course
DipHE Philosophy is a Foundation degree (DipHE) at the University of London. It runs 2 years, studied full-time.
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Philosophy & Religion, see the sections below.
Curriculum & modules
A typical UK Philosophy & Religion degree builds from foundations to specialist options and a final project. An indicative structure:
| Stage | Module |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | Introduction to Philosophy Knowledge, mind and reality, the core problems and moves. |
| Year 1 | Ethics Moral theories and their application to hard cases. |
| Year 1 | Logic & Critical Reasoning Formal tools for evaluating arguments. |
| Year 2 | History of Philosophy Ancient to modern, the thinkers who shaped the field. |
| Year 2 | Philosophy of Mind / Religion Consciousness, God and the limits of explanation. |
| Year 2 | Political Philosophy Justice, liberty and authority from Plato to Rawls. |
| Year 3 | Specialist options Typically metaethics, philosophy of science, world religions or aesthetics. |
| Year 3 | Advanced Seminar Close engagement with current philosophical research. |
| Year 3 | Dissertation A sustained independent philosophical argument. |
Typical structure for this subject (indicative). Modules vary by university. Check the provider's course page for the exact curriculum.
Specialisations & pathways
Tip: click a specialisation → current jobs in that area.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
You'll study the core problems of philosophy and develop skills in rigorous argument and interpretation. A course like this typically moves from foundational areas, Introduction to Philosophy, Ethics, and Logic & Critical Reasoning in Year 1, through historical and thematic studies in Year 2, such as the History of Philosophy and Philosophy of Mind. In your second year, you'll usually explore specialisations including Ethics & applied ethics, Philosophy of mind, Religion & theology, Political philosophy, Logic, and Philosophy of science. You'll normally progress towards independent work, culminating in an Advanced Seminar and a sustained philosophical dissertation that demonstrates your capacity for original thinking.
Who it's for
This course suits those seeking a structured introduction to philosophical thinking and practice. It combines theoretical foundations with hands-on application, making it accessible whether you're entering higher education or returning to study. The balance of core modules, specialist options and independent work allows you to develop both breadth and depth in philosophy.
Careers & job market
Across Philosophy and Religion courses nationally, 85% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months. Of those working, 60% are in highly skilled roles or pursuing further study. Graduate earnings data (national figures) show starting salaries of £23,500–£30,000 at 15 months; after five years, this typically ranges from £25,500 to £36,000. Ninety per cent of students on such courses continue past their first year, either completing or progressing further.
University & format
The DipHE Philosophy is a 2-year full-time Foundation degree awarded by the University of London, a University founded in 1836. You'll study in English. The degree is recognised as a UK degree-awarding body, so your qualification is nationally recognised.
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Entry & how to get in
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
The cap depends on the UK nation the provider sits in; the provider's page is authoritative.
Check fees at University of London →Check the finance route that applies to you
Support depends on ordinary residence, assessed fee status, course and provider nation. The provider nation is unresolved here, so no national cap or loan amount is being guessed.
Find your official student-finance route →Paying for it
- Tuition fee loan: applied for through the student-finance body for the UK nation you live in.
- Living-cost support: means-tested on household income, from your nation's student-finance body.
- Repayment: only above the income threshold set by your nation's student-finance system.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
Each UK nation runs its own student-finance system; check gov.uk for the rates that apply to you.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Philosophy & Religion graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in philosophy & religion · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Philosophy & Religion nationally
National figures for Philosophy & Religion graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
Job market & outlook
How Philosophy & Religion graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Philosophy & Religion graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Schools & universities
- Think tanks
- Charities & NGOs
- Civil service
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Philosophy & Religion graduates.
Philosophy AdjunctCommonwealth Of VirginiaTeaching Fellow in Ethics and Political Philosophy - DurhamDurham UniversityWho studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
University of London (Institutes and activities)
Historical, philosophical and religious studies across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Is Philosophy & Religion right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to University of London from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by University of London; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check University of London’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with University of London and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
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Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates earn?
What will it cost me?
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