Philosophy A-Level (and its joint qualifications — Philosophy & Ethics, Religious Studies with Philosophy) is one of the fastest-growing sixth-form subjects in the UK and a highly valued qualification for applicants to Philosophy, PPE, Law, Politics, Theology and any degree that values analytical reasoning. It's also consistently harder than students expect when they choose it.
What Philosophy A-Level covers
The most common Philosophy A-Level is AQA Philosophy, which covers:
- Epistemology — theories of knowledge, perception, the problem of induction, rationalism vs empiricism
- Moral philosophy — utilitarianism, Kantian ethics, virtue ethics, moral realism and anti-realism
- Metaphysics of God — arguments for/against God's existence, the problem of evil, miracles
- Metaphysics of mind — dualism, physicalism, functionalism, consciousness
OCR Religious Studies A-Level includes Philosophy of Religion and Ethics papers that cover similar ground. Many students studying "Philosophy" are actually entered for AQA Religious Studies (which includes philosophy papers) rather than AQA Philosophy — confirm your exact specification before booking.
Why students find Philosophy A-Level difficult
- Argument structure, not opinion. Philosophy exam answers are not about expressing an opinion — they're about constructing a valid argument, identifying and responding to counterarguments, and reaching a supported conclusion. Students who write discursive essays rather than structured arguments consistently lose marks.
- Technical vocabulary. Philosophy uses a precise technical vocabulary (a priori, a posteriori, contingent, necessary, modal, empirical) that must be used correctly. Loose use of technical terms loses marks at A-Level.
- Counter-argument awareness. The strongest marks go to students who anticipate and respond to objections to their position. Most students learn to make an argument — fewer learn to pre-empt the objections an examiner expects.
What to look for in a Philosophy tutor
- Philosophy or theology degree. A-Level Philosophy has enough depth that a specialist consistently outperforms a generalist — particularly on Epistemology and Metaphysics of Mind.
- Mark scheme annotation. The highest-value tutor marks essay responses against the mark scheme and gives specific feedback on argument structure and technical precision.
- Specification match. AQA Philosophy, AQA Religious Studies, OCR Religious Studies and Eduqas Religious Studies all differ in syllabus content. Confirm the tutor knows your exact spec.
How much does a Philosophy tutor cost?
- GCSE Religious Studies/Ethics tutors: £28–£50 per hour
- A-Level Philosophy / Religious Studies tutors: £38–£65 per hour
- Tutors with Philosophy from Oxford/Cambridge: £55–£90 per hour
Find a Philosophy tutor
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