Study philosophy in the classical tradition, grounded in foundational questions about reality, knowledge, and ethics. Learn to read closely, think carefully, and question ideas that shape the world around us.
On this BA in Philosophy in the Classical Tradition, you’ll practise philosophy as a rigorous classical discipline, explore its connections with culture and other fields – including theology and spirituality – and develop clear, purposeful ways of thinking that stay with you beyond university.
Philosophy as a classical discipline
You'll study philosophy as a classical discipline, focusing on careful argument, close reading, and thoughtful reflection rather than surface-level opinion.
Philosophy, culture, and sense-making
You'll explore philosophy alongside other disciplines and wider culture, learning how philosophical thinking helps make sense of ideas, values, and human experience.
Philosophy, theology, and spirituality
You'll examine how philosophy, theology, and spirituality inform one another, shaping approaches to ethics, belief, and personal reflection.
Lifelong habits of mind
You'll approach philosophy as a way of thinking, not just a body of knowledge. You'll learn to reason carefully, question assumptions, and develop reflective judgement that supports lifelong learning.
As part of this course, students of the School of Theology enjoy an annual trip to Rome, as well as visits to London's museums and galleries.
Why St Mary's?
Studying this BA in Philosophy in the Classical Tradition at St Mary’s, you’ll develop a strong grounding in philosophy and its relationship with Catholic theology, rooted in philosophy’s classical foundations and first principles. Study centres on the core disciplines of classical philosophy – including metaphysics, epistemology, philosophical anthropology, ethics, political philosophy, cosmology, and natural theology – approached within the classical realist tradition.
You’ll strengthen your ability to think clearly, evaluate arguments carefully, and apply philosophical insight to the challenges of contemporary life, while also building practical study skills that support employability and personal development.
Knowledge and understanding
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Develop a strong understanding of philosophy and its relationship with Catholic theology, exploring how these traditions inform one another.
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Learn to connect philosophical and theological ideas with the challenges of contemporary life, developing rigorous reasoning and well-structured arguments.
Cognitive skills
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Analyse conceptual frameworks within philosophy and theology.
- Critically examine how philosophy, theology, and culture interact.
Applying ideas to life
- Apply philosophical and theological understanding to current debates and real-world issues.
- Reflect on the relationship between faith, reason, and human flourishing, supporting both personal growth and professional development.
Transferable skills
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Evaluate arguments from different perspectives and develop clear, well-supported conclusions.
- Manage your time effectively, engage independently with study, and organise your work with confidence – skills that support employability and everyday life.
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Engage thoughtfully with complex and challenging ideas, approaching both theoretical and practical questions with care, fairness, and intellectual rigour
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Course content
Modules
These modules are the modules that were available to students in the 2024/25 academic year and are illustrative of what may be offered for 2025/26.
Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.
How the degree is taught
Teaching methods
You'll be taught on our beautiful and historic campus located in Twickenham, London.
Assessment methods
You will be assessed through essays, oral presentations, and creative examinations.
Feedback
We adhere to the university’s policy of providing feedback on assessments within 15 working days.
Entry requirements
2025 and 2026 entries
Start date
Standard offer
undefined - 128 UCAS points
Contextual offer
112 UCAS points
About Contextual Offer:
Not sure about your grades? We consider all factors when reviewing your application, as we know not everyone has the same support to reach their potential. So we may make a contextual offer below the standard Tariff if you meet our criteria. Read more about contextual offers.
We understand that sometimes barriers you can't control get in the way of academic achievement. You are more than just your grades. We'll consider your application as a whole, taking into account things like:
- subjects studied at Level 3
- your GCSEs (or equivalent) profile
- non-academic achievements you mention in your personal statement
- your references and motivation.
GCSE
We offer GCSE equivalency tests for those who need to improve their GCSE grades.
International requirements
We welcome students from all over the world and accept a wide range of international qualifications. International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents. If English is not your first language, you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any section (or equivalent).
UCAS Personal statement support
Create your UCAS personal statement through our online builder and we'll email you a copy of your completed version at the end.
Further Information
For more information about entry requirements please get in touch.
How many UCAS points my grades are worth
A levels
A*
56 pts
A
48 pts
B
40 pts
C
32 pts
D
24 pts
E
16 pts
My qualification isn't listed:
If you can't find your qualification in this list please check the full list of UCAS tariff tables.
Fees & funding
September 2026
Home
£9,535
International
£17,445
*Please note: Tuition fee increases for undergraduate Home students are subject to regulatory control by the UK Government. The above Home fees are for September 2025 only and September 2026 fees will be confirmed by the UK Government subject to Parliamentary procedure. These fees are annual and may increase as detailed in our tuition fee variation disclaimer.
For more information on foundation year fees for home students, please check the details on our tuition fee page.
For more information about whether you are likely to pay home or international fees, please visit our 'understanding your tuition fee status' page.
Information about tuition fees, student loans, and funding your studies can be found within our fees and funding section.
Additional costs
Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme.
Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken.
For further information about additional costs please see our additional costs webpage.
Scholarships
Find out more about our range of scholarships and bursaries available to undergraduate students.
Living costs
A guide to your living costs has been created by our Student Funding Team.
Accommodation costs vary depending on whether you opt for an en suite room and on-site catering. Take a look at our accommodation options and the prices you can expect to pay.
Apply now
If you're currently living in the United Kingdom and Ireland, you'll need to apply directly through UCAS. You can check our step-by-step application guide for detailed information. You will also need to apply directly if you want to study any course part-time.
If you're an international student and you would like to apply for Foundation and Placement Year courses, you can submit an application directly or add St Mary's University as a choice on UCAS. Check our guideline for more information.
September
Transferring from another institution?
St Mary's is happy to consider applications from students who wish to transfer from another university. If this is you, please follow these instructions.
More from St Mary's
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Discover what life is like on our London campus.