BA (Bachelor of Arts) Philosophy: Admission, Top Colleges, Eligibility, Syllabus, Jobs, Scope

What is BA Philosophy?

The full form of BA Philosophy is Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy It is a three-year undergraduate course.

Further Reading: BA Course

BA Philosophy focuses on the investigation of fundamental problems of existence, knowing, values, ethics, and reasoning. It involves researching different philosophical traditions, theories, and perspectives, such as:

• Metaphysics (the study of the nature of reality)
• Epistemology (the study of knowledge)
• Ethics (the study of moral values and principles)
• Political Philosophy (the study of government and social organization)
• Aesthetics (the study of beauty and art)
• Logic (the study of reasoning)
• and History of Philosophy (the study of philosophical ideas throughout history).

BA Philosophy eligibility is 10+2 with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognized board. Admission into this course is done on both merit and an entrance basis. The top entrance exams for this course are GATA, JNUEE, SET, CUCET, CUET  and NPAT.

The average fee for BA Philosophy is INR 5,000 – 1 LPA and some of the top colleges that offer admission into this course are, the University of Delhi, the University of Mumbai, Christ University, University of Kerala, and Osmania University.

BA Philosophy subjects include Epistemology, Metaphysics, Logic, Ethics, Aesthetics, Existentialism, and Philosophy of Mind among others.

For further studies, students can pursue an MA in Philosophy, an MA in English, an MA in Psychology, an MA in Social Science, and an MA in Political Science.

BA Philosophy jobs include Teacher, Journalist, Social Worker, Lawyer, Civil Servant, and Writer.

BA Philosophy salary ranges from INR 2 – 10 LPA. Some of the top recruiters for this course are NDTV, India Today, HCL Technologies, Oxfam India, and Trilegal.

Related Courses:

BA Philosophy: Course Highlights

Why Should you pursue BA Philosophy? 

• Multidisciplinary Perspective: Philosophy is a multidisciplinary field that covers a wide range of issues such as ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, and social and political philosophy which helps to broaden worldview.
• Personal Growth: Studying philosophy can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and the world, resulting in personal growth, self-reflection, and self-improvement.
• Develops Critical Thinking Skills: Philosophy entails the review of complex ideas, the appraisal of arguments, and the examination of assumptions. This procedure promotes the development of excellent critical thinking and reasoning skills.

Who Should Pursue BA Philosophy? 

A BA Philosophy degree can be a good fit for individuals who are interested in intellectual inquiry, critical thinking, and examining fundamental questions about life and the world around them. However, it might be a good fit for the following potential candidates:

• Students who have completed 10+2 in any stream and have a strong aptitude for analytical thinking and logical reasoning.
• Individuals who are passionate about social, ethical, and political issues and want to engage in discussions or in-depth studying of the same.
• People who enjoy exploring new ideas, asking questions, and challenging assumptions may find studying philosophy rewarding.
• After the completion of BA Philosophy, students can apply for jobs in various fields, such as educational institutions, law firms, NGOs, corporate companies, etc.

BA Philosophy: Course Types

BA Philosophy is offered to students in three modes and can be pursued full-time, through distance education, or via online mode of education.

• BA Philosophy Full-time: This course is designed systematically and provides both theoretical and practical knowledge to the students. To build a strong foundation in BA Philosophy subjects such as Epistemology, Metaphysics, Logic, Ethics, Aesthetics, Existentialism, and Philosophy of Mind among others are covered in detail.
• BA Philosophy Distance Education: This option is open to students who are unable to continue this course full-time and require flexibility in their study schedule. A candidate with a BA Philosophy Distance Education degree has the same employment options as a typical student, although this type of learning may not provide practical knowledge and may be overly theoretical.
• BA Philosophy Online: This form of study is gaining popularity in India as several universities and educational institutions offer online degree programs in BA philosophy. Students can access course material, attend virtual lectures, participate in discussions, and complete projects and tests online.

BA Philosophy: Course Duration

The duration of BA Philosophy in India is 3 years, which is divided into 6 semesters. However, the exact duration may vary depending on the university or institution offering the course. BA Philosophy Distance Education and BA Philosophy Online programs may have a longer duration, up to 5 years, compared to the regular full-time course.

BA Philosophy: Fees

BA Philosophy Fees is INR 5,000 – 1 LPA. Given below is a list of some of the top Colleges/Universities offering this course along with their fees:

BA Philosophy: Distance Education

BA Philosophy distance education is a feasible option for students who are working professionals or are unable to pursue the course regularly. Given below are some of the key highlights of this course:

• Candidates who have passed their 10+2 with a minimum of 45 – 50% marks from a recognized board.
• BA Philosophy distance education in India generally takes three years to complete, although some universities may offer longer-duration programs.
• BA Philosophy distance education curriculum is the same as a full-time course and covers topics related to existence, knowing, values, ethics, and reasoning.
• The study material for a distance education program in India is provided through printed books, e-books, and online resources.
• Students are required to complete assignments and appear for exams as part of the distance education program of BA Philosophy.  

Some of the top Colleges/Universities offering BA Philosophy distance education, along with their fees are given below: 

BA Philosophy: Online

BA Philosophy Online is meant to equip students with a thorough comprehension of diverse philosophical theories and concepts. This mode of education is a great option for students who need the freedom to choose when to study and are unable to take this course full-time. Given below are some of the key highlights of this course:

• The course structure includes a wide range of philosophical issues, such as ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, logic, social and political philosophy, aesthetics, science, and religious philosophy.
• BA Philosophy online is normally three years long and divided into six semesters.
• The program is given online via a combination of lectures, conversations, and assignments.
• Students take part in online discussions, submit written assignments, and pass online quizzes and exams.

Further Reading: Top BA Philosophy Colleges in India

BA Philosophy: Admission Process

It is highly recommended that aspirants score well in their high school examinations or prepare well for the entrance exam. Below is an overview of both the modes of admission:

BA Philosophy Admission: Merit Based

• An aspirant should score more than 50% marks in their high school examinations to be eligible for merit-based admission.
• Apply to the desired college through their official website or by physically visiting the institution and filling out the application form.
• Make sure to check the eligibility criteria and have all the required documents (10th and 12th Certificates, Aadhar Card, Photographs, etc.) in hand.  
• Merit lists are usually updated on the official website of the colleges and need to be checked regularly by the aspirant.
• If selected, the aspirant can pay the required fees and the admission process will be complete.  
• Finally, candidates must attend the counseling or orientation organized by the institution for further details, if selected from the merit list.  

BA Philosophy Admission: Entrance Based

• Apply to the desired college through their official website or by physically visiting the institution and filling out the application form.
• The application form will require the candidates to register themselves with an email ID, password, and mobile number along with academic and course details.
• The candidate is required to upload the necessary documents online, such as Photograph, 10th, and 12th Certificates, Aadhar Card, etc.)
• Once the form is complete, the candidate will be asked to pay a minimal amount of application fee.
• It is advised to check the website regularly for updates on the admit card, entrance exam, and entrance exam syllabus.
• Admit cards will be issued to all the eligible students which will have important information such as the date of the examination, examination center, and timings.
• The college/university will then publish lists according to their cutoff and seat availability.
• If selected, a candidate should pay the course fee as soon as possible and attend the orientation/counseling organized by the college for further information.

BA Philosophy: Eligibility

• 10+2 in any stream with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognized board for BA Philosophy Full-Time.
• 10+2 in any stream with a minimum of 45-50% marks from a recognized board for BA Philosophy Distance Education and BA Philosophy Online.
• There is no upper age limit for this course.

BA Philosophy: Entrance Exams

Some universities or colleges may hold entrance exams for their BA Philosophy programs. The entrance exam is designed to evaluate a candidate's aptitude and expertise in several areas of philosophy.

BA Philosophy: Entrance Exam Syllabus

The entrance exam syllabus for BA Philosophy may vary depending on the university or college offering the program. Therefore, it is recommended that candidates refer to the specific entrance exam syllabus provided by the university or college they are interested in. However, some common topics frequently asked in entrance exams for philosophy are given below:

BA Philosophy: Subjects

Given below is a general list of subjects that are offered in BA Philosophy programs in India, year-wise:

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BA Philosophy: Syllabus

The course is divided into 6 Semesters which must be covered in 3 years. The syllabus of BA Philosophy will vary from college to college; however, a brief of the syllabus is given in the following table: 

BA Philosophy: Recommended Books

Given below are the names of some recognized books along with their authors in the field of Philosophy that a candidate must read to gain further knowledge in the course: 

BA Philosophy: Top Colleges

BA Philosophy: Jobs and Salary

After graduating with a BA Philosophy degree, students have a wide range of career opportunities available to them in fields such as academics, law, corporations, journalism, etc. Given below are the career opportunities in detail, along with the job profiles and average salaries:

BA Philosophy: Top Recruiters

Below is a list of the top recruiters after BA Philosophy:

BA Philosophy: Scope

There are various further study options available for BA Philosophy graduates in India. Some of the popular ones along are given below:

• MA Philosophy
• MA English
• MA Sociology
• MA Political Science
• MA Psychology
• Master of Social Work (MSW)
• Master of Education (M.Ed)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Law (LLM)