Why study philosophy?
"Having graduated with a Single Honours degree in philosophy in June 2003, I am now reading law. I have found that the skills acquired while reading philosophy, namely the ability to analyse, to interpret and to be critical of texts; to present arguments clearly; to recognise and support different points of view and to think and reason logically are invaluable in the study of law and quite apart from that are very valuable skills in themselves. I thoroughly enjoyed my 4-year degree course, gaining knowledge of the theories of some of the greatest philosophers through history and up to the present day. The philosophy departments at St Andrews are highly rated both for teaching and research and I would have no hesitation in strongly recommending anyone with an interest in reading philosophy to apply to St Andrews."
Harriet Murray, who took Single Honours in Philosophy, and is now reading Law at Edinburgh University.
Many types of employment simply require that a student has an undergraduate degree and, like Arts Faculty graduates in general, people who study Philosophy at St Andrews find their way into a wide variety of jobs. A philosophy degree is particularly suited to careers in advertising, the civil service, education, film and television, information technology, journalism, law, marketing, and management. In recent years, many of our graduates have found work in these areas, as well as accountancy, the civil service, education, in industry, and in the armed forces. Quite a few have been able to continue into a career teaching and researching in philosophy.
Although Philosophy obviously does not provide vocational training for any particular career, perceptive employers in many fields welcome the qualities of mind necessary for a good Philosophy degree - the ability to think, write and speak clearly and logically. Our aim at St Andrews is to develop these skills in our students for use in whatever career they may choose.