Philosophy
Pursue Undergraduate Program in
Philosophy
Did you know that studying philosophy is great preparation for law school, an MBA or other graduate studies? Philosophy majors regularly perform much better than average on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
This program is offered by the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies on the Keele Campus.
The word 'philosophy' is derived from the Greek for "love of wisdom" and is one of the world's oldest subjects of study. Philosophy pursues questions in every dimension of human life, and its techniques apply to problems in any field of study or endeavor. It is a reasoned pursuit of fundamental truths, a quest for understanding and a study of principles of conduct.
Explore life’s deepest questions concerning the nature of happiness, the requirements of justice, the limits of knowledge, and the meaning of freedom. You’ll discover how to develop answers to these questions and how to engage in fruitful argument with alternative points of view. These skills are applicable to all areas of modern life: intellectual, professional and personal.
Efforts are made to blend contemporary and historical issues and many of our professors draw their inspiration from widely separated philosophical approaches. In keeping with this, there is a great deal of cross-disciplinary work. The department offers a wide range of courses which examine contemporary problems and issues such as:
- applied ethics
- philosophy of mind
- social and political philosophy
- argumentation theory
- feminism
In addition, courses are offered in the history of philosophy, continental thought, logic, philosophy of law and other traditional areas.
Philosophical skills are applicable in any area where arguments are important, not just in the realms of abstract speculation. They are particularly useful when you are writing essays, since you are expected to make a case for your conclusions rather than simply assert them.
- We embrace countless avenues of thought and diverse ways of doing philosophy, blending emerging and historical perspectives and drawing inspiration from widely separated philosophical approaches.
- We teach you how to think, not what to think.
- Participate in Philosophia, York's student-run Undergraduate Philosophy Association, which sponsors readings, social events such as the 'Philosophy at the Movies' series and provides representation at departmental meetings.
- You can also get involved with The Oracle, York University's undergraduate philosophical review.
Questions?
Contact us at goyork@yorku.ca
Program Details
Offered By
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
Degrees Offered
BA
Fall Entry
Yes
Winter Entry
Yes
Summer Entry
Yes
Ways to Study
Full-Time, Part-Time
Sample Schedule (First-year)
- Introduction to Philosophy or Meaning of Life
- Humanities or Social Science General Education course
- Natural Science General Education course
- Course outside the major
Possible Career Paths
- Administrator
- Diplomat
- Educator
- Lawyer
- Human rights activist
Viewbooks
Undergraduate
View Viewbook (PDF)
Transfer & Mature
View Viewbook (PDF)
Indigenous
View Viewbook (PDF)
International
View Viewbook (PDF)
Admission Requirements
I am a high-school student I have completed at least one year of full-time study at college or university I have been away from high-school for at least two years I have never studied in a formal academic high-school environment Returning / Reactivating student (previously York) Visiting StudentsLiberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
Baccalauréat Français
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
- A maximum of 30 possible transferable credits may be granted for successful completion of the Baccalauréat Général. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
Bachillerato
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
- Minimum overall result of “Bien/Buena/Bueno/Good” on all academic courses.
- Some programs require a higher GPA.
CAPE
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
- A minimum overall average of 3 out of 7 is required. Higher grades required for certain programs.
- CAPE 2-unit courses, with results of 3 or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
- Extra courses will be assessed for transfer credit. Applicants with the DEC may be awarded up to one full year of transfer credit.
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
Chinese High School
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
Turkish High School
- Some programs require higher. Please review the requirements for your program below.
- Prerequisite courses should not be below a grade of 4.0 or 70%.
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
GCE
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
- GCE A2 examinations with results of "C" or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
To gain admission to this program, minimum average of C is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of C.
The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program specific basis. Some programs have limited enrolment. Admission is not guaranteed, and all requirements are subject to change.
Hong Kong
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
International Baccalaureate
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
- IB Diploma with passes in six subjects: three passes at the Standard-level and three passes at the Higher-level, or two passes at the Standard-level and four passes at the Higher-level
- Transfer credit is granted for IB courses with Higher-level final grades of 5 or better, to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
To gain admission to this program, minimum IB diploma point scores of 28 is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires minimum IB diploma point scores of 28.
The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program specific basis. Some programs have limited enrolment. Admission is not guaranteed, and all requirements are subject to change.
Indian High School
- Some programs require a higher average. Please review the requirements for your program below.
- Prerequisite courses should not be below a grade of 55%.
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
- All-India Senior School Certificate (AISSCE)
- Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)
- Indian School Certificate (ISC)
- Intermediate Examination Certificate
- Pre-University Examination Certificate
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
OUAC code YRK
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
To be considered a mature student, you must:
Be at least 20 years old by the end of the calendar year of admission to the University
Have been out of full-time high school studies for at least two years or have returned to upgrade after a two year absence
Have attempted less than one full year of studies at an accredited university or college
Have demonstrated potential for success through academic, professional or volunteer activities and other accomplishments
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
Tawjihyah
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
United States High School
- Grade 12 graduation with a minimum overall average of "B" on Grade 11 and Grade 12 academic courses is required to be considered for most programs. Some programs require a higher average. Please review the requirements for your program below.
- SAT or ACT scores are not required for students studying in a recognized accredited US curriculum outside the United States, Puerto Rico or Guam.
- SATs/ACTs are considered in combination with high school grades.
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
For Fall (September) 2021 and Winter (January) 2022 entry, York University will deem the SAT/ACT as optional for students studying in a recognized accredited US curriculum high school in the United States, Puerto Rico or Guam. However, students who have completed a standardized test are encouraged to submit their test scores as it may support your application for competitive programs. SAT/ACT scores must be sent electronically from the College Board directly to York. Please browse the section below for pre-requisites and detailed admission requirements.
Note: An SAT/ACT test will be required from students who are not enrolled in a recognized accredited US curriculum high school in the United States, Puerto Rico or Guam or have not studied in a formal academic high-school environment.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
- AP College Board examinations are eligible for transfer credit, for results of 4 or 5, up to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or National Examinations Council (NECO)
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-to-high 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 72.
You are required to provide official evidence of academic achievement in secondary education. This can be demonstrated through:
- Final grades under the Ontario curriculum (obtained through correspondence, night school or through TVO)
- Credentials through other curricula, such as results from Advanced Placement (AP) or Advanced-level courses in the General Certificate of Education (GCE). (Students may register to sit for the AP and GCE examinations as private candidates.)
In the absence of final grades in courses:
- You must submit the results of standardized tests such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) with a minimum combined total of 1170 on the Critical Reading and Math components or a composite American College Testing (ACT) score of 24.
- Your application will be reviewed by an admissions sub-committee. If admitted, you will not be eligible for entrance scholarships. You will be considered for continuing student scholarships at the end of your first year of study, if you satisfy those criteria.
You may also be required to provide proof of language proficiency. You will be considered for entrance scholarships on the basis of your overall averages in the six 4U/4M (Ontario curriculum) or equivalent courses.
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