BA Philosophy

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy or B.A Philosophy is a three-year undergraduate programme in which the students are taught about the fundamental and general problems. In B.A. Philosophy, the students learn a great deal about these problems which are connected with language, mind, reason, values, knowledge and existence. In this programme, the students are also taught how to enhance critical thinking skills, ability to speak and defend a point of view which is reasoned. This undergraduate programme is offered both in regular mode and distance mode.

B.A. Philosophy deals with the different aspects of Philosophy that exist in Indian and Western cultures. From the history of Philosophy, we can learn about the world’s greatest thinkers and how they found the answers to life’s fundamental questions. B.A. in Philosophy teaches us to find the answers to our questions of life in similar ways. The subject is all about experiencing a connection between different thoughts and notions. The learners can elucidate that connection logically.

The B.A. in Philosophy course aims at preparing the learners as good analyzers. With the learning of philosophy, they develop an eye for analysis. The deep thoughts conveyed in the course regarding life help the students to think and see life differently. They gain the ability to question a matter, clearly argue about that, and present believable explanations. Being a subject of thought, the study of B.A. Philosophy revolves around ethics, logic, knowledge, etc. The course is apt for students who are keen to know about life and existence and want to deep delve into the matter.

B.A. Philosophy Highlights

Mentioned below are the major highlights of the B.A. Philosophy course:

Why Study B.A. Philosophy?

Some of the key reasons for pursuing B.A. Philosophy are as follows: 

• As a subject B.A. Philosophy lays a great contribution to the world of education. As the subject works in the intellectual part of life, students who are thinkers often sought after this course.
• By pursuing a B.A. in Philosophy course, students come to know about conventional philosophical questions and their established answers.
• By learning about Philosophies through the B.A. Philosophy courses, they develop critical and interpretive minds. It arms them with the logical thinking ability that they use to interpret contemporary philosophies.
• The content of the course is diverse. As the subject itself is interlinked with other disciplines, the understanding obtained through the B.A. Philosophy course helps to comprehend other related subjects as well.
• B.A. Philosophy course instills some abilities like decision-making ability, problem-solving skills, persuasive powers, logical thinking ability, etc.
• After completing the course, students can explore an array of job opportunities like a social worker, teacher, journalist, etc.

Students with a class XIIth pass out a certificate from any stream and a recognised Board are eligible to apply for B.A Philosophy admission in Indian Universities and Institutions.  As an eligibility criterion, students must have 50% in their 12th board exam. The percentage may vary from college to college. Reserved category candidates get relaxation as per govt. rules

B.A Philosophy Admission Process

Admissions into the B.A Philosophy programme is given on the basis of marks obtained by the candidates or applicants in their qualifying level exam. On the basis of their qualifying level marks, a cutoff list is prepared by the Universities/Institutions on the basis of which, final admission is given to the most suitable ones.

B.A. Philosophy admission details can be availed from the official websites of the colleges. The admission is processed through two different modes. For B.A. Philosophy Admission Process, some colleges conduct their entrance exams and some others prefer to select candidates based on their merit.

However, students need to find out all the B.A. Philosophy course details before initiating the admission process. Elaborated here on both the admission processes:

Entrance-Based Admission Process

• In this admission process, priority is given to the entrance exam scores for the selection of the students.
• Colleges release an admission notification for B.A. graduation courses including Philosophy.  Students need to choose their subject and make the registration for the entrance exam
• By paying the entrance exam fees, they confirm their appearance for the exam
• On the scheduled day, they appear for the entrance test
• The respective colleges then publish a cutoff list and those who secure the prescribed cutoff marks and above are offered admission for the B.A. Philosophy courses.

Merit-Based Admission Process

• Colleges publish an admission notification and invite applications from the interested candidates
• Interested applicants then fill up the application form and submit the required documents along with the application fees
• Colleges then prepare a merit list based on the scores secured in the class 12th board exam and offer admission accordingly
• After completing the admission formalities, students are enrolled in the B.A. Philosophy course.

B.A. Philosophy Entrance Exams

B.A. Philosophy entrance exams are vital for the colleges that offer B.A. Philosophy admission is based on entrance scores. The entrance exams are conducted to determine the applicants’ potential and assess whether the students possess basic knowledge of the subject. Listed below are some entrance exams conducted for admission to B.A. Philosophy courses:

Goenka Aptitude Test (GATA)

JNU Entrance Exam

Delhi University Entrance Test ( DUET)

Banaras Hindu University Undergraduate Entrance Test

Mewar University Entrance Exam (MUEE)

Patna University Entrance Examination (PUEE)

B.A. Philosophy Entrance Exam Preparation

Some preparation strategies need to be followed for doing well in the exam. Listed below are the preparation tips that one may consider for B.A. Philosophy entrance exam:

• To excel in the entrance exam of B.A. in Philosophy courses, students must know about the question pattern of the respective exams
• Acquire knowledge of the complete syllabus and prepare a study schedule
• Take a practical approach while preparing the study schedule
• Use different study materials like magazines, newspapers, and reference books
• Do a lot of research on specific topics if required
• Identify weak areas and invest more time in that
• Ensure to practice mock test papers and previous years’ question papers
• Take brief notes for each chapter. It will help to make a quick revision of the topics
• Revise the syllabus again and again

The syllabus of B.A. The syllabus varies from college to college. In the following table, the semester-wise B.A. Philosophy Syllabus has been provided to give a general idea of the subject:

The skills achieved with the studies of Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy assist in getting a good job. Communication skills, adaptability, critical thinking ability, listening skills, research, and analysis skills help a candidate to make great advancements in their career.With a Bachelors degree in Philosophy, the students can opt for either of the following jobs or career prospects - 

• Public Relation Journalist
• Union or Corporate Mediator
• Technical Writer
• Poet/Novelist
• Lecturer or Teacher
• Content Writers
• Publishers

B.A. Philosophy Future Scopes

Choosing a course by focusing on its future scope is important. B. A Philosophy course unveils some potential career opportunities for its graduates. For not being confined to limited job opportunities, B.A. Philosophy opens up multiple career paths for students. A fresh graduate of the Bachelor of Arts Philosophy can start their career in writing, teaching, administrative field, social work, research work, public services, etc.

Employers prefer professionals who possess the quality of independent thinking. This is the reason a B.A. Philosophy graduate is always in the preference of employers.

After graduation, if anyone wants a career advancement or wants a further education then doing a Master’s degree would be the best option for them.

B.A. Philosophy course is not a professional course. Hence, if a student wants to give a professional touch-up to his existing bachelor’s degree, then pursuing an MBA degree would be beneficial for them.

B.A. Philosophy Job Profiles

B.A. Philosophy jobs come with competitive pay packages. The graduates of B.A. in Philosophy can choose a career from a variety of options. Some of the jobs that can be pursued after achieving the B.A. Philosophy degrees are as follows:

Public Relations Journalist- Maintaining a positive brand image of an organization is the key role a Public Relations Journalist performs on regular basis. To keep the positive image intact, he/she builds up different strategies for social media relations, conducts PR campaigns, Press Releases, etc.

Writer- After studying B.A. in Philosophy one can begin a career as a writer and publish books. A writer possesses an exceptional perspective on life and matters and writes on a subject using his unique thinking ability.

Teacher- Individuals having an interest in learning and imparting knowledge choose the career of a teacher. After pursuing B.A. in Philosophy, often the successful candidates go on to this profession and earn huge respect in return.

Social worker- The ability of thinking and the unique perception of the society of a B.A. Philosophy graduates make them highly desirable for the prestigious position of a social worker. Social workers support the development of society by extending their helping hands toward the children elderly people, orphans, and every people in a society

Administrator- An administrator coordinates and oversees different activities performed in an office and ensures work efficiency.

Publisher- Philosophy graduates can start their careers as publishers and get engaged in designing, editing, etc.

HR Executive- The skills achieved from the B.A. in Philosophy course help the candidates to begin their career as an HR Executive. The professionals of this designation hire employees, manage HR Policies, and create referral programmes.

Counsellor- A B.A. Philosophy graduates can join an educational institution as counsellor and provide advice to the students and their parents.

B.A. Philosophy Job Salary

After completing the B. A Philosophy course a graduate gets a quite decent salary and it increases depending on the careers chosen and experiences. Listed below are the B.A. Philosophy salary for some popular careers: