Is the Diploma in Philosophy analytic or continental?

Both. The Diploma in Philosophy covers the analytic and continental traditions in dialogue rather than treating either as the default. Students often elect a leaning by their long essay, but the taught content keeps both traditions in view.

Do I need an A-Level in philosophy?

No. The Diploma in Philosophy is open to anyone who has completed secondary school or who can demonstrate equivalent reading discipline through a writing sample. Many students arrive without prior formal philosophy background.

Does the Diploma in Philosophy lead to a Bachelor's degree?

Yes. The Diploma in Philosophy articulates into the final year of a UK BA in Philosophy or Humanities via the top-up route at LSJHML or a partner university. Admissions reviews your transcript and maps credits at the application stage.

Can I study the Diploma in Philosophy online?

Yes. The Diploma in Philosophy runs on-campus in central London, fully online with weekly cohort seminars, and as distance learning. The supervised long essay is the same across all three modes.

What fees and instalment options are available?

Fees vary by mode and intake. LSJHML offers an instalment plan across the academic year and a small early-application discount. Contact admissions for the current schedule.

Diploma in Philosophy in London | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Diploma in Philosophy at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a nine-to-twelve-month UK qualification for serious independent thinkers, working professionals and students preparing for further study who want a structured grounding in philosophy. The course is taught in dialogue with the Royal Institute of Philosophy and the Society for Applied Philosophy.

You will work through the major Western traditions — ancient, modern, contemporary — engage with continental and analytic methods, read closely from primary texts, and produce a supervised long essay of 6,000–8,000 words on a philosophical question of your own.

Key Features

UK Diploma at Level 4/5 — recognised by employers and a credit-transfer pathway into a Bachelor's top-up.
Ancient and modern philosophy — Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Hume, Kant, Mill close-read in seminar.
Contemporary philosophy — analytic and continental traditions, philosophy of mind, political philosophy.
Argument-craft module — logic, fallacies, argument mapping at a working level.
Applied ethics seminars covering contemporary medical, technological and political questions.
Supervised long essay of 6,000–8,000 words on a question of your own with named tutor support.

What You Will Learn

The Diploma in Philosophy is structured around the working practice of philosophy — read closely, argue carefully, write clearly. You finish able to read a primary philosophical text closely, place it in its tradition, identify and evaluate its arguments, and sustain a 6,000–8,000-word essay on a philosophical question of your own.

Ancient philosophy — Plato, Aristotle, Stoicism, Epicureanism.
Early modern philosophy — Descartes, Hume, Locke, Berkeley, Kant.
Nineteenth-century philosophy — Mill, Marx, Nietzsche, Hegel.
Twentieth-century analytic philosophy — Russell, Wittgenstein, Quine, Rawls.
Twentieth-century continental philosophy — Heidegger, Sartre, Foucault, Habermas.
Argument craft — formal and informal logic, fallacies, argument mapping.
Ethics — major traditions and contemporary applications.
Philosophical writing — essay architecture, citation, peer review.

Who This Course Is For

Serious independent readers wanting a structured route into philosophical study.
Working professionals — clinicians, lawyers, technologists, civil servants — facing philosophical questions in their work.
Career-changers from corporate or technical backgrounds moving toward editorial, research or teaching roles.
Certificate-level graduates progressing toward a Bachelor's top-up year.

Career Pathways

The Diploma in Philosophy is a foundation credential that supports progression into research-track, editorial and teaching pathways, and articulates into a Bachelor's top-up year. Typical roles include:

Ethics Adviser (junior role, NHS trust, research institution)
Researcher (junior role, think tank, academic centre)
Policy Analyst (junior role, government department, third sector)
Compliance Officer (regulated sectors with ethical-judgement requirements)
Lecturer Pathway (with subsequent BA, MA, PhD)
Editorial Researcher (academic publishing, longform magazine)

The Diploma articulates into the final year of a UK BA in Philosophy or Humanities at LSJHML or a partner university.

Entry Requirements

Completion of secondary school (A-Levels, BTEC, or international equivalent).
IELTS 5.5 overall (no band below 5.0) for non-native English speakers.
Personal statement and a short essay sample.
Mature applicants (21+) may apply with two years of relevant work experience.

Why Study at LSJHML

The London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London. Our programmes are designed in dialogue with working professionals — journalists, translators, civil servants, academics, broadcasters, editors, publishers and policy researchers — so what you learn in seminar on Monday is what your future employer is using on Tuesday. We deliberately keep cohorts small, give every student named tutor support, and treat employability as a structural part of every programme rather than an optional add-on.

London is the work — politics, courts, capital markets, theatre, broadcasting, publishing, public service, the global press. Your studies are taught in the same square mile where the stories you read about happen. Whether you join us on-campus, online or by distance learning, the city is your classroom and our industry network is your launchpad.