Program Overview

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Artificial Intelligence and Philosophy BSc

Key Information

Course type: Joint honours Delivery mode: In person Study mode: Full time Required A-level: A*AA Full entry requirements, including contextual requirements Duration: Three years Application status: Open Start date: September 2025 Application deadline: 29 January 2025 Optional study abroad Apply via UCAS

Course Essentials

Our new joint-honours degree combines Artificial Intelligence (AI) with philosophy’s study of the big questions. This unique degree is the first of its kind in the UK, and will equip you with technical and critical thinking skills that open doors to careers in tech, government, journalism, business, research and more. AI increasingly affects our everyday lives, from online banking to autonomous vehicles. On this degree, you'll learn more about these applications via programming, machine learning, data science and AI-driven transformation of government strategies. AI also raises urgent philosophical questions for our modern society - from ethical questions about the value of human interaction or transparency in decision-making, to theoretical questions about the nature of intelligence and rationality. You'll study an equal balance of AI and philosophy to develop a broad, global mindset. You'll learn how to develop and deploy AI for use in society, and understand the challenges raised as AI technologies evolve and are used more widely. The AI elements of the course are designed to align with governmental strategies and the core learning outcomes of a degree in AI. The philosophy content provides foundations for understanding the expected AI-driven transformation of the personal, economic and social landscapes, the profound ethical and societal impact of AI, as well as the application of ethical principles to the development and use of AI.

Special Features

Optional Study Abroad

On this programme, you will have the opportunity to apply to study abroad, supported by the Study Abroad Tutor in your department and King’s Global Mobility Office. Together with partner organisations around the world, you will be supported in navigating your international, educational journey, developing new skills and competences and learning to apply different perspectives to your chosen discipline.

Regulating Bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

Entry Requirements

Subject Requirements

• Required subjects: A-level (or equivalent) grade A in Mathematics or Further Mathematics.
• Preferred subjects: None

A-Levels

• Required grades: A*AA
• Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels.
• Must contain grade A in Mathematics or Further Mathematics.
• Notes: If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical component. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.

Contextual A-Level Information

• Required grades: AAB
• Must contain grade A in Mathematics or Further Mathematics.
• Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels.
• Notes: If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical component. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

• 38 points overall or an aggregate score of 19 from three Higher Levels.
• Must include grade 6 in Higher Level Mathematics or Further Mathematics.
• Notes: The total point score of 38 includes TOK/EE. IB students studying the new Maths curriculum would be required to study either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation at Higher Level to meet the subject requirement for this programme.

Contextual International Baccalaureate Information

• 35 points overall or an aggregate score of 17 from three Higher Levels.
• Must include grade 6 in Higher Level Mathematics or Further Mathematics.
• Notes: The total point score of 35 includes TOK/EE. IB students studying the new Maths curriculum would be required to study either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation at Higher Level to meet the subject requirement for this programme.

Alternative Accepted Qualifications

• Access to HE Diploma
• BTEC Nationals/CTECs
• Cambridge Pre-U
• European Baccalaureate
• Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

International Applicants

Equivalent International Qualifications

• Course specific subject requirements are indicated in subject requirements above

English Language Requirements

• English language band: D
• Please note that nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries (as defined by UKVI) who have successfully completed high school in the respective country, are not required to complete an English language test. For information on our English requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.

Selection Process

Contextual Consideration

• We make contextual offers for this programme, which can be found in the entry requirements. As part of the assessment process, we take into account contextual information to gain a more complete picture of each application. More information can be found on the Contextualised admissions website.

Deferrals

• Applications can be submitted for deferred entry by choosing the appropriate year of entry on the UCAS application.
• If your circumstances change and, therefore, you need to request a deferral after an offer has been made, then we can generally permit these for this programme. However, each deferral request will be considered on a case-by-case basis and we reserve the right to decline any post-offer deferral request. Requests should be submitted via a message on King’s Apply with an explanation of the reason for making the request.

Foundation Courses

• Applicants studying Foundation Year programmes in the UK are welcome to apply for this programme. Foundation programmes from other universities and further education providers in the UK are considered on a case-by-case basis. Whether or not we can consider a particular foundation year as suitable for study at King's depends on the content of the syllabus and modules studied. In the past we have accepted foundation programmes from a number of other institutions.
• We are unable to accept Foundation programmes that are integrated as part of a main degree at another institution. These may be called Year 0 or Integrated Foundations. We are also unable to accept non-UK Foundation courses.

Graduates

• Our general entry requirements are based on A-level or equivalent. However, where an applicant is completing/has completed a degree, we are able to consider the degree study as part of the assessment of the application.
• Generally, we would consider a minimum of a UK Bachelor degree with a 2:1 grade profile (or overseas equivalent) as meeting the entry requirements for our undergraduate degrees. However, those who have achieved/are predicted a high 2:1 or a First may be considered more competitive.
• Where a programme has subject requirements, these will still need to have been met. If you have not met the subject requirements via A-level (or equivalent) then we may be able to consider the content within your degree. We would be looking for significant study of the subject across the degree programme with a 2:1 or above grading on those modules.

Personal Statement

• Your personal statement is one of the many factors in the overall assessment of your application, and is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the university and inform us of your commitment to the programme and profession as well as any work experience or extracurricular activities you have done.

Resits

• In a standard admissions cycle, we are able to consider applicants who have retaken their qualifications, however, you should bear in mind that your application for this programme will be reviewed alongside other strong applicants who might be viewed more favourably if they achieved the required grades within a standard timeframe, for example, a two year period for A-levels.
• We consider applicants who have recently achieved grades which are below the entry criteria, and have subsequently studied/are studying another qualification to seek entry, such as an Access to HE Diploma or a Foundation programme, to be resit applicants.

Transfers

• Transfers into this programme are not permitted.

Teaching and Structure

Teaching Methods - What to Expect

• In your philosophy modules, we aim to combine a wide range of study options with direct contact with our staff. Our emphasis on small-group teaching in tutorials and seminars makes King’s an excellent place to acquire and develop the skills of critical thinking, and to express your ideas both in writing and in philosophical discussion.
• Artificial Intelligence teaching is predominantly through lectures, which are supplemented by tutorials, labs and exercise sessions.

Course Stage

Course Stage	Percentage of Time in Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Percentage of Time in Guided Independent Study	Percentage of Time on Placements
Year 1	27%	73%	N/A
Year 2	27%	73%	N/A
Final Year	27%	73%	N/A

Assessment

• Coursework
• Written/Practical Examinations
• Written examinations
• Essays
• Practical Examinations
• Oral presentation
• Reports
• Class tests
• Projects

Structure

• This is a three-year degree course in which you will take a combination of required and optional modules to total 360 credits. Students who transfer to the four-year programme, will study abroad in Year 3, and across the programme will take a combination of required and optional modules to total 480 credits.

Required Modules

AI Required Modules

• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (15 credits)
• Logic and Knowledge Representation (15 credits)
• Mathematics and Statistics for Artificial Intelligence I (15 credits)
• Mathematics and Statistics for Artificial Intelligence II (15 credits)
• Introduction to Professional Practice (0 credits)

Philosophy Required Modules

• Methodology (15 credits)
• Ethics I (15 credits) OR Epistemology I (15 credits)

Optional Modules

• 30 additional credits from the following 15-credits modules, which may typically include:
  • Metaphysics I (15 credits)
  • Ethics I (15 credits)
  • Greek Philosophy I (15 credits)
  • Modern Philosophy I (15 credits)
  • Political Philosophy I (15 credits)

Employability

• Our degrees equip our students with key transferable skills. In addition to the number of profiles available to philosophy graduates and AI graduates – the latter including big-data scientist, cloud AI engineer, knowledge engineer, robot interaction engineer, and R&D AI engineer – there are several job profiles that specifically require training in both AI and philosophy, including AI Ethicist, algorithmic impact and responsibility scientist, data scientist, scientific journalist/editor for AI.

Tuition Fees

Full Time Tuition Fees UK

• The UK tuition fee for the academic year is currently £9,535 per year. This is based on the UK Government's cap.

Full Time Tuition Fees International

• The International tuition fee for the academic year is £31,600 per year.
• Please note that the International tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions.

Funding

• To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.

Related Departments

• Department of Philosophy
• Department of Informatics
• Faculty of Arts & Humanities
• Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences

Open Days and Events

• Chat with current students and King's staff to find out about the courses we offer, life at King's and ask any questions you may have.

King's Launches 'First-of-Its-Kind' Degree in AI & Philosophy

• 17 September 2024
• The new BSc aims to equip students with technical and critical skills that open doors to careers in tech, government, journalism, business, research and more.

Women in STEM Scholarship

• Scholarships are available to female undergraduate applicants. Find out more about eligibility and apply.