Philosophy is a study that focuses on finding and understanding fundamental truths about one’s life and existence, challenging to always go deeper into the essence of the problem. Literally translated, philosophy means “love of wisdom”. The aim of this article is not only to list the names of the philosophy schools and the degrees they offer but to also potentially inspire someone to decide to study philosophy and perhaps apply for a scholarship at one of these universities. Without further ado, here are some of the best philosophy schools in the world.
Is Philosophy a Useful Degree?
Absolutely! Philosophy is an integral part of many disciplines. It provides a foundation for thinking critically about complex theoretical concepts which apply to many fields like law, business, and politics. All these fields of knowledge are deeply interconnected with philosophical principles, such as ethics, epistemology, metaphysics, and logic. For example, in law, philosophical discussions on the nature of justice inform legal theory and practice. If you are choosing to study Philosophy, then rest assured that you are enrolling in one of the most fascinating and intellectually challenging disciplines out there.
Which country is a good destination for a degree in the field of philosophy?
There are several countries at the top of the list when it comes to a degree in the field of philosophy, but Australia is considered the best. This country is quite developed and offers excellent formal education to both domestic and international students who want to study in a developed country. Australia is regarded as one of the best because it has some of the best universities in the world, all of which contribute to the country’s position as the best in the field.
Top Philosophy Schools in the World
1. New York University (NYU)
The Department of Philosophy at New York University offers a variety of different interesting and important subjects to everyone who wishes not only to study and get a degree in philosophy but to also get in-depth knowledge in various science fields that are connected to philosophy.
The Department encourages its students to participate in class discussions as much as possible in order to perfect their skills, to think and speak in their unique way and develop an analytical way of thinking and processing information.
2. Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Although Rutgers University has a wide range of faculties and schools under its wing, one of the departments that are worth mentioning is its School of Arts and Sciences where its Department of Philosophy can be found. Rutgers Department of Philosophy is considered to be one of the best philosophy schools in the world and that reputation has followed it for years.
Department of Philosophy at the Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences has a very simple yet strong policy: they will provide the best possible knowledge to their students, but the key to being a successful Rutgers student is in the way the knowledge will be applied – the faculty encourages critical thinking with a clear idea before one’s eyes that will be delivered directly, but respectfully towards the other party.
See Also: 7 Best Countries to Study Philosophy Abroad
3. University of Pittsburgh
Although the University of Pittsburg is mostly known for being a public research institution, one of the major ones to be precise, its Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences is worth mentioning, especially because there you could study philosophy at one of the best philosophy departments in the world.
Some would say it is a rather small department in comparison to the magnitude of the whole University, but that “small department” offers invaluable knowledge in various aspects of philosophy, a number of majors and minors to choose and both master’s and doctor’s degree.
4. University of Oxford
Apart from having the title of the oldest university in the English-speaking world, the University of Oxford boasts a large number of respected academic institutions. This includes Oxford University’s Faculty of Philosophy, which is considered one of the best philosophy schools in the world. But that’s not all – a large number of its students are international students, which makes this school both culturally and academically versatile.
If the above mentioned doesn’t spark your interest in this school, maybe the fact that it offers a variety of degrees (bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate’s) and both lectures and seminars about different aspects and ways of philosophy, as well as its own publishing and -nowadays very popular- podcast definitely will.
Check out: 5 Free Philosophy Schools with No Tuition
5. The Australian National University
Looks like Australians like to keep it simple: they know that they’re offering fantastic knowledge and programs, so what you’ll find on their official website is pretty direct. You don’t have to read loads of pages to see what areas of philosophy they’re focusing on, it’s all right there; so, if you know exactly what you want from your studies, this school just may be perfect for you.
Since it falls under the category of research schools, ANU School of Philosophy has various research programs that many students of this excellent philosophy institution find inspiring and interesting.
6. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
What makes the Department of Philosophy, Logic, and Scientific Method at the LSE different than other philosophy departments in the world is the way this school connects philosophy and its ways to other social sciences in modern and analytical ways.
Considered one of the top economics institutions in the world, LSE also offers executive education aside from your usual undergraduate and graduate courses. Executive education involves a variety of executive master’s degrees, various online certificate courses, and even the possibility of attending a summer school program.
Being a modern school, LSE is very much active on every form of social media. It has its own blog and own podcast. It even has recordings of many of its previous guest seminars and research, making this school a bit more appealing to potential students.
7. University of Cambridge
The second-oldest university in the English-speaking world lives up to its reputation again. Besides being one of the world’s most prestigious universities in general, the University of Cambridge’s Faculty of Philosophy is also found in the top 10 best philosophy schools in the world. As stated on their official site, the faculty is a part of the University’s School of Arts and Humanities.
Studying philosophy at the University of Cambridge is like reading a literary classic (Shakespeare, for example) – you can’t go wrong with it. You know that you will gain the highest knowledge no matter what field of study you choose, be it philosophy, in this case, you will learn something new and useful and, most importantly, you will not regret the experience. What makes the experience of studying philosophy at this school even more inspiring is that there might be a chance that someday you could become one of the reputable academic philosophers working at the University. If your hopes and dreams don’t reach that far, maybe you’ll find the Faculty’s rich library inspiring enough (because who wouldn’t want to roam around a Cambridge-university library?).
Discover more: 7 Best Philosophy Schools in Europe
These are some of the best universities around the world for students who want to pursue a degree in Philosophy abroad. Of course, these are only some of the institutions you can study philosophy in most universities around the world. Your choice should mainly depend on the curriculum and how it aligns with your objectives, the universities’ acceptance rates, and the tuition fees they charge. If you are an international student on a budget, consider looking into these 5 Free Philosophy Schools with No Tuition.
Hopefully, this article on the world’s best philosophy schools was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs for International Students!
