Why study A-Level Philosophy? (Year 11)

Post-16 choices shouldn't be made on syllabus details alone. This lesson plan will help you to show Year 11 students whether A-Level Philosophy or another post-16 route fits them best, drawing on the jobs it leads to and the skills it builds.

This lesson is designed to be delivered in 30 minutes as a teacher-led classroom activity.

Philosophy isn't taught at GCSE, so this lesson is best hosted in an English Literature, History, or Religious Studies class - the subjects most likely to attract students drawn to Philosophy. The lesson assumes no Philosophy subject expertise from the host teacher.

This activity supports the following frameworks:

  • Gatsby Benchmark 4

This activity is suitable for Year 11 and features careers linked to the following subjects:

  • Philosophy

This is one of three lesson plans designed for Year 11 teachers introducing students to Philosophy:

These lesson plans will help you show students how Philosophy connects to their future careers - whether or not they go on to study it at A-Level.

We recommend using this lesson plan at the beginning of the spring term, as students approach their post-16 choices. It builds on the two earlier lesson plans and draws them together to help students make an informed decision.

A-Level Philosophy is one post-16 route among several - and because Philosophy isn't a GCSE, many students reach this point without having seriously considered it, or carrying worries about it that aren't quite right (that it's "just opinions", or that it will undermine what they believe). This lesson plan helps them decide whether it's the right choice for them, or whether Philosophy-style skills fit their future better through another route.

Learning objectives

  • Students will understand what studying A-Level Philosophy involves.
  • Students will recognise how Philosophy fits different post-16 routes.
  • Students will be able to say whether A-Level Philosophy is right for them and why.

Before the lesson

  • You will need a computer connected to the internet and a classroom screen.
  • Open the What can you do with Philosophy? page and have it ready on the screen.
  • Review the page in full so you know what's in each section. Pay particular attention to the FAQs Is Philosophy just personal opinions? and Will A-Level Philosophy challenge my beliefs? - these are the worries that most often stop Year 11 students from picking the subject.

During the lesson

1. Recap: jobs and skills (5 mins)

  • Ask students to recall what they discussed in the earlier Year 11 lessons:
    • What jobs use Philosophy?
    • What skills does Philosophy build, and where else do they build them?
  • Write their answers on the board as a quick recap.

2. Walking through the page (15 mins)

  • Bring up the What can you do with Philosophy? page on the classroom screen.
  • Show students the table of contents so they see the shape of what's on the page.
  • Walk through the key sections together, unpacking why each one matters for their post-16 decisions:
    • Philosophy at A-Level - What the course covers (theory of knowledge, ethics, philosophy of religion, philosophy of mind) and what kind of work it asks of you. Address the common worry head-on: Philosophy isn't graded on what you conclude, only on how carefully you argue for it - and teachers are trained to present arguments across the spectrum without pushing their own.
    • Subjects that pair with Philosophy - Which other A-Level choices work well alongside it, and which pairings suit different routes.
    • Where Philosophy can take you next - The routes Philosophy graduates take, including degrees, apprenticeships, and direct entry. Highlight that a Philosophy degree often comes paired with another subject - PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics), Philosophy and Theology, Philosophy and Mathematics, Philosophy and a language - and that these pairings shape where it leads.
  • If your school offers A-Level Philosophy, briefly outline the syllabus, exam board, and assessment methods.

3. Is A-Level Philosophy right for you? (10 mins)

  • Ask students to think about whether A-Level Philosophy fits their post-16 plan.
  • Prompt them with questions:
    • Do the skills Philosophy builds appeal to you - rigorous argument, close reading, logical reasoning, and being able to form a view when answers aren't settled?
    • Do the jobs Philosophy leads to interest you, and how are they reached?
    • Does A-Level Philosophy pair well with your other post-16 choices - and would a combined degree (PPE, Philosophy and Theology, Philosophy and Maths) open the right doors for you?
    • Would a different route work better - a non-Philosophy A-Level set that builds similar skills, an apprenticeship in a Philosophy-adjacent field like law or the civil service, or direct entry into communications, advocacy, or local government?
  • Close by reminding students that the best post-16 choice is the one they'll engage with - whether that's A-Level Philosophy, a different A-Level mix, an apprenticeship, or going straight into work. Interest and effort are what lead to good results, and good results open doors.

After the lesson

  • Share the What can you do with Philosophy? page with students and their parents/carers:
    • www.coffeewith.xyz/subjects/what-can-you-do-with-philosophy
  • Encourage parents/carers to explore the page with their child and to discuss the contents.
  • Encourage parents/carers to also explore related videos and careers with their child.
  • Use the School Tools / Activities feature to record the lesson activity:
    • Activity name: Year 11 - Why study A-Level Philosophy?
    • Activity type: Linking curriculum learning to careers