Philosophy A Level (Distance Learning) at National Extension College *Fees Payable*
Course description
**DISTANCE LEARNING COURSE**
Exploring some of the biggest questions facing humankind, our home study A level Philosophy course will introduce you to ideas from some of the greatest minds to have contributed towards Western thinking throughout history. This wide-reaching distance learning qualification will encourage you to evaluate key philosophical concepts and themes and think about complex issues in new and challenging ways. You’ll develop a set of transferable intellectual skills that will promote independent thinking, improve your ability to produce rational arguments and become better at weighing up evidence. These skills will prove useful when studying any other academic subject, and the study of philosophy is intrinsically valuable. This course is available at AS, A2, and the full A level.
You should allow for between 120 and 150 hours' study time for the AS, plus additional time for completing assignments. You will have tutor support for a period of up to 18 months from the date of enrolment.
Course content
AS Section A: Epistemology
- Philosophical argument
- Introducing epistemology
- Responses to Gettier
- Concept empiricism
- Concept innatism (rationalism)
- Empiricism and rationalism on knowledge
- Theories of perception – direct rationalism
- Indirect realism
- Idealism
AS Section B: Philosophy of Religion
- The concept of God
Arguments for the existence of God
The design argument – Hume
The design argument – Swimburne - The cosmological argument
- The ontological argument
- The problem of evil
- Religious language
Entry requirements
No formal qualifications are required, but essay-writing skills are essential.
Assessment
This course follows specifications 2175 (A level), 1176 (AS) and 2176 (A2) from the awarding organisation AQA. Full details of the specifications can be obtained from AQA's website.
AS – One exam: 3hrs (100% of marks, counts for 50% of the A2)
A2 – One exam in addition to the AS exam: 3hrs (50% of marks)
Eight AS assignments, A2 assignments TBC
No coursework
Please note that due to upcoming changes the final opportunity to sit exams for this course isSummer 2018.
Financial information
**FEES PAYABLE**
It’s your choice: pay in full and discount your course fees, or spread the cost with our finance offer. To pay in instalments, you will need to enrol by telephone.
Representative examples:
Course fee: £545
Deposit: £54.50
Amount of credit: £490.50
Monthly payment: £81.75
Duration of agreement: 6 months
Total repayable: £545
Rate of interest: 0%(fixed)
0% APR representative.
Course fee: £325
Deposit: £32.50
Amount of credit: £292.50
Duration of agreement: 6 months
Total repayable: £325
Rate of interest: 0% (fixed)
0% APR representative.
- EU – £75 for the first course and £40 for second and subsequent courses
- Rest of the world – £130 for the first course and £70 for second and subsequent courses
Further information
Essential textbooks
AS
- Lacewing, M (2014), Philosophy for AS: Epistemology and Philosophy of Religion, Routledge
How to apply
If you want to apply for this course, you will need to contact National Extension College *Fees Payable* directly.
