Careers for Philosophy graduates
Philosophy degrees and employability
Many prospective students of philosophy, and even more so their parents, are sometimes concerned about the job prospects of philosophy graduates. It is true that ’first destination’ figures, which are collected three months after graduation, often show philosophy graduates towards the bottom of the table. However one reason for this is that many philosophy graduates have rejected the idea of a conventional path through life, and so seek more unusual forms of work, and so take their time to find the right opportunity. Figures are not available for career destinations ten years after graduation but on anecdotal evidence there is reason to think that philosophy graduates are at least as likely to have found satisfying employment as those who have graduated in other disciplines, perhaps rather more so.
The Subject Centre for Philosophical and Religious Studies at the Higher Education Academy have produced an employability guide Where Next? Unlocking the Potential of Your Philosophy Degree aimed at philosophy undergraduates.
Getting a job in Philosophy
Getting a permanent position in philosophy is difficult, especially in the current financial climate. But there is a good deal of help and advice available on the process of applying for and securing a fixed-term or permanent job. Visit the the BIPPA website for additional advice. An interesting blog on the job market (and other philosophy matters) from the US can be found here.
For job listings, see:
A Guide for Philosophers in Non-Permanent Employment in the UK: this guide is aimed at all those either planning to work or currently working in non-permanent employment in the UK, including those on teaching only contracts, short-term teaching and research contracts, and those in post-doctoral positions. Its purpose is to provide information and advice for academics in non-permanent employment on the issues they may face, and how they can address them.
Improving Careers in Philosophy: this document outlines some of the problems surrounding working conditions and career progression that are faced by casual and temporary staff working in philosophy departments, and includes a list of proposals that we would like heads of department to consider implementing.
Alternative Career Paths for the Academically Trained
Many academically trained philosophers seek careers outside of academic philosophy and which draw on their academic skills in research, analysis, writing and communication. These could be careers in other areas of academia or careers outside of academia. These are often called ‘alt-ac’ careers and these are many resources for philosophers who are considering them:
- Prospects.ac.uk Philosophy – job options, indicative careers, and typical kinds of employers
- APA Beyond the Academy – non-academic career paths for graduate philosophers (data, strategies, examples, webinars) curated by the American Philosophical Association.
- Philosopher’s Cocoon Alt-Ac Jobs – discussions of alt-ac careers, transition advice, and workshops and explainers.
- Free Range Philosophers – stories of philosophy graduates who have pursued other careers, including a detailed list of links to discussions, articles, and other resources.
Success Stories
Here we give examples of a number of people who graduated in philosophy in the UK and have achieved a great deal in their subsequent careers away from Philosophy. Some are well-known, others less so. We cannot claim that all philosophy graduates could achieve similar success but the examples do show where a philosophy degree can lead.
- Katy Balls. Journalist and political editor of The Spectator.
- Liz Barker, Philosophy, Southampton. Blue Peter presenter.
- Louis de Bernieres, Philosophy, Manchester. Novelist.
- William Boyd, English and Philosophy, Glasgow. Novelist.
- Cortina Butler, Philosophy and Psychology, Oxford. Global Editor, Reader’s Digest Books.
- Mike Brearley, Philosophy, Cambridge. Former England cricket captain, currently a psychoanalyst.
- Gavin Bryars, Philosophy, Sheffield. Musician and composer.
- David Cameron MP, PPE, Oxford. Leader of Conservative Party and former UK Prime Minister s
- Peter Clarke, Philosophy, Sussex. Children’s Commissioner for Wales.
- Sir Nigel Crisp, Philosophy Cambridge. Chief Executive of NHS England 2000-2006.
- Seb Dance, Philosophy and Politics, Manchester. Parliamentary Researcher, and co-founder of ’blog-site’ ’re.engage’.
- Steve Day, Philosophy, Liverpool. Deaf stand up comedian.
- Jonathan Dimbleby, Philosophy, UCL. Broadcaster and author.
- Pascal Etcheber, Philosophy Exeter. International Management Consultant, and co-author of Managing Sensitive Projects: A Lateral Approach
- Ken Follett, Philosophy, UCL. Best-selling thriller writer.
- Michael Frayn, Philosophy Cambridge. Playwright.
- Rickey Gervais, Philosophy, UCL. Comedian, writer and actor.
- Winston Fletcher, Philosophy, Cambridge. Advertising executive and author.
- Patricia Gonsalves, Philosophy and Cultural Studies, London, Executive Director Greenwich Mediation Centre.
- Charles Handy, Classics, History and Philosophy, Oxford. Business consultant and leading management theorist.
- William Hague MP, PPE, Oxford. Former leader of Conservative Party
- Oliver Letwin, MP, Philosophy and History, Cambridge. Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.
- Fr Konrad Loewenstein, PPE, Oxford. Priest of the Fraternity of Saint Peter.
- Henry McDonald, Philosophy, Queen’s Belfast. Political columnist, Observer newspaper.
- Michael Mansfield, QC, Philosophy and History, Keele. Leading criminal defence lawyer.
- Tim Mason, Philosophy and Literature, Warwick. Director of Marketing, Tesco.
- Sir Nicholas Montague, PPE Oxford. Recently retired as Chairman of the Inland Revenue.
- Graham Moore, Philosophy and Literature, Warwick. Chief Constable of West Yorkshire.
- Shereen Nanjiani, Philosophy, Glasgow. Scottish TV news reader.
- Matthew Parish, Philosophy, Cambridge. Lawyer and Counsel at the World Bank, Washington, DC.
- Nick Rosen, Philosophy, Exeter. Award winning TV producer.
- John Pugh MP, Philosophy, Durham, Liberal Democratic member of parliament for Southport.
- Domhnall Ruadh, Philosophy and Drama, Edinburgh. Actor, writer and director in Gaelic and English radio, theatre, T. V. and film.
- Jonathan Sacks, Philosophy, Cambridge. Chief Rabbi.
- Sir Robert John Sawyer, Physics and Philosophy, Nottingham. Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) 2009-2014 and British Permanent Representative to the United Nations 2007-2009.
- Joe Simpson, English and Philosophy, Edinburgh. Mountaineer and author of Touching the Void.
- John Stammers, Philosophy, King’s College, London. Poet; winner of Forward Prize for Best First Collection for his first book of poems (2001) and Poetry Book Society winter choice for a more recent collection.
- John Suchet, Philosophy & Politics, St Andrews/Dundee. Broadcaster and biographer of Beethoven.
- Lord (Dick) Taverne QC, Philosophy and Ancient History, Oxford. Long and distinguished legal and political career.
- Alexander Thynne, Marquess of Bath, PPE Oxford. Britain’s most eccentric peer.
- Dominic Willsdon, MA, PhD Essex. Curator of Public Events at Tate Modern.
- Phil Woolas, Philosophy, Manchester. MP, Minister for Local Government.
