What school subjects are useful before studying philosophy?
Useful subjects before studying philosophy include English or literature, history, politics, religious studies, and social sciences, because they develop reading, argument, interpretation, and critical-thinking skills. Mathematics can help with logic, while languages and science may support particular areas of philosophy. No single school-subject combination is essential for every course.
Key points
- Practise analysing arguments, identifying assumptions, and writing clearly with evidence.
- Reading demanding texts and discussing different viewpoints can provide valuable preparation.
- Maths or computer science may be especially relevant to logic, philosophy of science, or related areas.
Things to check
- Entry requirements and recommended subjects vary by university, country, and degree course, so check the official course information.