Philosophy
You’ll develop the cultural awareness and critical thinking skills you need to analyze and produce a broad range of discourse in a full spectrum of careers — and to make a difference in whatever you do.
- 2 Years / Onsite
- Intakes: Jan, Apr, Jun, Oct
Overview
Philosophy at Auckland Royal Academy develops rigorous thinkers who can construct and evaluate arguments, engage with fundamental questions about knowledge, reality, ethics, and justice, and apply philosophical analysis to contemporary challenges. The programme covers logic, epistemology, metaphysics, moral philosophy, political philosophy, and philosophy of mind, with particular attention to how philosophical traditions from European, Māori, Pacific, and Asian cultures engage with perennial questions about human existence and flourishing.
Seminars in the Philosophy programme are Socratic — driven by close reading of philosophical texts and the discipline of argument. Students are challenged to think with precision and intellectual humility, developing the ability to identify assumptions, follow logical implications, and articulate positions under scrutiny. Guest philosophers from New Zealand and international institutions contribute to a rich intellectual environment that takes ideas seriously.
Career Opportunities
Philosophy graduates from Auckland Royal Academy excel in law, public policy, research, journalism, education, technology ethics, and business leadership — careers where rigorous thinking, sound argument, and ethical clarity are decisive advantages. Philosophy has consistently produced graduates with the highest rates of success in law school and graduate school admissions, and with strong employment outcomes in knowledge-intensive industries.
Program Learning Outcomes
Construct and critically evaluate philosophical arguments across the major branches of the discipline — including ethics, epistemology, metaphysics, and political philosophy — demonstrating logical precision, intellectual honesty, and scholarly depth.
Apply ethical theory — including consequentialism, deontology, virtue ethics, and Māori ethical frameworks — to analyse contemporary moral dilemmas in professional, political, and social contexts relevant to New Zealand society.
Engage with philosophical texts from Western, indigenous, and non-Western traditions, demonstrating the ability to identify shared concerns and distinctive approaches to fundamental questions across diverse philosophical heritages.
Programme
| Semester 1 | Credits | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Philosophy | 4 | PHIL 101 |
| Foundations & Theory | 4 | PHIL 110 |
| Research Methods | 3 | PHIL 120 |
| Semester 2 | Credits | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Philosophy I | 4 | PHIL 201 |
| Professional Practice | 3 | PHIL 210 |
| Industry Context NZ | 4 | PHIL 220 |
| Semester 3 | Credits | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Philosophy II | 4 | PHIL 301 |
| Critical Perspectives | 3 | PHIL 310 |
| Ethics & Standards | 3 | PHIL 320 |
| Semester 4 | Credits | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Philosophy | 4 | PHIL 401 |
| Specialisation Elective | 3 | PHIL 410 |
| Philosophy Capstone Project | 4 | PHIL 490 |
| Total for the entire period of study | 11 |
Contact us
3/60 Federal Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
How to Apply?
- You Apply
Tell us a little about yourself and we’ll help with the rest. Our convenient online application tool only takes 10 minutes to complete.
- We Connect
After you submit your application, an admissions representative will contact you and will help you to complete the process.
- You Get Ready
Once you’ve completed your application and connected with an admissions representative, you’re ready to create your schedule.