Philosophy is often believed to be the “mother” of all other scientific disciplines. In honour of World Philosophy Day on 17 November, we’ve compiled a list of the best universities in the world for studying philosophy in 2025. Check it out!
Studying philosophy may help you build transferable skills to aid you in any field. In this post, we will look at the top 10 universities with the best philosophy programs across the world. The rankings are based on the prestigious QS University Rankings.
1. New York University
New York University (NYU) got a near-perfect score from the QS rankings after receiving high scores in all assessed areas, including research, innovation, facilities, and specialized criteria.
If you want to study more about philosophy and get a better grasp of a range of scientific fields relating to philosophy, the Department of Philosophy at New York University is an excellent place to go.
Students in the department are encouraged to actively engage in class discussions to sharpen their abilities, develop their distinctive ways of thinking and speaking, and learn to approach and process material critically.
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2. London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) has one of the world’s best social sciences offerings. On top of that, you’ll be in one of the world’s most brilliant cities, brimming with cultural, social, and recreational opportunities.
What distinguishes LSE’s Department of Philosophy, Logic, and Scientific Method from other philosophy departments is the way it connects philosophy and its techniques to other social sciences in a contemporary and analytical manner.
In addition to its traditional undergraduate and graduate programs, LSE is widely regarded as one of the world’s top economics institutes and provides an executive education program.
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3. Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Rutgers University-New Brunswick is an Association of American Universities member, a Big Ten Academic Alliance member, and a pioneer in social research. Students choose Rutgers University-New Brunswick for its exceptional education and focus on careers with global impacts.
Rutgers University-New Brunswick is located in the heart of New Jersey, close to two large cities (New York and Philadelphia) and the beautiful beaches of the Jersey Shore.
Although Rutgers University has several schools and faculties, the Department of Philosophy in the School of Arts and Sciences is one of the university’s most notable departments. It’s long been recognized as one of the world’s premier academic institutions for studying the subject.
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4. University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and houses several prestigious academic departments and faculties. Because of the school’s huge foreign student base, the curriculum and cultural norms may be modified to match the demands of its varied student groups.
Oxford offers a wide range of degrees, lectures, and seminars on various aspects and approaches to philosophy, while its world-famous publishing arm and academic podcasts also focus on the subject.
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5. University of Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Academy was a modest, private school located in a log cabin amid the city’s three rivers when it opened its doors in 1787. The university has since become a prominent teaching and research institution with worldwide acclaim.
In addition to a major in philosophy, the University of Pittsburgh’s Philosophy Department offers a Bachelor of Arts in the subject. The bulk of the department’s attention is dedicated to programs connected to Classics, Philosophy, and Ancient Science.
This school has about 27,000 students enrolled, including more than 2,700 international students, giving its stunning campus a truly global feel.
6. Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
The Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München) is regarded as one of Europe’s best academic and scientific institutions. Also known simply as the University of Munich, LMU has drawn brilliant students and academics from all over the world since its inception in 1472.
LMU has been operating for over 500 years, making it one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious institutions. It’s a world leader in various disciplines, but its philosophy program is especially strong, earning the university sixth spot among the world’s best schools for philosophy.
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7. University of Cambridge
Once again, the second-oldest institution in the Anglophone world plays up to its legendary reputation. The Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Cambridge is not just one of the world’s most prominent academic institutions but also one of the top ten in the world. At Cambridge, the philosophy faculty is part of the School of Arts and Humanities.
The university has numerous gems in its museums and collections that give a fascinating glimpse into the research that the professors, staff, and students have carried out in the past. Tourists from all over the globe visit the University of Cambridge and its prominent colleges to see the historic sites.
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8. Harvard University
Harvard University, founded in 1636, is the oldest continually running institution of higher learning in the United States. Harvard is often recognized as one of the top universities in the world, if not the best.
The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study is located on Harvard University’s 209-acre main campus, three miles northwest of Boston, and includes two theatres and five museums.
Its academic library system has more than 18 million volumes, 180,000 serial titles, an estimated 400 million manuscript fragments, and 10 million photos, making it the biggest academic library in the world.
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9. Australian National University (ANU)
The Australian National University (ANU) has steadily climbed the QS World University Rankings in recent years due to its strong educational quality, cutting-edge research, and controllable student size. It boasts more Nobel laureates among its employees and alums than any other Australian institution.
ANU has been a driving force in extending Australia’s reputation as an academic leader since its foundation in 1946. More than 3,000 staff members are ready to assist undergraduate and graduate students from Australia and abroad in navigating the university’s varied degree programs, which include world-class options for studying philosophy.
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10. University of Toronto
The University of Toronto routinely ranks as the best university in Canada and also lands in the top 10 universities for philosophy worldwide. With an enrolment of more than 80,000 students, it’s also the biggest university in Canada.
Delivered by the Department of Philosophy, the university’s philosophy program is as varied as it is extensive, covering everything from logic and ethics to metaphysics and the history of philosophy. This last field is the department’s main area of focus, with its courses on ancient and medieval philosophy some of the best in the world.
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Final thoughts
There’s a huge range of universities out there offering top-class philosophy courses. To make the right decision, consider the course content, the university’s acceptance rate, and the tuition fees you’ll have to pay should you be successful in your application.
Once you’ve found the right university for you, you’ll need some student accommodation. Here at Student.com, we list over one million beds in hundreds of cities across the world, so wherever you’re headed, we probably list apartments there. So make sure you check out our student accommodation options!
