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AQA A-Level Philosophy (7172): complete guide to the four modules and the exams

A complete guide to AQA A-Level Philosophy (specification 7172). Covers the four modules (epistemology, moral philosophy, the metaphysics of God and the metaphysics of mind), how the two written papers are structured and marked, the set philosophers and arguments, the assessment objectives, and how to study each module for top grades.

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AQA A-Level Philosophy (specification 7172) is a two-year linear course assessed by two written papers at the end of Year 13. There is no coursework. It is argument-led: you study set philosophers and named arguments and are marked on both knowledge and the quality of your evaluation. This page is the index: below is a map of the four modules, the exam structure, and how to study each one.

The four AQA Philosophy modules

The specification has four modules, two examined in each paper.

4.1.1 Epistemology
The theory of knowledge: the tripartite (justified true belief) definition and the Gettier problem, perception and the external world (direct realism, indirect realism and Berkeley's idealism), the origin of concepts and knowledge (the rationalism versus empiricism debate, innate ideas and the a priori), and the limits of knowledge through philosophical scepticism. Browse the module in the epistemology overview.
4.1.2 Moral philosophy
Three normative theories (utilitarianism, Kantian deontological ethics and Aristotelian virtue ethics), their application to four set issues (stealing, simulated killing, eating animals and telling lies), and metaethics (cognitivism, non-cognitivism, moral realism, error theory, emotivism and prescriptivism). See the moral philosophy overview.
4.2.1 Metaphysics of God
The concept and coherence of God (omniscience, omnipotence and supreme goodness), the arguments for God's existence (the ontological, design and cosmological arguments), the problem of evil, and religious language. See the metaphysics of God overview.
4.2.2 Metaphysics of mind
The mind-body problem, dualism (substance and property), physicalist theories (behaviourism, the mind-brain type identity theory and eliminative materialism), functionalism, and the problem of qualia and consciousness. See the metaphysics of mind overview.

Exam structure

AQA A-Level Philosophy is assessed by two written papers, both sat at the end of the course.

  • Paper 1 - epistemology and moral philosophy. 3 hours, 100 marks, 50%.
  • Paper 2 - the metaphysics of God and the metaphysics of mind. 3 hours, 100 marks, 50%.

Each paper splits into two sections, one per module. Within each section the question types are the same: short answer questions (typically 3 and 5 marks), a 12 mark question (brief explanation and evaluation), and a 25 mark essay (sustained, structured evaluation with a defended conclusion). The longer questions are dominated by AO2 (analysis and evaluation), so they reward objections, replies and a clear thesis, not just exposition.

The two assessment objectives

Marks are split between two objectives.

  1. AO1: knowledge and understanding. Explaining positions, arguments and concepts precisely, with correct terminology and the named philosophers.
  2. AO2: analysis and evaluation. Advancing objections and responses, weighing them, and reaching a justified conclusion. The 12 and 25 mark questions are AO2-heavy.

How to study AQA Philosophy

Philosophy rewards precise knowledge of set arguments and confident, structured evaluation.

  1. Work from the specification. Each module lists set philosophers and named arguments; questions are written from them, so learn them accurately.
  2. Pair every argument with its objection. For each position, drill the standard objections and replies so you can evaluate fluently.
  3. Practise the 25 mark essay. Build a clear thesis, structure your argument, anticipate the strongest counterargument, and defend a conclusion.
  4. Use exact terminology. Mark schemes reward terms such as sense-data, esse est percipi, the categorical imperative, the inconsistent triad and multiple realisability.
  5. Apply theories to cases. Especially in applied ethics, reach a verdict on the specific issue and show the reasoning.

The four modules, dot point by dot point

Each module has specification-level answer pages with worked exam questions and cross-links. Start from the module overviews above, then drill the individual dot points and the end-of-module quizzes.

For the official specification

AQA publishes the full specification (7172), past papers and mark schemes at aqa.org.uk. Always revise from the current specification and AQA's own past papers, because the question structure and the set arguments are specific to this qualification.

Philosophy guides

In-depth written guides with paired practice quizzes.

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Philosophy practice quizzes

Multiple-choice drills with worked answer explanations. Your scores stay on this device.

The A-LEVEL-AQA system, explained

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Common questions about Philosophy

How is AQA A-Level Philosophy (7172) structured?
AQA A-Level Philosophy is a two-year linear course assessed entirely by two written exams at the end of Year 13. The subject content is organised into four modules: epistemology and moral philosophy (examined in Paper 1), and the metaphysics of God and the metaphysics of mind (examined in Paper 2). There is no coursework. The specification is anthology-led, so you study set philosophers and named arguments rather than a textbook survey, and you are assessed on both knowledge and the quality of philosophical argument.
What are the two AQA A-Level Philosophy exam papers?
There are two papers, each 3 hours long, worth 100 marks and 50% of the A-Level. Paper 1 covers epistemology and moral philosophy; Paper 2 covers the metaphysics of God and the metaphysics of mind. Each paper has the same structure of question types for each of its two sections: short answer questions (typically 3 and 5 marks), a 12 mark question requiring a brief explanation and evaluation, and a 25 mark essay requiring sustained, structured evaluation with a defended conclusion.
What are the assessment objectives in AQA A-Level Philosophy?
There are two assessment objectives. AO1 rewards knowledge and understanding: explaining positions, arguments and concepts clearly and precisely with the correct terminology and named philosophers. AO2 rewards the analysis and evaluation of arguments: advancing objections and responses, weighing them, and reaching a clear, justified conclusion. The longer questions, especially the 25 mark essays, are dominated by AO2, so practising evaluation is essential for the top grades.
Which philosophers and arguments do I need to know?
The specification names set philosophers and arguments, and questions can test them directly, so accuracy matters. Examples include Gettier on knowledge, Locke and Berkeley on perception, Hume and Descartes on the origin of concepts, Bentham and Mill on utilitarianism, Kant on the categorical imperative, Aristotle on virtue, Mackie on error theory, Anselm and Descartes on the ontological argument, Paley and Aquinas on design and cosmological arguments, Mackie and Rowe on the problem of evil, Ayer and Hick on religious language, and Descartes, Putnam, Block, Jackson and Chalmers on the mind. Vague paraphrase of these loses marks.
How should I structure my AQA A-Level Philosophy revision?
Work module by module against the specification, learning each set position and its named arguments precisely, then pairing every argument with its standard objection and reply. Because the longer questions are evaluation-heavy, practise turning comparison tables into structured essays with a clear thesis and a defended conclusion. Drill the 25 mark essays under timed conditions and use the exact terminology AQA expects, such as sense-data, the categorical imperative, the inconsistent triad and multiple realisability.
How does AQA A-Level Philosophy compare to other exam boards?
AQA is the only board offering a standalone A-Level in Philosophy (7172), so there is no direct exam-board alternative to compare it with as there is in the sciences. It differs from related subjects such as Religious Studies by being argument-led and secular in method, covering epistemology and the philosophy of mind alongside the philosophy of religion and ethics. Always revise from the current AQA specification and AQA past papers, because the question structure and the set arguments are specific to this qualification.