The British Philosophical Association is a British organisation set up in October 2003 to promote the study of Philosophy.[1][2]
The Association encourages the teaching of Philosophy in British schools and promotes philosophy among prospective university students (providing information on funding and research grants). The membership of the association is restricted to professional philosophers, institutions, and learned societies. Unlike other European countries, like France, where Philosophy belongs to the National School curriculum, philosophy is not necessarily taught in schools in the United Kingdom. Philosophy departments used to be an essential part of any university, but from the 1980s, enormous financial pressure on university funding has resulted in the closing of smaller departments. Half a dozen philosophy departments in traditional universities had to shut down.
To encourage students to study Philosophy and to persuade their parents that a philosophy degree does not prevent a person from achieving success in a subsequent career, The British Philosophical Association listed a number of UK Philosophy graduates who have been successful in a career away from Philosophy.[3]