MA Philosophy

Philosophy shapes the way we think about ourselves, our relationships with each other and the natural world. Now, more than ever, reflection on these relationships is so important.  

Drawing on a rich and varied tradition of philosophical theory across Anglo-American and the continental European traditions, our MA Philosophy allows you to engage with those important action-guiding concepts that are at the centre of key debates about the human condition and our relationship with nature. You’ll gain the skills to think critically and deeply about the challenges that confront us across politics, the sciences and the arts, as a result of rapid contemporary social, technological and environmental changes.  

Taught by a close-knit, dedicated team of internationally acknowledged experts in a range of philosophical disciplines, you will gain first-hand knowledge of the key ideas and arguments of some of the greatest ancient, modern and contemporary philosophers. You will read some of the oldest texts of Western philosophy and some of the most recent, all of which are deeply relevant to our practices and lives today.  

This course will tackle some of the most challenging modern and contemporary philosophical texts across a range of areas including philosophy of science and biology, metaphysics, critical social theories, ethics, aesthetics and the philosophy of art. So, by the time you graduate, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge, skills, intellectual confidence and resources to pursue your own exciting research projects.  

We have close links with other departments within the University, and you will have a distinctive opportunity to develop your philosophical work in a genuinely interdisciplinary environment. You will be able to write a long research-project on a topic of your choice with the expert guidance of one of our philosophy tutors.  

The MA is available to complete in one year full-time or two years part-time; and either on campus (full-time) or online (full-time or part-time). The course starts in September with the exception of the part-time distance learning course which you can start in either September or January.