MA Philosophy
Birmingham, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 up to 2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
GBP 10,530 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for UK students | 7 May 2024 for international students
** for UK students full-time | £24,120 for international students full-time
Introduction
Pursue your passion for Philosophy with the diverse MA in Philosophy from the highest-ranked Philosophy department in the UK*.
Do we have free will? Is morality relative? Is time travel possible? Is global equality achievable? Can we justify religious belief? Can computers have consciousness? Philosophy is the systematic study of fundamental questions concerning the world and our existence in it.
Delve into life’s big questions and explore the area of philosophy that interests you most through a wide range of specialist modules. These include philosophy of mind and cognitive science; ethics, metaethics, and global ethics; epistemology and metaphysics; philosophy of language; and philosophy of health and happiness.
Students in our MA Philosophy will be taught by a vibrant community of philosophers, pursuing original research on a wide range of topics on which expert supervision is available. This program can also be used as a route into PhD research.
By studying philosophy at Birmingham you can develop many skills that are useful in both academic and non-academic settings:
- Critical thinking skills: Good philosophers can analyze problems and assess opinions from different viewpoints. Philosophers do not take anything for granted. This is highly useful for problem-solving and decision-making.
- Communication skills: Good philosophers can present and explain abstract concepts and complex arguments in an accessible manner. They are also good at persuading others by presenting logical and coherent arguments.
- Writing skills: Good philosophers can communicate effectively in writing. They can write clearly and concisely without compromising rigor.
- Research skills: Good philosophers can identify problems and collect the necessary information to resolve them in a timely manner.
*1st Philosophy department in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework exercise 2021 based on Grade Point Average (Times Higher Education)
Why Study this Course?
- Flexibility – You have the opportunity to select a number of options from a wide range available, allowing you to focus on your specific areas of interest
- Get involved Our postgraduate students are integral to and play a very active role in the life of the Department, organizing and contributing to activities such as our various research seminars, regular workshops, conferences, and popular reading groups
- Taught by experts – You will study alongside some of the finest minds in Philosophy. The Philosophy department was ranked 1st in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework exercise 2021 based on Grade Point Average (Times Higher Education)
- Friendly and relaxed atmosphere – Staff within the Department of Philosophy are very approachable and happy to offer additional advice on academic performance
- Access to a wide range of services – as a postgraduate student you will have access to services such as the Academic Writing Advisory Service and the Bank of Assessed Work which will aid your transition from undergraduate to postgraduate level, or back into academia after a time away
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarships to cover fees and/or maintenance costs may be available. To discover whether you are eligible for any award across the University, and to start your funding application, please visit the University's Postgraduate Funding Database.
International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships, or their home government.
Postgraduate Loans
Government-backed master loans are available to help UK and EU students to finance their studies. For those starting courses after 1 August 2020, loans are available of up to £11,836 for Masters students in all subject areas. Criteria, eligibility, repayment, and application information are available on the UK government website.
Curriculum
Core Module
You will study one core module:
Research Skills and Methods in Philosophy
This module provides an introduction to the methods of contemporary philosophy. Topics addressed typically include: critical thinking in philosophy, reading in philosophy, research skills, dissertation planning, and presenting philosophical arguments in written work. You will also participate in online sessions focused on generic research skills.
Optional Modules
You will also choose five optional modules from a range which typically includes:
- Bioethics
- Epistemology
- Ethics and Global Ethics
- God, Freedom and the Meaning of Life
- Human Rights
- Metaphysics
- Philosophy of Mind and Cognitive Science
- Philosophy and Mental Health
- Topics in Global Justice
Dissertation
In addition to your taught modules, you will conduct a piece of independent research with the support of a
supervisor, culminating in a 15,000-word dissertation.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
The University's Careers Network provides expert guidance and activities, especially for postgraduates, which will help you achieve your career goals. The College of Arts and Law also has a dedicated careers and employability team that offer tailored advice and a program of College-specific career events.
You will be encouraged to make the most of your postgraduate experience and will have the opportunity to:
- Receive one-to-one career advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV, and improving your interview technique, whether you are looking for a career inside or outside of academia
- Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations
- Attend an annual program of careers fairs, skills workshops, and conferences, including bespoke events for postgraduates in the College of Arts and Law
- Take part in a range of activities to demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers and enhance your CV
What's more, you will be able to access our full range of career support for up to 2 years after graduation.
Postgraduate Employability: Philosophy
Birmingham's Philosophy postgraduates develop a range of skills that are highly desirable in the job market including articulacy, precise analytical thought, and the ability to analyze and construct sound arguments.
Due to the transferable nature of these skills, Philosophy postgraduates traditionally enter a wide range of employment areas, from teaching and lecturing to social work. Employers that graduates have gone on to work for include BBC, Friends of the Earth, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Highways England, Ministry of Justice, and University of Birmingham.
Program delivery
You will take six taught modules and write a 15,000-word dissertation. Modules run for one term, and each module involves a two-hour weekly seminar which you are required to attend.
Studying Full-Time
You will spread your module work over the first two teaching terms, ideally studying three modules in each term. However, this depends on your module choices and it is also possible to study two in one term and four in another. Most of the work for your dissertation takes place in the summer.
Studying Part-Time
If you do a part-time program, you spread your six modules over four teaching terms (autumn and spring of year one, and autumn and spring of year two). You will work on your dissertation in year two; again, most of this work takes place in the summer semester.
Teaching Year
We have three teaching terms per year, the autumn, spring, and summer terms. Term dates can be found on our website.
As a full-time student, you will typically take three modules in each of the first two terms, followed by your dissertation. If you are a part-time student, you will typically take three modules each year, followed by your dissertation.
Each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework, and assignment preparation.