Department of Philosophy
Welcome to Philosophy at Durham
The Durham Philosophy Department is amongst the most prestigious departments in the UK. The Department is a hub for the wider Philosophy community at Durham, which is a lively, friendly group of people including undergraduates, postgraduates and staff, committed to the pursuit of philosophical knowledge and understanding. We are a pluralistic department that values and promotes a variety of approaches to philosophical reflection including research in analytic, Continental, African, Buddhist, and other philosophical traditions.
Study with us
Durham University’s Department of Philosophy is a centre for world-class research and teaching in a wide range of fields. Discover all of our undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Undergraduate study
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Postgraduate study
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Meet our Students
Meet our students and find out more about why they chose to study Philosophy at Durham University and what career paths they pursue.
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Reflections of a philosopher at the COP16 Biodiversity Conference - join the event
Join Dr Simona Capisani in Durham on Thursday, 28 November from 3:30 to 5 pm, when she will give a talk and host a Q&A regarding her experiences at the UN Biodiversity Conference.
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Research
At Durham, we have a very different vision of the life of the philosopher. For us, philosophy is a joint enterprise, a subject that one makes progress in through conversation, collaboration, and community.
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World-leading status affirmed in QS World University Rankings 2025
Durham is now ranked 89th in the world top 100 universities. Our top performance came in the Sustainability category, where we ranked 19th in the world. We also have a world-class reputation with employers, being ranked 65th.
What's new?
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Philosophy of Life: In conversation with Professor Nancy Cartwright (at 80)
On 22 June 2024, our Department of Philosophy threw a party to honour and celebrate the world-class academic achievements of our colleague, Nancy Cartwright, to mark the occasion of her 80th birthday.Durham news/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/departments-/philosophy/Nancy-Interview.jpg)
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Transformative Humanities framework launched
Durham University's Transformative Humanities launched yesterday and gathered more than 130 researchers, colleagues, students, and partners from across the region and beyond to celebrate this new interdisciplinary framework.Research news/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/departments-/faculty-of-arts-and-humanities/Digital_Banner-(1).png)
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Professor Peter Vickers launches new book - Identifying Future-Proof Science
Professor Peter Vickers from our Philosophy Department launches a new book, Identifying Future-Proof Science, on 30 November 2022.Research news/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/central-news-and-events-images/news/Future-proof-science-book-WEB.png)
Philosophy of Life: In conversation with Professor Nancy Cartwright (at 80)
On 22 June 2024, our Department of Philosophy threw a party to honour and celebrate the world-class academic achievements of our colleague, Nancy Cartwright, to mark the occasion of her 80th birthday.
Transformative Humanities framework launched
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Professor Peter Vickers launches new book - Identifying Future-Proof Science
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The mystery of consciousness shows there may be a limit to what science alone can achieve
Science is rightly celebrated, but as the problem of consciousness is revealing, there may be a limit to what we can learn through science alone, argues Professor Philip Goff in our Department of Philosophy.Global research/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/marketing-and-communications-/Consciousness-TL-web(1050-x-300-px)-(1).png)
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Durham research has a lasting global impact
We have launched a new Global Research Brochure where we shine a light on some of our incredible researchers who are making a difference in the world.Global research/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/central-news-and-events-images/Research-brochure-WEB-STORY-2.png)
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Expecting the Unexpected: Philosophy in the search for the Extra-terrestrial
Dr Christopher Cowie, Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy recently took part in the Being Human Festival, a nationwide festival which engages a wide audience in the breadth of humanities research. He tells us how philosophers can contribute to questions about life in space.Global research/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/central-news-and-events-images/Photo-for-Chris-Cowie-.jpeg)
The mystery of consciousness shows there may be a limit to what science alone can achieve
Science is rightly celebrated, but as the problem of consciousness is revealing, there may be a limit to what we can learn through science alone, argues Professor Philip Goff in our Department of Philosophy.
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Durham research has a lasting global impact
Expecting the Unexpected: Philosophy in the search for the Extra-terrestrial
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Professor Emily Thomas appears on Radio 4's The Moral Maze
“Should Foreign Tourism Be Discouraged?” Emily Thomas says ‘no’, defending the value of travel on BBC Radio 4’s The Moral Maze.Research news/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/departments-/philosophy/Radio-Submission.png)
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Professor Philip Goff's book wins a prize from the International Society for Science and Religion
Congratulations to Professor Philip GoffResearch news/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/departments-/philosophy/Why-Book-Cover.jpg)
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Professor Nancy Cartwright gives lecture at the Sorbonne.
Professor Nancy Cartwright gives lectures at both Condorcet Lecture and at first ever Mary Hesse Lecture.Research news/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/departments-/philosophy/Nancy-Cartwright.png)
Professor Emily Thomas appears on Radio 4's The Moral Maze
“Should Foreign Tourism Be Discouraged?” Emily Thomas says ‘no’, defending the value of travel on BBC Radio 4’s The Moral Maze.
Professor Philip Goff's book wins a prize from the International Society for Science and Religion
Professor Nancy Cartwright gives lecture at the Sorbonne.
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Philosophy of Life: In conversation with Professor Nancy Cartwright (at 80)
On 22 June 2024, our Department of Philosophy threw a party to honour and celebrate the world-class academic achievements of our colleague, Nancy Cartwright, to mark the occasion of her 80th birthday.Durham news
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Durham philosopher selected as BBC New Generation Thinker
Dr Jack Symes has been recognised as one of the UK’s most promising arts and humanities early career researchers.Durham news/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/central-news-and-events-images/news/Jack-Symes-BBC-Next-Generation-Thinker.png)
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Durham philosopher explores the mystery of existence with his second book
A researcher in our Philosophy department has released his second book, which aims to explore the mysteries behind how everything came to exist.Durham news/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/marketing-and-communications-/Jack-web.png)
Philosophy of Life: In conversation with Professor Nancy Cartwright (at 80)
On 22 June 2024, our Department of Philosophy threw a party to honour and celebrate the world-class academic achievements of our colleague, Nancy Cartwright, to mark the occasion of her 80th birthday.
Durham philosopher selected as BBC New Generation Thinker
Durham philosopher explores the mystery of existence with his second book
Updates from the Department
Find the latest blog articles and posts on social media
Highlights
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What’s it like studying Philosophy?
Find out why Emily decided to study Philosophy at Durham and how an average week as a Philosophy student looks like.
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Choosing the right university, and why I chose Durham
Get to know Sophie and read why she chose to study at Durham University.
What’s it like studying Philosophy?
Choosing the right university, and why I chose Durham
Social feeds
Get in touch
Find out more about our department, courses and support. Contact us by phone or email below.
Department of Philosophy
Durham University
50 Old Elvet
DH1 3HN
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)191 334 5325
Tel Undergraduate: +44 (0)191 334 6559
Tel Postgraduate: +44 (0)191 334 6553
Donate to Durham University's Philosophy Department
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Questions about studying here?
Check out our list of FAQs or submit an enquiry form.
Your Durham prospectus
Order your personalised prospectus and College guide here.