Our MA in Philosophy provides the freedom to explore influential philosophical traditions in depth within a vibrant learning environment and to understand their relevance when applied, in particular, to contemporary global issues.
The course is taken over one year full-time and two years part-time and offers two core modules with the first, Philosophical Perspectives, introducing you to different philosophical methodologies, critical analysis and a range of definitions of philosophy and the second being an MA dissertation. Optional Philosophy modules look at subjects as wide ranging as science and medicine and ethics and aesthetics but wider Arts & Humanities topics will also be available to you from across our seven departments.
You will be able to benefit from a wide range of activities in the lively department, such as the weekly reading groups organised by EIDOS, the postgraduate philosophy society, conferences and workshops and also a series of lectures given by the Royal Institute of Philosophy.
Further research towards PhD-level study is structured around stimulating research groups which cover areas such as aesthetics, ethics and politics as well as mind, language, metaphysics, science, medicine, the history of philosophy, and the history of women in philosophy.
We offer a friendly academic environment in which you will be given every opportunity to broaden your philosophical knowledge and understanding, including access to the world-leading research and teaching that has given us a reputation for excellence in the subject. As a postgraduate philosophy student you will be fully immersed in an environment in which discussion and debate is actively encouraged.
Course structure
All the MA programmes offered by the Faculty of Arts & Humanities consist of three components:
a Major Research Project to the value of at least 60 credits
Core Modules to the value of 0-90 credits, depending on the programme
Elective Modules, making up the total number of credits to 180; some of these modules will be defined as Recommended Electives for particular programmes.
For students studying the MA in Philosophy, the Dissertation (your Major Research Project, 60 credits)) is an in-depth, independently produced piece of research of between 12,000 and 15,000 words, on a specialist area of interest in philosophy. You will research and produce the dissertation under the direction of a supervisor in the chosen area. If you are considering a future in research, the MA dissertation may provide the basis for a PhD.
You will also be required to take the following 30-credit core module:
Philosophical Perspectives introduces you to different philosophical methodologies and to contrasting thoughts about what philosophy is. Critical reflection upon the nature of philosophy, through seminar discussions and independent reading, will equip you with the skills to write a Philosophical Perspectives essay.
Finally, you will choose 90 credits of elective modules offered by the Department of Philosophy and other departments from across the Faculty of Arts & Humanities, so that your total number of credits adds up to exactly 180.
Taught modules will be delivered principally through group seminars and tutorials. This time will be spent in staff-led discussions, taking part in student presentations and small group discussions.
Learning takes place in a supportive environment that serves to familiarise you with a variety of topics, positions and debates, help you explore the relevant literature, develop your presentational skills and your ability to formulate, criticise and defend philosophical positions.
For your dissertation, you will be offered one-to-one tutorials with a supervisor in your chosen field. There is also a dissertation workshop during the summer when you will have the opportunity to present work and receive feedback from members of staff and from peers.
Assessment
Assessment, which is thorough and ongoing throughout the course, is carried out via essays and a major dissertation. You will be required to write essays based on topic discussions that take place in the seminar groups and on independent reading.
The 12,000-15,000-word dissertation is completed on a topic of particular interest to you and will be written under supervision.
Entry requirements
A typical 2:1 classification or higher at undergraduate level or equivalent qualification with a substantial philosophy component.
Admission Criteria for Research Focus on Science, Medicine and Society:
A 2:1 classification or higher at undergraduate level or equivalent qualification with a substantial philosophy component or other appropriate component, for example science-related subjects.
The tuition fees for 2025/26 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed here once approved.
The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).
/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/study/individual-course-and-cta-images/Postgraduate-Prospectus.png)
/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/study/individual-course-and-cta-images/Postgraduate-Scholarships.png)
/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/study/individual-course-and-cta-images/Postgraduate-Meet-Students.png)
/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/study/individual-course-and-cta-images/Book-an-Open-Day.png)
/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/study/individual-course-and-cta-images/V500.jpg)