Philosophy

MA Philosophy Our MA offers you postgraduate teaching in central aspects of Western philosophy in the broadly analytic tradition. The curriculum is research-led, with specialist modules taught by leading figures in their fields, and with a consistent focus on the fostering of intellectual curiosity and the development of independent thinking. This uniquely flexible course allows you to follow your own philosophical interests and provides a sound platform for those wishing to proceed to more advanced research work in philosophy.

The MA Philosophy is open to those with a first degree in philosophy wishing to progress to more advanced levels of study and also to those without undergraduate training in philosophy. If you did not study philosophy as an undergraduate, you take a special route through the course.

MRes Philosophy Our MRes offers research-based training in philosophy at post-Master's level and serves as a foundation for starting an individual PhD project. This course gives you the opportunity to interact with renowned philosophers covering broad areas of the discipline and to undertake your own research in an internationally excellent, research-intensive team. This MRes is ideal for self-motivated, committed students who already have a good philosophy qualification and wish to progress to pure research in some area of the subject.

The course will give you a firm philosophical grounding and mastery of complex, specialised areas of philosophical study, enabling you to engage critically and reflectively with current philosophical debates. You will also be equipped with the essential research skills you need to proceed to PhD research. You will complete a substantial supervised research project in a shorter time than that required for a PhD.

Postgraduate Diploma in Philosophy Our Postgraduate Diploma is ideal if you want to develop your philosophical interests without undertaking a full Master's course. On this course, you will take all of the same taught elements as you would for our MA Philosophy, but you are not required to undertake an independent research project (dissertation). You can decide to progress to the MA Philosophy at any point during the Postgraduate Diploma.

Postgraduate Certificate in Philosophy Our Postgraduate Certificate is ideal if you want to develop a grounding in philosophy, but are not yet ready to commit to an MA. It is very well suited to people with busy schedules. You will have the option of transferring onto the MA Philosophy, if you choose to do so, before the end of the year.

Highlights

Birkbeck is a leading centre for philosophical research in the UK. All of our established members of academic staff are active researchers, and our excellence in both teaching and research is consistently reflected in UK and international surveys.

As a philosophy student, you will be part of the thriving philosophical community in the University of London and eligible to attend the extensive range of seminars and conferences put on by the Institute of Philosophy.

We have a specialist philosophy library at 30 Russell Square. The main philosophy collection is held in the Birkbeck Library, which has an extensive range of books and online resources.

Our uniquely flexible MA may be studied in the evening or in the day, over one or two years, and with or without prior philosophical study.

If you are taking the MRes course part time, you may be eligible for a Bonnart Trust Master’s Studentship which will cover the cost of your tuition fees.

Careers and employability

Graduates can pursue career paths in management, politics, recruitment and journalism. Possible professions include:

further/higher education lecturer

secondary school teacher

Civil Service fast-streamer

local government officer

marketing executive

recruitment consultant.