PhD Philosophy

Keele University

Keele offers three different postgraduate research degrees, in a small, friendly and research-intensive environment where everybody knows each other, and postgraduate students can talk to staff whenever they want. Facilities are good, the rural environment of Keele campus is highly conducive to concentration and focus, and the research of our staff is at the cutting-edge in some of the most fascinating areas of contemporary philosophy. The PhD. (Doctor of Philosophy) degree, which earns you the title Dr., is the highest academic degree. It is research only and requires you to write an original thesis (about 70-80,000 words) on a topic of your choice, so long as it is approved by one of our member of staff (see their research interests below). Candidates for the PhD. are expected to have completed a master’s degree beforehand (M.A., MRes., or MPhil.). Once assigned a supervisor, you will work with him or her, meeting up whenever you want to. When your thesis is finished, you will have a viva examination, in which an external and internal examiner will read your work and discuss it with you. Philosophy's placement within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences means that PhD candidates whose philosophical interests intertwine with issues in related academic areas can receive supervision for a multi-disciplinary thesis.