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Full time | Royal Holloway, University of London | 1 year | 23-SEP-24

Study mode

Full time

Duration

1 year

Start date

23-SEP-24

Key information
DATA SOURCE : IDP Connect

Qualification type

MA - Master of Arts

Subject areas

Political Philosophies Philosophy

Course type

Taught

Course Summary

The course

Based in the Department of Politics & International Relations, Royal Holloway’s MA in Political Philosophy is well placed for training in key issues and thinkers in contemporary political thought, from both Anglo-American and Continental perspectives. Our political philosophers have research and teaching interests in applied analytical political theory (with issues including immigration, citizenship and the politics of recognition), post-Nietzschean theories of identity and post-identity politics, democratic theory and pragmatist philosophy.

At Royal Holloway we have a unique approach to the subject that looks beyond the narrow confines of the Anglo-American analytic or European tradition of philosophy to connect philosophy to other disciplines across the arts, humanities and social sciences. The result has been the creation of a truly interdisciplinary and collaborative programme that brings together academic staff from departments across the university - including scholars of drama and theatre, literature and political philosophy. Not only dedicated teachers of the subject, our philosophy staff are also experts and published authorities in their field.

This distinctive approach means that whichever area of philosophy you choose to study at postgraduate level, you will be able to place it in a wider context, with the support of experts across the disciplines. Our departmental specialisms include a wide range of philosophical topics such as ancient and Hellenistic philosophy, 19th and 20th-century European philosophy and contemporary analytic philosophy and American pragmatism.

We host a variety of additional activities throughout the course, including a visiting speaker series organised with our active student-run Philosophy Society, a number of workshops and conferences, and a reading group that meets weekly in central London.

Teaching & assessment

Assessment is carried out by a variety of methods including coursework and a dissertation.

Your future career

Philosophy degrees are well-regarded by employers because they give you the capacity to think through issues and problems in a logical and consistent way and to develop critical and transferable skills which can be applied in almost any area of employment.

So, by choosing to study this intellectually demanding discipline you will develop a broad range of highly prized transferable skills, both practical and theoretical, such as:

  • the ability to communicate views and present arguments clearly and coherently
  • the ability to critically digest, analyse and summarise complex ideas
  • time management and the discipline to meet deadlines
  • organisation and research skills
  • problem-solving skills and capability

An MA in Philosophy is ideal for preparing graduates not only for doctoral research in philosophy or related fields in the humanities and social sciences, but also for a wide range of careers in education, the arts, politics and public policy. With up to 90% of our most recent graduates now working or in further study, according to the Complete University Guide 2015, it’s true to say our graduates are highly employable. In recent years, PhD graduates have taken up academic positions at Oxford, Bristol and Roehampton Universities. Outside of academia, our graduates have embarked on teaching careers in the UK and overseas, undertaken archaeological and museum work and pursued careers in journalism, finance, politics and the arts.

Modules

The module will introduce students to key questions and arguments concerning the relationship between identity, power, meaning and knowledge, and how these impact on political thought and practice, through examination of key figures in contemporary Continental political thought. The specific content will be decided in discussion with the students taking the module, but in past years thinkers have included Marx, Nietzsche, Lenin, Heidegger, Adorno, Sartre, Arendt, Schmitt, Lacan, iek, Deleuze and Guattari (their individual and collaborative works), Foucault, and Ranci.
MA Philosophy Dissertation - Core

Tuition fees

UK fees
Course fees for UK students

For this course (per year)

£10,600

International fees
Course fees for EU and international students

For this course (per year)

£19,100

Entry requirements

Students need to have 2:2 UK Honours degree or equivalent. Normally, we require a UK 2:2 (Honours) or equivalent is required. Candidates with relevant professional qualifications or relevant work experience in an associated area will also be considered.

University information

Royal Holloway is a college within the University of London, located a short distance west of the UK capital. Within a leafy campus based in Egham, Surrey, students will find a wide range of world-class courses, modern facilities and passionate teaching staff with deep experience of their fields. Royal Holloway, University of London placed 37th in the UK according to the 2024 Complete University Guide, reflecting its consistent place among...more