Philosophy (MRes)

Our Philosophy (MRes) programme is a distance-learning course. It consists of 60 credits worth of taught modules and a dissertation of 120 credits, equivalent to 30,000 words.

The programme services the needs of philosophy graduates who wish to deepen their understanding of philosophy and develop a detailed research project.

Students can choose from a range of modules covering a variety of different themes and specialist areas, as well as work one-to-one with a supervisor to develop their own dissertation project.

What you will learn

By focusing on such areas of Philosophy, the Philosophy (MRes) services the needs of graduates who wish to build upon their first degree in Philosophy or a cognate discipline, e.g. as preparation for a research degree.

The programme also meets the needs of teachers of A-level Philosophy, in that its modules overlap core parts of the A-level Philosophy curriculum, such as Philosophy of Religion, Ethics, and History of Philosophy (covered in the module The Philosophy of Philosophy).

However Philosophy (MRes) is sufficiently broad in extent to be also suitable for anyone who is looking to broaden their acquaintance with, and understanding of, philosophy as it is practiced in the English speaking world today.

Career Opportunities

The programme will help students to develop skills that are valuable to a wide range of employers, such as the ability to: analyse complex information in a critical manner; present clear and coherent arguments; present complex information in a clear manner.

More particularly, the programme will attract students who are looking to take up future employment opportunities, or are already in employment, in areas or sectors where an understanding of philosophical issues will be of benefit.

This may include voluntary workers, teachers and trainers, academics, community and government-based agencies and projects, intercultural, multi-faith networks dedicated to building community relations, reconciliation and reconstruction schemes with various global agencies and disaster relief bodies.

An honours degree (2:1 or above) in a cognate discipline or an equivalent and appropriate professional qualification or significant and relevant professional experience.