Philosophy (MA)

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in Philosophy or a related subject with a significant philosophical component; a writing sample of around 2,500 words on a philosophical topic.

See our departmental guidanceLink opens in a new window.

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

• Band B
• IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.

Academic References

We typically ask for one academic reference for taught courses.

You will be asked to include an email address for your referee(s) when submitting your application and we will contact them for you.

View our guide to academic references.Link opens in a new window

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Core modules

Research Methods

What is it to do research in philosophy? Among other things, it is to engage in philosophers' particular ways of "doing philosophy", which manifest themselves in particular ways of arguing, writing, and discussing. What is distinctive about philosophy is that right from the earliest Presocratic thinkers up to the present day, this activity of doing philosophy is itself subject to philosophical investigation and reflection. In this module, you will become part of this tradition, by both improving and reflecting on and improving your practice of doing philosophy.

Optional modules can vary from year to year. An indicative list of optional modules is available here.

Teaching

On this course you will follow a programme of taught modules, followed by an optional 10,000 word dissertation. You will cover four or six modules, with your exact pathway depending on your selection of modules.

We offer a wide range of optional modules reflecting the great breadth of research areas we have in our department, so you will be able to tailor your course to your interests and aspirations. You will have a personal tutor who will be able to advise you on your academic progress as well as discuss which modules might work best for you.

Class sizes

Seminar class sizes for this course typically range from 8-20 people.

Typical contact hours

For taught components, there are typically 2 hours of teaching per module per week on this course.

Assessment

You will submit assessed essays during the academic terms. If you’re following the dissertation route, you will also begin planning your dissertation and generally you will undertake your supervision sessions for this with your agreed supervisor during the summer term. As long as you pass your taught components, you will then focus on completion of your MA dissertation in the summer months (July and August).

Reading lists 

If you would like to view reading lists for current or previous cohorts of students, most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library on the Talis Aspire platform.

You can search for reading lists by module title, code or convenor. Please see the modules tab of this page or the module catalogue. 

Please note that some reading lists may have restricted access or be unavailable at certain times of year due to not yet being published. If you cannot access the reading list for a particular module, please check again later or contact the module’s host department. 

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Any compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

Your career

Our degrees equip you with the skills and experiences needed to excel in your career. With access to exceptional career services, industry connections, and global opportunities, we’ll inspire and help you to aim high and achieve your goals. Our guidance ensures you graduate as a well-rounded professional ready for lifelong success.  

The median salary for University of Warwick 2021/22 postgraduates whose main employment was full-time work in the UK was £38,000 (based on 971 respondents - 17% of the total postgraduate population)*.

Completing an MA provides a strong foundation for those intending to study for a PhD. In addition to those pursuing further study, graduates from these courses have gone on to work for a range of national and international employers.  

Previous graduates from the Department of Philosophy have gone on to work for employers such as*:  

• Ark Boulton Academy 
• Soil Association 
• The British Horse Society 
• The University of Oxford 
• The University of Warwick 
• ZOO Digital  

They have pursued occupations such as the following*:  

• Careers advisors and vocational guidance specialists
• Clergy
• Events and exhibition managers and organisers
• Higher education teaching professionals
• Information technology professionals
• Legal associate professionals
• Public relations professionals
• Social and humanities scientists
• Records clerks and assistants
• Solicitors and lawyers  

Helping you find the right career  

Your career path is unique to you. Our university careers team offer personalised support to help you develop your skills, plan your career path, and get experience at any point during your time at Warwick, and after graduation.  

Our department also has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant. They offer impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:  

• Identifying Your Skills, Strengths and Motivations for Philosophy Students  

• Thinking about Work Experience for Philosophy Students  

• Careers in the Public Sector  

• Warwick Careers fairs throughout the year  

• Sector events with industry and alumni speakers, for students who want to pursue a career in a specific sector such as Banking and Finance, Consulting, Charities and Campaigning, Law and the Public Sector  

Discover more about postgraduate careers support at Warwick.  

Completing an MA provides a strong foundation for those intending to study for a PhD. In addition to those pursuing further study, graduates from these courses have gone on to work for a range of national and international employers. 

Our graduates have pursued roles such as: further education teaching professionals; IT business analysts, architects and systems designers; library clerks and assistants and secondary education teaching professionals. 

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include: 

• Identifying Your Skills, Strengths and Motivators for Philosophy Students 
• Thinking about Work Experience for Philosophy Students 
• Careers in the Public Sector 
• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year 

Philosophy at Warwick

Our research reputation is founded in consistent excellence across a range of philosophical fields, including in philosophy of mind and epistemology; Post-Kantian European philosophy; philosophy of the arts and aesthetics; moral, political, and legal philosophy; and mathematical logic and computation.

Philosophy at Warwick is recognised for our support of diverse philosophical traditions, including both analytic and continental philosophy. We have particular strengths in:

• Philosophy of Mind, Action, and Epistemology
• Philosophy of Psychology
• Philosophy of Literature and the Arts
• Moral and Political Philosophy
• Kant and Hegel
• 19th and 20th Century Post-Kantian (Continental) Philosophy, including Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Husserl, Heidegger
• Mathematical Logic

We collaborate extensively with academics and practitioners in other subjects and have long-standing partnerships with researchers and practitioners across all faculties.

We support four active and successful research centres that co-ordinate research activities in our main areas of research strengths. Each centre has well-established interdisciplinary links within Warwick and beyond. At Warwick, you’ll be part of an inclusive staff and student community. We provide a vibrant and friendly environment where our students have dedicated support to explore their passion for philosophy and develop their skills as researchers.

Find out more about us on our website.Link opens in a new window

Our Postgraduate courses

• Continental Philosophy (MA)
• Philosophy (MA)
• Philosophy and the Arts (MA)
• Philosophy (MPhil)
• Philosophy (PhD)
• Philosophy and Literature (PhD)

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your taught course fees  

Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2025/26 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

• Core text books
• Printer credits
• Dissertation binding
• Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and funding