Philosophy (MA) (2022 Entry)
About this taught graduate course
Course overview
This MA will enable you to study Philosophy at an advanced level, offering an extensive range of optional modules that give you the flexibility and the freedom to explore your own philosophical interests. The breadth and depth of research expertise in the Philosophy department means that we can offer you an unusually broad range of options for Master’s level study.
The Department has strengths across all core areas of analytic philosophy and continental philosophy, with particular strengths in: Philosophy of Mind and Psychology, Epistemology, Aesthetics, Moral and Political Philosophy, Post-Kantian Continental Philosophy, and 20th Century Continental Philosophy.
General entry requirements
Minimum requirements
2:i undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in Philosophy or a related subject with a significant philosophical component.
English language requirements
You can find out more about our English language requirements. 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 page.
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 reflect 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 your practice of doing philosophy.
Optional modules
You will be expected to take at least one module from three different areas of Philosophy:
- Theoretical Philosophy (including Epistemology, Metaphysics, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Language or Logic)
- Value Theory (modules covering topics in Ethics, Aesthetics, or Political Philosophy)
- History of Philosophy
Previous module options have included:
- Nietzsche
- Topics in 20th Century French Philosophy
- Genealogy, Epistemology and Critique
- Topics in Moral and Political Philosophy
- Democracy and Authority
- Origins of Mind
- Topics in Metaphysics and Epistemology
- Topics in Philosophy and the Arts
Teaching
Taught modules followed by a 10,000 word dissertation. You will cover six modules - although your exact pathway will depend on your selection of optional modules as detailed above.
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. 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 of July and August.
Reading lists
Most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library. If you would like to view reading lists for the current cohort of students you can visit our Warwick Library web page.
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. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.
Your career
In addition to those pursuing further study, graduates from these courses have gone on to work for employers including: NPower; Oasis Academy; Teleperformance and the University of Warwick.
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
Can living morally be too demanding? Could what you see be just an illusion? How do we know what’s going on in other people’s minds?
Explore these questions with our expert teachers and researchers. Learn how to think independently and analytically and take on different points of view. Interact with other subjects, like psychology, law, politics, economics or literature.
Join our open and friendly learning environment and become a confident communicator with the resilience to thrive in the pursuit of your goals.
Find out more about us on our website.
Our Postgraduate courses
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.
Taught course fees Research course fees
Fee Status Guidance
The University carries out an initial fee status assessment based on information provided in the application and according to the guidance published by UKCISA. Students are classified as either Home or Overseas Fee status and this can determine the tuition fee and eligibility of certain scholarships and financial support.
If you receive an offer, your fee status will be stated with the tuition fee information, however we are awaiting guidance from the UK government regarding fee status for EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members living in the UK for academic year 2021/22 onwards. We are not able to confirm the fee status for these students until the relevant eligibility criteria have been confirmed. Once we have received further information from the UK government, we will provide you with an update on your fee status and let you know if any additional information is required. If you believe your fee status has been incorrectly classified you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire (follow the instructions in your offer) and provide the required documentation for this to be reassessed.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides guidance to UK universities on fees status criteria, you can find the latest guidance on the impact of Brexit on fees and student support on the UKCISA website.
Additional course costs
Please contact your academic department for information about department specific costs, which should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below, such as:
- Core text books
- Printer credits
- Dissertation binding
- Robe hire for your degree ceremony
Scholarships and bursaries
Scholarships and financial support
Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.
Living costs
Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.
Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.
Taught course applications
Here is our checklist on how to apply for taught postgraduate courses at Warwick.
Research course applications
Here is our checklist on how to apply for research postgraduate degrees at the University of Warwick.
After you’ve applied
Find out how we process your application.
Applicant Portal
Track your application and update your details.
Admissions statement
See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.
Join a live chat
Ask questions and engage with Warwick.
Postgraduate Open Day
Our Postgraduate Virtual Open Day will help you find out more about your course of interest, as well as general topics like applying to Warwick, accommodation, careers and funding.Postgraduate fairs
Throughout the year we attend exhibitions and fairs online and in the UK. These events give you the chance to learn about our Master's and PhD study routes, and the wider context of postgraduate study.
Live chats
Every week, you can connect directly with representatives from Warwick, who will be answering your questions on applying to and studying postgraduate studies at Warwick.
Departmental events
Some academic departments hold events for specific postgraduate programmes, these are fantastic opportunities to learn more about Warwick and your chosen department and course.
Connect with us
Want to hear more about postgraduate study at Warwick? Register your interest and find out more.