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PhD in Philosophy (2025 Entry)

a student reads a philosophy book in the library

Postgraduate Research

Find out more about our Philosophy PhD degree at Warwick

The Philosophy PhD is a leading research programme, suiting students who thrive on independent study. You will undertake a substantial research project as part of an active research community, supervised by world-leading experts at the University of Warwick's Department of Philosophy.


Course overview

The Warwick PhD in Philosophy is aimed at outstanding students who wish to pursue advanced research in philosophy. The PhD will also prepare those intending to become professional researchers in, and/or teachers of, philosophy.

As a PhD student, you will produce an 80,000 word thesis that can provide the basis for professional publication. You will contribute to the vibrant research environment in the department by taking part in work in progress seminars and contributing to the activities of the department’s research centres. While many UK philosophy departments possess strength in analytic philosophy or continental philosophy, we are distinctive in having world-leading philosophers from both fields.

Teaching and learning

In addition to regular supervisions, in the first year you will also take our core PhD seminar, which engages you with a broad range of philosophical issues beyond your thesis topic that are central to different philosophical traditions. You will have the opportunity to undertake a range of professional development activities to support your research, your thesis writing, and your teaching skills.

Additionally, you are expected to attend any relevant postgraduate seminars, including modules on our taught MA programmes.


General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

A Master’s level degree in Philosophy or a Master’s degree (or equivalent) with a significant Philosophy component; a strong research proposal; a sample of academic writing on a philosophical topic relevant to your research proposal around 2,500 words in length.

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.


Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Our research

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 the Arts and Aesthetics
  • Moral, Political and Legal Philosophy
  • Kant and Hegel
  • 19th Century Post-Kantian Philosophy, including Schopenhauer and Nietzsche
  • 20th Century Continental Philosophy, including Husserl, Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty, Derrida
  • Mathematical Logic and Computation.

Full details of our research interests are listed on the Philosophy web pages. You can also read our general University research proposal guidance.

Find a supervisor

Please see our Philosophy 'How to Apply' web pageLink opens in a new window for guidance on completing your application form.

Before completing your application we encourage you to make contact with the convenor of the programme to discuss your application.


Research proposals

When you make your application, you will need to submit a detailed research proposal in support of your application. This needs to be a convincing proposal which is sufficiently rigorous, and of sufficient quality to demonstrate that you are ready to begin independent research at PhD level. Typical proposals are 2,000 to 3,000 words long; however, this is only a guideline. The emphasis will be on the quality of the proposal and whether or not it fits with a particular supervisor’s research interests.

We understand that this is a provisional statement of your research. We expect that your research will develop as you carry it out and as you read further into your area of study. It is likely that your supervisor will suggest changes or developments to your research during the course of your study, but you should treat the proposal as an opportunity to show that you have begun to explore an important area of study and that you have a question, or questions, that challenge and develop that area. It is also necessary to demonstrate that you can express your ideas in clear and precise English.

For further details and guidance please see our webpagesLink opens in a new window.

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 research 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 2022/23 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 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.

Department content block about careers

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 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

How to apply

The application process for courses that start in September and October 2025 will open on 2 October 2024.

For research courses that start in September and October 2025 the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2025. This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK.

How to apply for a postgraduate research course  

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.

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Explore ways to connect with us

We understand how important it is to visit and explore your future university before you apply. That's why we have put together a range of online and in-person options to help you discover more about your course, visit campus, and get a sense of postgraduate life at Warwick. Our events offer includes:

  • Warwick hosted events
  • Postgraduate Fairs
  • Live chats
  • Talk and Tours
  • Department events