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Introduction

Our philosophy programme is a distance-learning course designed for those with a broad interest in core areas of philosophy.

It services the needs of philosophy graduates who wish to deepen their understanding of philosophy as well as graduates of cognate subjects who seek to develop a sophisticated understanding of philosophical debates.

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

Location

Online/Distance

Course Length

Course Length: Distance Learning/ Full-time 1-2 years; Part-time 2-4 years
Start Date: 1 October/ 1 February

Why choose this course?

1. The programme is based upon an established pool of expertise in related concerns and covers a range of projects undertaken over a number of years
2. Staff are research active and regularly attend academic conferences.
3. Study cutting edge areas of academic interest
4. The staff expertise represents a considerable bank of knowledge and skills that will underpin this programme and will ensure the student experience is a high quality educational experience.

Overview

By focusing on such areas of Philosophy, the Philosophy (MA) 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 and Ethics.

However Philosophy (MA) is sufficiently broad in the 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.

Candidates will be able to choose from a range of modules covering a variety of different themes and specialist areas. The modules are built around the research specialisms of our academic staff all of whom are research active and regularly publish their thoughts and ideas.

Philosophy (MA) is a modular programme. In Part I, students take four 30-credit modules (one compulsory, three optional, totalling 120 credits). In Part II, students are required to write a 15,000-word dissertation.

Modules

Part I (PG Cert, PG Dip & MA)

• Applied Ethics (30 credits; optional)
• Buddhist Philosophy – Mahayana and Zen Approaches (30 credits; optional)
• Chinese Conceptions of the Self (30 credits; optional)
• Environmental Philosophy (30 credits; optional)
• Interfaith Encounters: Religious Interaction in a Complex World (30 credits; optional)
• Islam Today (30 credits; optional)
• Knowledge, Reason and Reality (30 credits; compulsory)
• Mind and Body: Descartes and Wittgenstein (30 credits; optional)
• Moral Philosophy (30 credits; optional)
• Religious Experience Today (30 credits; optional)
• The Self: East and West (30 credits; optional).

Part II (MA)

• MA Dissertation (Philosophy) (60 credits; compulsory).

Entry Criteria

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

ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.

IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.

Assessment

ASSESSMENT METHODS

1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview

Assessment

Philosophy (MA) grounds your learning across a number of different theoretical and practical areas, specific geographical contexts, and historical themes and perspectives. This is accomplished through a blend of teaching assessments, including a final dissertation focused on a subject of your choice.

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.


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