Explore contemporary issues in Philosophy
Year of entry: 2023 (September)
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See upcoming eventsaccording to the Times Higher Education's ranking of the latest REF results (2021).
according to the Times Higher Education's ranking of the latest REF results (2021).
On our MA in Philosophy you'll engage with key issues at the centre of contemporary debates, and you'll gain up-to-date knowledge of philosophy across a broad range of topics.
The flexible programme gives you the opportunity to choose option modules, and provides training in critical thinking and analysis. You'll be able to create a substantial piece of research following your own interests.
You'll develop valuable transferable skills in research and presentation which will be essential if you are thinking of continuing to study to PhD level. The skills that you develop on the course will also equip you for a range of careers.
We hold an Athena SWAN bronze award for our commitment to gender equality.
On the MA in Philosophy you'll study issues at the centre of contemporary debates. Teaching will be research-led, drawing on our strong and diverse research community.
We have strong research interests in history of philosophy, philosophy of mind, ethics, aesthetics, and several other fields, allowing you to cover a broad range of philosophical issues.
You'll learn about dissertation preparation, and will work on postgraduate research skills. Later in the year you and your peers will hold an in-house conference.
You'll attend regular research seminars (colloquia) in the department at which guest speakers will discuss their latest research.
Course structure for part-time study
Year 1: Reading Philosophy and two option modules.
Year 2: Research Skills and Dissemination Practice, two option modules and your dissertation.
You will also study four option modules. Option modules will vary from year to year according to staff availability. The availability of each option module is subject to a minimum enrolment number. In previous years, options have covered topics such as:
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
Your 10,000 word dissertation enables you to produce a sustained piece of critical writing on a topic of your choosing. It will allow you to apply the core knowledge, skills and experience that you have gained in the previous stage of the course.
You'll attend dissertation preparation seminars to enable you to write your proposal, with further support later in the year. You'll be supervised by a member of staff with expertise in the relevant area.
Recent dissertation topics have included the perception of the present, personal identity, the puzzle of imaginative resistance, the preservation of endangered species, freedom of expression, ethics and the environment and the unreality of time.
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
I particularly liked the broad course content offered by the Department of Philosophy at York, as well as the combination and balance of taught and research elements. The teaching staff are brilliant. Their combination of academic rigour and approachability is winning. They are always happy to provide feedback and discuss lines of thought.Daniel, MA in PhilosophyFind out more about the course from our students.
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (1 year) | £9,990 | £22,250 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. |
£4,995 | £11,125 |
Students on a Student Visa (formerly Tier 4 Visa) are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year, the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study.
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2023/24 throughout the year.
If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.
For further information on all eligibility criteria and how to apply for our scholarships see our funding opportunities for Philosophy.
Eligibility: Home, EU or international students pursuing research in the field of philosophy of religion, or research on contemporary issues or themes using a philosophy of religion perspective.
Scholarship award: £5,000 reduction in fees for Home/EU or international students.
Eligibility: Home (UK) students.
Scholarship award: a contribution of £5,000 towards living costs.
A prize of £500 awarded to the MA Philosophy student who achieves the highest essay mark (>72) in the MA assessment period.
A prize of £300 will be awarded to the student who achieves the highest essay mark (>72) in the field of philosophy of religion, or research on contemporary issues or themes using a philosophy of religion perspective.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
You'll be taught by intensive seminars and individual or small-group tutorials, which will allow you and your tutors to systematically explore complex issues at the forefront of Philosophy.
You'll be part of a lively research community at the Humanities Research Centre which includes staff, postgraduate students, postdoctoral scholars and academic visitors from across the arts and humanities.
You will be based in the Department of Philosophy on Campus West. Most of your contact hours will be nearby on Campus West.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
Your work will be assessed in a variety of ways:
You will also receive assignments throughout your course which will provide constant feedback on your development, and help prepare you for your assessments.
Studying Philosophy develops skills that are highly sought after by employers and transferable to many different careers. Our graduates have gone on to roles in marketing, education, finance, IT, the charity sector, tourism and leisure industries, as well as into academia.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:1 or equivalent in a degree that includes some philosophy. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
You will need to submit examples of written work with your application. Please see our guidance on submitting written work.
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 7.0, minimum 7.0 in Writing and 6.5 in all other components |
| C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency | 185, minimum 185 in Writing and 176 in all other components |
| Duolingo | 130, minimum 130 in Production and 120 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | C1 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert International ESOL | C1 Expert: Pass with 25/50 in each component |
| PTE Academic/PTE Academic Online | 67, minimum of 67 in Writing and 61 in all other components |
| TOEFL | 96, minimum 24 in Writing and 23 in all other components |
| Trinity ISE III | Distinction in all components |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
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