Research Degrees in

Philosophy

in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Overview

Do you want to advance or change your career, deepen your expertise in a topic, or expand your research and practical skills?

With a PhD or other postgraduate research degree in Philosophy you will:

  • Work with experts in the field. We have a wide range of expertise, and can supervise projects on contemporary and historical European and global philosophy.
  • Choose from our flexible study pathways. We offer full- and part-time PhD, MPhil, and MA by Research courses. Our distance learning programme is ideal for anyone around the world who wants to pursue a research degree but has professional or personal commitments that prevent traditional, campus-based study.
  • Join a thriving intellectual community. Our Human Sciences Seminar Series has, for nearly 40 years, provided a forum for philosophical discussion. The seminars are distinctive for embracing cross-disciplinary and cross-continental approaches to philosophy.
  • Engage in our innovative public engagement programme. RAH! (Research in Arts and Humanities) is a curated programme of public lectures, performances, film screenings, fairs, interventions, discussions, artist happenings and augmented reality.
  • Undertake tailored personal and professional development training. The Postgraduate Arts and Humanities Centre provides a comprehensive development programme for research students.

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Areas of supervisory expertise

We can supervise a broad range of projects within Philosophy. Our areas of expertise include:

  • Phenomenology; 19th- and 20th-century Continental European Philosophy
  • Kant and German Idealism; Pragmatism and American Philosophy
  • Metaphysics and Ontology
  • Moral Philosophy; Metaethics
  • Philosophy of Psychiatry; Philosophy of Medicine; Philosophy of Education
  • Philosophy of Religion; Process Philosophy
  • Critical Social Theories; Feminist Social Epistemology
  • History and Philosophy of Science; Early Modern Thought

Find out more about our staff's expertise

Research culture

Our academics play a major role in national and international philosophy research. We are involved with the British Society for Phenomenology, the British Society for the History of Philosophy, the Society for European Philosophy, and the Values-based Theory Network.

More about our research culture

As a postgraduate researcher, you will play an active role in the intellectual life of the University. You are encouraged to participate in our Human Sciences Seminar Series, which is a well-established programme of seminars that facilitates discussions of philosophy from cross-disciplinary and cross-continental perspectives.

The social and intellectual life of the Faculty is enhanced by the Postgraduate Arts and Humanities Centre (PAHC) which provides:

  • A thorough research development programme
  • A space for cross-disciplinary discussion, support and experimentation
  • Hive, an academic e-journal, edited by current students
  • RAH!, an innovative programme of socially and culturally engaged public engagement events.

Courses offered, duration, and start dates

Programmes offered

  • PhD (3 years full time, 6 years part time)
  • MPhil (2 years full time, 4 years part time)
  • Master's by Research (1 year full time, 2 years part time)

Find out more about the different research degrees we offer

Start dates

The majority of our students enrol in October. We offer further enrolment points in January and April.

Distance learning

Research degrees are available to study on-campus or through distance learning.

Career prospects

Our intellectually rigorous research degrees will equip you with the necessary skills to pursue academic research in Philosophy or related disciplines.

You will also gain higher-level skills in research, critical argument, project management, and communications, that equip you to enter managerial positions in a range of sectors.

Course structure

This course is research based. You will independently conduct research into your own topic or a topic that we advertise. Your supervisory team will offer expert guidance throughout your studies and review work in progress.

Each year, you will follow a programme of training and development to enhance your research methods, subject-matter expertise and professional skills.

Fees and funding

Find out more

Postgraduate Research Degrees Fees

Please refer to our Fees page for more information on tuition fees.

Loans for research degrees

Many of our PhD and Professional Doctorate programmes are eligible for the government's Doctoral Loan Scheme. MPhil and MA/MSc by Research degrees are eligible for a Postgraduate Loan.

Find out more about tuition fees and financial support

Scholarships

Each year we offer a number of competitive scholarships to support high quality research projects. Current scholarship opportunities in Philosophy are advertised on our site.

Sign up to be notified when relevant scholarships are advertised

North West Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership

We are a member of the North West Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership which allows us to offer fully funded scholarships in the Arts and Humanities. Please contact us for more information.

Entry requirements

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You should, as a minimum, have a first or 2.1 honours degree or an equivalent qualification.

International students must demonstrate a sufficiently high standard of English language ability. In order to enter most postgraduate courses the English requirements are IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 575, and TOEFL computer-based 230.

We welcome interest from applicants from non-standard backgrounds. We will take subject knowledge, professional experience, publications, or other appropriate evidence of accomplishment into consideration.

See more about our standard entry requirements.

Enquiries

Before applying for a research degree, you should have a preliminary discussion with a member of staff about your project and ideas. To arrange this, please email Dr Anna Bergqvist, a.bergqvist@mmu.ac.uk, the Research Degrees Co-ordinator for Philosophy.

For further information on the application process, contact the Admissions team at pgradmissions@mmu.ac.uk.

How to apply

Apply now

To apply for this degree, please select one of the study options below to begin your application.

Before you apply, you should discuss your project with a member of academic staff. You should also complete the postgraduate research degree thesis proposal form, which you will need to upload as part of your application. The document can be attached at the final checklist section after you’ve submitted your application.


Postgraduate Study