Masters Degrees in Mental Philosophy

Overview

Are you looking for a highly challenging two-year Research Master's programme in Philosophy? Come to Radboud University!

Philosophy has a unique role within contemporary society. Unlike other academic disciplines, its subject matter is not limited to one set of questions, or one domain of investigation. Philosophers delve into all aspects of science and society. In order to do this, they must possess essential skills, including the ability to analyse complex issues logically and conceptually and the ability to document their conclusions in clear and persuasive language. Such skills are not innate; they require intensive training. The Research Master's programme in Philosophy constitutes the first professional step towards the acquisition of these skills.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/philosophy

What makes this programme special?

- A combination of internationally acclaimed research and excellent teaching
- An offering of research seminars in the history of philosophy, continental philosophy and analytic philosophy
- A broad range of specialisations in Philosophical Anthropology, Metaphysics, Philosophy of mind, Philosophy of language and Logic, Philosophical Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy, History of Philosophy, and Philosophy of Religion.
- An emphasis on the training of research skills
- A personal supervisor who guides you throughout the programme
- An excellent preparation for post-graduate life by means of the specialised character of the Research Master's thesis, which is composed of a publishable article and of a PhD research proposal
- A high chance of obtaining a PhD position in the Netherlands or abroad
- An international climate.

Specialisations of the Master's in Philosophy

The Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies at Radboud University offers the entire range of philosophical disciplines. However, students enrolling in the Research Master's programme are expected to choose one of the following specialisations:

- Metaphysics and Epistemology
In Metaphysics and Epistemology you focus on the development of the hermeneutic tradition – key figures being Schleiermacher, Dilthey, Heidegger, Gadamer, Ricoeur and Derrida.

- Philosophical Anthropology
In Philosophical Anthropology you study the philosophical significance of psychoanalytical hermeneutics as developed by Freud and followers (Lacan, Klein, et. al.). Research focuses in particular on the phenomenological tradition (Sartre, Merleau-Ponty, Deleuze and Butler).

- Philosophical Ethics
In Philosophical Ethics you investigate the moral implications of human actions from the point of view of virtue ethics (Aristotle, MacIntyre), phenomenology (Heidegger, Levinas) and hermeneutics (Gadamer, Ricoeur). This section also runs an international Nietzsche research project.

- Social and Political Philosophy
In Social and Political Philosophy you study ‘the political’ as an essential but conflict-ridden aspect of the human condition, and politics as a way of coping with this. Spinoza, Hobbes, Kant, Schmitt, Arendt, Zizek and Foucault are central figures in this specialisation.

- Philosophy of Language and Logic
Philosophy of Language and Logic involves the study of linguistic expressions such as words, sentences, texts and dialogues, where the emphasis is on the context in which these expressions are being interpreted.

- Philosophy of Mind
In Philosophy of Mind and Science you study problems such as mental causation, phenomenal consciousness and the nature of mental state attribution from the viewpoint of neurophenomenenology and the embodied embedded cognition paradigm.

- History of Philosophy
In History of Philosophy you explore the development of natural philosophy and metaphysics from the late Middle Ages to early modern and modern times, investigating, in particular the evolution of the sciences of psychology and physics from philosophy.

- Philosophy of Religion
In Philosophy of Religion you focus on the philosophical reflection on religion in Western thought and contemporary society, and also exploring the relation between philosophy and religion in Western and other cultural contexts.

Career prospects

Philosophy has a unique role within contemporary society. Unlike other academic disciplines, its subject matter is not limited to one set of questions, nor to one domain of investigation. Philosophers delve into all aspects of science and society. In order to do this, they must possess essential skills, including the ability to analyse complex issues logically and conceptually and the ability to document their conclusions in clear and persuasive language. Such skills are not innate; they require intensive training. The research Master's programme in Philosophy constitutes the first professional step towards the acquisition of these skills.

Job positions

This programme has been designed for people with the ambition to do research. Graduates tend to fall into one of three groups:
1. A majority of the students continue their research within academia by applying for a doctoral programme in the Netherlands or abroad. We take particular pride in the fact that more than 75 percent of our graduates manage to obtain a PhD position within two years of graduating.
2. A second group goes on to teach philosophy at secondary schools.
3. And a third group enter research-related professions outside of education.

Our graduates are also represented in journalism, science policy, and politics.

The reputation of Radboud University – and of the Philosophy Faculty in particular – will serve you well whichever career path you choose.

NVAO: quality Research Master Philosophy above average

At the end of April the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders NVAO has renewed the accreditation of the Research Master Philosophy. The NVAO evaluates the Research Master Philosophy as 'good'. The verdict shows that the NVAO finds the Master's programme systematically above average quality.

Faculty scholarships for excellent international students

The Faculty offers scholarships for excellent students from abroad wishing to start the Research Master’s programme in Philosophy every year. Each scholarship amounts to €10,000 for the first year of the Research Master’s programme, and in case of good study results can be renewed for the second, final year.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/philosophy

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Master's specialisation in Philosophy of Mind (Research)

Philosophy of mind and cognition touches on some of the most profound questions about ourselves: What does it mean to have a mind? How is the brain related to the mind? What is consciousness? How can our mental states drive our actions? Do we have free will?
Traditionally, philosophy of mind is part of the analytical method in philosophy. Recently, however, a more phenomenological approach to typical questions in the philosophy of mind has provided a refreshing new look on old topics. Additionally, the advance of cognitive neuroscience is providing a new method to address old questions. Philosophy of Mind and Cognition in Nijmegen combines traditional analytical theorizing with insights from phenomenology and the empirical sciences.

Information for students of the Research Master

In Philosophy of Mind and Science you study problems such as mental causation, phenomenal consciousness and the nature of mental state attribution from the viewpoint of neurophenomenenology and the embodied embedded cognition paradigm.
The research carried out in this section (‘cognitiefilosofie') covers a number of traditional topics: mental causation, perception of, for example, colour, phenomenal consciousness and qualia, theories of mind, mental content and the nature of folk-psychology.
These subjects are specifically addressed against the backdrop of the idea that cognition is essentially embodied. This is the basic premise of the 'embodied embedded cognition paradigm', the 'enactive' approach to cognition and specific body-based forms of neurophenomenology.
Three smaller research projects take place within this section: (1) 'The Bisected Mind', the idea that folk psychology can be regarded as an interpretation of body-based behavioural tendencies and tries to reconcile indeterminacy of mental state attribution with mental realism (Slors). (2) 'Phenomenal Consciousness and Mental Causation', which addresses the problem of the causal efficacy of phenomenal states as well as the possibility of a science of consciousness (van de Laar). (3) 'Colour Perception', which aims to reconcile different theories on the nature of colour and colour perception by developing the idea that the concept of colour is multi-layered, instead of monolithic (van Leeuwen).

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/philosophy/mind

Career prospects

Philosophy has a unique role within contemporary society. Unlike other academic disciplines, its subject matter is not limited to one set of questions, or one domain of investigation. Philosophers delve into all aspects of science and society. In order to do this, they must possess two essential skills, namely the ability to analyse complex issues logically and conceptually and the ability to document their conclusions in clear and persuasive language. Such skills are not innate. They require intensive training. The Research Master's programme in Philosophy constitutes the first professional step towards the acquisition of these skills.

Job positions

This programme has been designed for people with the ambition to do research. Graduates tend to fall into three groups. A majority of the students continue their research within academia by applying for a doctoral programme in the Netherlands or abroad. We take particular pride in the fact that more than 75 percent of our graduates manage to obtain a PhD position within two years of graduating. A second group goes on to teach philosophy at secondary schools. And a third group enter research-related professions outside of education. Our graduates are also represented in journalism, science policy, and politics.

Our approach to this field

Philosophy has a unique role within contemporary society. Unlike other academic disciplines, its subject matter is not limited to one set of questions, or one domain of investigation. Philosophers delve into all aspects of science and society. In order to do this, they must possess two essential skills, namely the ability to analyse complex issues logically and conceptually and the ability to document their conclusions in clear and persuasive language. Such skills are not innate. They require intensive training. The Research Master's programme in Philosophy constitutes the first professional step towards the acquisition of these skills.

Our research in this field

What makes this programme special?
The English-taught Research Master's programme in Philosophy is a two-year course that is meant for students of proven ability who wish to prepare for an academic career in philosophy. We offer the following to provide you with the best possible academic background:
- A combination of internationally acclaimed research and excellent teaching
- Research seminars in the history of philosophy, continental philosophy and analytic philosophy
- A broad range of specialisations in Philosophical Anthropology, Metaphysics, Philosophy of mind, Philosophy of language and Logic, Philosophical Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy and the History of Philosophy
- An emphasis on the training of research skills
- A personal supervisor who guides you throughout the programme
- An excellent preparation for post-graduate life by means of the specialised character of the Research Master's thesis, which is composed of a publishable article and of a PhD research proposal
- A high chance of obtaining a PhD position in the Netherlands or abroad
- An international climate.

See the website http://www.ru.nl/masters/philosophy/mind

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Focussing study on Philosophy of Mind and Psychology through core taught modules, together with a Dissertation which must be on a topic in this area. In addition, there is the opportunity to study one or two other specialist areas of Philosophy, or (for conversion students) to take an introductory General Philosophy course.

Key benefits

- Open to Philosophy graduates, but also fully accessible to those converting in from other subjects (such as Psychology).

- Trains students to a high level in Philosophy of Psychology and related fields in a short period of time.

- Offers a wide selection of other optional topics, both current and historical, covering the entire philosophical spectrum from aesthetics to logic and everything in between.

- Located in the heart of London.

Visit the website: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught-courses/philosophy-of-psychology-ma.aspx

Course detail

- Description -

Students must earn a total of 180 credits.

60 of these will come from a dissertation of around 10,000 words, on an approved topic in the philosophy of psychology/mind, to be completed over the Summer at the end of the course. A student who satisfactorily completes the course up to the point of the dissertation may exit the programme without completing one, and will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Philosophy of Psychology on the basis of their 120 credits.

Of those initial 120 credits, 80 will normally be required to come from all four of the following modules:

- Philosophy of Psychology I
- Philosophy of Psychology II
- Philosophy of Mind
- Philosophy of Mind II: Special Topics.

In case a student has already taken a similar module in the course of their undergraduate studies, this requirement might occasionally be relaxed: although the first Philosophy of Mind module is the only one where there is a realistic prospect that this will happen. Students are also encouraged to consider the Concept of Mental Disorder module, and may wish to substitute this for one of those listed above.

- Course purpose -

This programme is suited both to students with an undergraduate philosophy degree and to those converting to philosophy from another subject (for instance, psychology) at undergraduate level. For philosophy graduates, it will consolidate and augment their existing knowledge, with a special emphasis on philosophy of psychology and philosophy of mind, and it will provide a firm foundation for subsequent independent research in this area. For conversion students, there is a General Philosophy module which is designed specifically to introduce them to key texts, concepts and arguments from right across the philosophical spectrum: by means of this module, in conjunction with their more specialised studies in the philosophy of psychology, such students will also be prepared for further research.

Career Prospects:

Usually to further research; also to teaching, management, the financial or the public sector.

How to apply: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/taught-courses.aspx

About Postgraduate Study at King’s College London:

To study for a postgraduate degree at King’s College London is to study at the city’s most central university and at one of the top 21 universities worldwide (2016/17 QS World University Rankings). Graduates will benefit from close connections with the UK’s professional, political, legal, commercial, scientific and cultural life, while the excellent reputation of our MA and MRes programmes ensures our postgraduate alumni are highly sought after by some of the world’s most prestigious employers. We provide graduates with skills that are highly valued in business, government, academia and the professions.

Scholarships & Funding:

All current PGT offer-holders and new PGT applicants are welcome to apply for the scholarships. For more information and to learn how to apply visit: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/pg/funding/sources

Free language tuition with the Modern Language Centre:

If you are studying for any postgraduate taught degree at King’s you can take a module from a choice of over 25 languages without any additional cost. Visit: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/mlc

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Students studying the MA in Philosophy choose from a range of specialised subject modules taught by research active academics, creating a particular pathway through the MA. The modules offered highlight the areas of particular strength at Nottingham — metaphysics, mind and knowledge, philosophy of language, ethics, aesthetics.

The MA is supplemented by a core 'Research Methods' module, designed to help students make the transition to postgraduate studies. Each student finishes their MA with a dissertation on a topic of their own choosing.

The course affords students who have studied philosophy at undergraduate level an opportunity to pursue the subject in greater depth. It prepares students who seek entry to a PhD programme, and accords therefore with the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s practice of offering funding packages for 1 (Masters) +3 (PhD) years. It is also suitable for students who do not intend to study for the PhD, but who wish merely to deepen their knowledge of philosophy and acquire some research skills.

Our Department of Philosophy provides excellent support for its research students, many of whom gain valuable teaching experience and publish their research whilst studying with us. Research students are first given the opportunity to lead undergraduate seminars and some, towards the end of their PhD research, have given lecture courses on their area of study.

Visit our website at http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/philosophy for more details about the Department, MA programme, and funding opportunities.

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The MA in Philosophy provides a combination of taught core and option modules which aim to make you familiar with what is at the centre of contemporary debates. Additionally, in the first term, you will attend dissertation preparation seminars to enable you to write your dissertation proposal. Further support is given during the second and third terms and you will write your dissertation under the guidance of a supervisor. During your third term you and your peers will hold an in-house conference.

This MA will give you up-to-date knowledge of contemporary philosophy across a broad range of subjects and provides essential training for students considering going on to do a PhD.

The MA Seminar

The MA Seminar is designed to provide students with detailed knowledge of the core areas of Philosophy. The Seminar consists of four modules:
-Topics in Theoretical Philosophy
-Topics in Practical Philosophy
And 2 Option Modules - The option modules offered in 2016/17 are:
-Contemporary Issues in Bioethics
-German Idealism: Moral, Legal and Political Philosophy
-MA Project Essay*
-Metaphysics of Mind
-Philosophy of Emotions
-Philosophy of Film
-Pragmatism

Postgraduate Research Skills Seminar

The Postgraduate Research Skills Seminar is taught over two terms and is designed to provide students with a grounding in the skills necessary to contribute to contemporary philosophical debates. They attend at least one research seminar or colloquium every two weeks and maintain a reflective journal of their research experiences throughout the Autumn and Spring Terms. Tutorials are held every two weeks during which students discuss their responses to research events as recorded in their journals and provide mentoring and peer support.

Dissertation Preparation

This module will start immediately and continue over the three terms. It is designed to facilitate applicants for AHRC PhD funding who need to have a thesis proposal worked up by the end of the calendar year. This will be particularly beneficial to those who will be pursuing a PhD in Philosophy.

*The Project Essay

This module is designed to enable students with specialised interests to pursue independently a topic of their own choosing. Students taking this module propose an independent study topic. The proposal will then be considered by the Board of Studies and, if accepted, the student will be assigned a suitable member of staff who will supervise the project. The Project Essay is compulsory for part-time students but can also be taken by full-time students as one of their two option modules.

Dissemination Practice

This module is designed to provide students with the opportunity to practise disseminating their work, which is a distinctive and challenging feature of Philosophy as a discipline.
Students will organise and present a paper at a one-day ‘conference’, which will be attended by at least two members of staff.

The Dissertation

As an application of the core knowledge, skills and experience gained in the previous stages of the course, the Dissertation enables students to produce a sustained piece of critical writing on a topic of their choosing. A member of staff with expertise in the relevant area will provide supervision.

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Programme description

Our flagship Philosophy programme offers excellent opportunities to enhance your learning among a large, vibrant and supportive postgraduate and research community at a university that has long been associated with some of the field’s most important thinkers, such as David Hume.

This programme provides an intensive grounding in philosophy, its methodology and techniques of research. It is the ideal programme to lead on to further research and study in philosophy as part of a PhD programme. We will provide a broad advanced education in philosophy or a chance to specialise in any of our key areas:

ancient philosophy
early modern philosophy
epistemology
ethics
mind and cognition

Programme structure

This programme comprises two semesters of taught courses (six in total) followed by a dissertation, which you will write at the end of the second semester and over the summer.

Most courses in the philosophy department are taught in small seminar groups that meet weekly. Assessment is by essays and a dissertation of between 8,000 and 10,000 words.

At the dissertation stage, you will be assigned a supervisor with whom you meet to plan your reading and discuss your work.

Compulsory courses:

Introduction to Philosophical Method (for students without a strong philosophy background)
Advanced Philosophical Method

If you choose to follow a specialisation, the courses you choose will relate to that route. Options may include:

Advanced Topics in Mind, Language and Embodied Cognition
Ancient Theories of Existence
Bounded Rationality
British Enlightenment Philosophy
Epistemology 1
Free Will and Moral Responsibility
Introduction to Philosophical Method
Introduction to Mind, Language and Embodied Cognition
Meta-Ethics
Philosophy and the Environment

Career opportunities

This is the ideal programme for deepening your involvement in philosophy, giving you a grounding in postgraduate work or developing an academic career in philosophy.

The study of philosophy helps develop general intellectual abilities and enhance analytical, critical, interpretive and problem-solving abilities.

This programme brings you into a postgraduate community with a very high academic job-placement record.

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The programme, unique in the UK for its combination of philosophical and sociological perspectives on science and technology, examines the concept of science, the knowledge it provides and the way in which the production of knowledge is organised in society. In doing so, it will prepare you for further research or employment in the management and evaluation of science and its impact on society – an increasingly important aspect of science policy.

Based in the department of Sociology the programme draws on staff research interests and expertise in the philosophy of biology, the mind, economics and social science, as well as in the sociology of science and technology.

You will also benefit from close collaboration with Egenis, the Centre for the Study of Life Sciences(http://socialsciences.exeter.ac.uk/sociology/research/sts/egenis/) a world class research centre at Exeter set up to investigate the meaning and social implications of contemporary genomic science. The Centre offers option modules and other study workshops for participants on the programme.

For further information on this programme please visit our website: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/sociology/philsocscima

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This Masters is especially designed for students who don't already have a Philosophy degree. It will provide you with an in-depth knowledge of analytic philosophy, for instance, moral and political philosophy, the history of philosophy, philosophy of the mind and philosophy of mathematics and language. The MLitt is also exceptional in providing a fast-track route into a PhD in Philosophy.

Why this programme

◾If you have a degree (or equivalent) in any other field, whether science, social science, arts or humanities, but an interest in philosophy, then the Philosophy MLitt will allow you to develop your philosophical interests in a variety of different courses as well as undertake a dissertation on a topic of your choice.
◾If you want to do a PhD in Philosophy but don't already have a Philosophy degree, then the MLitt will allow you to apply straightaway for the PhD.
◾We offer courses to bring you up to speed in a wide variety of philosophical topics, including ethics and politics, the history of philosophy including Russell, Wittgenstein and the Scottish Enlightenment, philosophy of mind - including consciousness, perception, the emotions, pain and pleasure - philosophy of language, and philosophy of mathematics.
◾You will work closely with an expert member of staff on a master’s dissertation on a topic of your choice.
◾MLitt students are encouraged to attend and participate in research seminars, workshops, conferences and reading groups hosted by the Centre for the Study of Perceptual Experience, the Forum for Philosophy and Religion, and the Forum for Quine and the History of Analytic Philosophy. Students will also present their work at the weekly postgraduate seminar where they will receive feedback from postgraduate students and staff. We also host an annual reading party in the Highlands at which students present papers and are coached on their writing and presentation skills.
◾Philosophy at Glasgow University has an illustrious history of original thinkers going against the grain of orthodoxy. Its past professors include such giants of empiricism as Adam Smith and Thomas Reid.

Programme structure

The Philosophy MLitt has three components:

1. Introduction to Analytic Philosophy (40 credits)

2. A choice of four of the following courses (20 credits each):
◾Aesthetics: philosophical questions about art and beauty
◾Origins of analytic philosophy including Russell and Wittgenstein
◾Philosophy of the Scottish Enlightenment including Hume and Reid
◾Philosophy of mind: consciousness, emotions, pain and pleasure
◾Moral philosophy: philosophical questions about value and well being
◾Political philosophy: philosophical questions about justice and the state
◾Metaphysics including existence, natural laws and the nature of time
◾Philosophy of language including meaning, translation and truth
◾Philosophy of mathematics: the nature and existence of numbers and sets

3. A dissertation on a topic of your choice guided by individual support from an expert supervisor (60 credits).

Career prospects

Philosophy students at Glasgow receive rigorous and personalised training in problem solving skills, writing skills, presentation and research skills.

All these skills are widely applicable and recognised to be exceptionally valuable in a wide range of careers, including journalism, teaching, the Civil Service, local government, business, publishing, law, and the arts.

You will also be well equipped to carry onto a further degree in philosophy such as the PhD.

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Our Philosophy MSc offers you the opportunity to work closely with our staff in courses based upon their own expertise and current research. It will introduce you to the cutting edge of recent developments in analytic philosophy, from the practical and applied, to the most theoretical end of the subject.

Why this programme

◾The extraordinary amount of staff time and personalised attention that students on our Philosophy MSc programme receive makes this degree exceptional. Its courses are designed to reflect the developments at the forefront of the discipline, drawing upon the extensive and internationally recognised expertise of our staff in metaphysics, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, ethics and political philosophy.
◾New research-driven courses on history of analytic philosophy including Wittgenstein are planned for 2016-17 (subject to approval). You will also work closely with a member of staff on a topic of your choice for your dissertation.
◾Our courses are closely connected with research activity of both individual members of staff and the collaborative undertakings of the Centre for the Study of Perceptual Experience, the Forum for Philosophy and Religion, and the Forum for Quine and the History of Analytic Philosophy.
◾MSc students are encouraged to attend and participate in research seminars, workshops, conferences and reading groups hosted by these bodies. They will also present their work at the weekly postgraduate seminar where they will receive feedback from postgraduate students and staff. We host an annual reading party in the Highlands at which students also present papers and are coached on their writing and presentation skills.
◾Philosophy at Glasgow University has an illustrious history of original thinkers going against the grain of orthodoxy. Its past professors include such giants of empiricism as Adam Smith and Thomas Reid.

Programme structure

The degree consists of a choice of a choice of four semester-length courses across a range of philosophical topics, all driven by the cutting edge research of our professors and lecturers. There is also a 10-15000 word dissertation to be completed on a topic of your choice, supported by an expert supervisor over the summer.

We always offer the following courses:
◾Metaphysics A (semester 1) and B (semester 2)
◾Philosophy of Language A (semester 1) and B (semester 2)
◾Political Philosophy A (semester 1) and B (semester 2)
◾Ethics A (semester 1) and B (semester 2)
◾Philosophy of Mind A (semester 1) and B (semester 2)

Students may either choose two topics and complete both semester-length courses in that topic (e.g. Metaphysics A and B and Philosophy of Language A and B) or choose semester-length courses in several topics (e.g. Ethics A and B, Philosophy of Mind A and Political Philosophy B).

New courses are planned for 2016-17 (subject to approval) in the following topics:

History of Analytic Philosophy including Wittgenstein and Quine A (semester 1) and B (semester 2).

Career prospects

Philosophy students at Glasgow receive rigorous and personalised training in problem solving skills, writing skills, presentation and research skills.

All these skills are widely applicable and recognised to be exceptionally valuable in a wide range of careers, including journalism, teaching, the Civil Service, local government, business, publishing, law, and the arts.

This degree also provides an exceptional foundation for philosophical research at the doctoral level.

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Programme description

This programme introduces the main fields, topics and research methods in ancient philosophy. It is appropriate for applicants who have previously studied philosophy and classics, or have backgrounds in history, political theory, science and literature. The programme is appropriate for applicants who have previously studied philosophy and classics, as well as those with backgrounds in history, political theory, science and literature.

The degree provides a necessary preparation for further postgraduate research towards a doctoral degree or an academic background to a professional career outside academia.

You will be exposed to the main doctrines and texts of ancient philosophy – including Pre-Socratics, Plato and Aristotle, Hellenistic philosophy and Late Antiquity – mastering analytical skills pertaining to philosophical arguments and to historical (textual) sources.

You will develop the ability to reconstruct, analyse and critically assess philosophical arguments and doctrines based on a careful study of the texts.

Programme structure

You study two semesters of taught courses followed by a dissertation.

Compulsory courses:

• Ancient Philosophy Seminar I and II
• Methodology Seminars in Classics

Option courses may include:

• Ancient Ethics
• Ancient Theories of Knowledge
• History of Science and Religion in the Christian Tradition
• Christian-Muslim Relations and the Relationship Between the World of Islam and the West
• Ancient Theories of Existence
• Ancient Theories of Mind
• Topics in Hellenistic Philosophy

Other option courses can be chosen from outside Philosophy and Classics with permission from the Programme Director.

You are encouraged to take at least one course outside the ‘ancient’ curriculum, such as:

• Introduction to Philosophical Method
• Introduction to Mind, Language, and Embodied Cognition
• Free Will and Moral Responsibility
• Advanced Philosophical Method
• Advanced Topics in Mind, Language & Embodied Cognition
• Value Theory

Learning outcomes

You will enhance your knowledge and understanding of the main broad areas of ancient philosophy (Pre-Socratics, High Classics (Plato and Aristotle), Hellenistic philosophy, Late Antiquity) and medieval philosophy, specific types of philosophical thought (idealism, corporealism, naturalism, rationalism, skepticism) in their historical context.

An important goal of the programme is to develop the ability to reconstruct, analyse and critically assess philosophical arguments and doctrines on the basis of a careful study of the text.

For those planning to go on to a PhD in Ancient Philosophy, there will be an opportunity to enhance your knowledge of classical languages by studying the course texts in the original language. Up to 40 credits in ancient Greek, Latin or Arabic can be taken at introductory, intermediate or advanced level.

Career opportunities

This programme aims to improve your analytical skills and give you a solid background in core areas of humanities useful for careers in professional fields such as law, education or public policy.

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Our MA in Philosophy is designed for those who wish to broaden their study of philosophy and make a gradual transition to research.
As the study of fundamental questions connected to reality, existence, the mind, language and thought, Philosophy at Kent is designed to develop your ideas, independent thought and problem-solving skills. You can engage with a number of themes, from ethics, metaethics, causation, social epistemology and political philosophy. The flexibility of this programme ensures that the student is able to negotiate his or her own path of study through a range of modules which take into account the your own background and reflects the research specialisms from the Department of Philosophy.

Course structure

This programme is ideal for graduates of philosophy or related disciplines who wish to widen their knowledge of topics, gain more training in philosophical methodology, and/or narrow down their interests of specialisation in preparation for a PhD. The MA in Philosophy comprises four 30-credit coursework modules (for a total of 120 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits). There are two ways to receive credit for these modules:

1.MA students are expected to attend, and may choose to be assessed on the basis of essays on topics covered in, our Graduate Seminars. The seminars are divided into two streams: Theoretical Reasoning, and History of Philosophy and Practical Philosophy. Topics covered vary each year in line with current staff research. Recent topics include the epistemology of disagreement, paradoxes, game theory, and Derek Parfit's On What Matters.

2.In addition to attending the graduate seminars, MA students may, in consultation with the MA Programme Director, choose from a number of mixed undergraduate/graduate modules, typically assessed by a 4,000-word essay. The module offering varies from year to year. For a complete list of what is currently offered, please consult the Stage 2/3 module list.

Upon successful completion of the four coursework essays, students proceed to the writing of the dissertation.

Assessment is by coursework essays of 4,000 words and the dissertation of 8-10,000 words.

Visit the website: https://www.kent.ac.uk/secl/philosophy/postgraduate/taught-philosophy.html

Careers

A postgraduate degree in philosophy is a valuable and flexible qualification, which allows you to develop skills in logical thinking, critical evaluation, persuasion, writing and independent thought.

Graduates have gone on to positions in journalism, administration in the civil service, education, advertising and a range of managerial positions. Some go on to pursue research in the area, many continuing with PhDs at Kent or other higher education institutions.

How to apply: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/apply/

Postgraduate scholarships and funding

We have a scholarship fund of over £9 million to support our taught and research students with their tuition fees and living costs. Find out more: https://www.kent.ac.uk/scholarships/postgraduate/

English language learning

If you need to improve your English before and during your postgraduate studies, Kent offers a range of modules and programmes in English for Academic Purposes (EAP). Find out more here: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/international/english.html

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Our MA in Reasoning offers an opportunity to study topics related to reasoning and inference as a specialised discipline within philosophy. Reasoning is the process of forming conclusions, inferences or judgements. This MA programme covers areas such as cognitive science and artificial intelligence (AI); scientific, mathematical, logical, causal and inductive reasoning; philosophy of mind, logic and language. Offered with the Department of Philosophy, the programme enables you to either focus exclusively on philosophical topics or study reasoning-related topics in psychology, computing, statistics, law, social policy, biosciences and history.

The programme is ideal for philosophy graduates who would like to widen their knowledge of reason-related topics (psychology, legal, machine, scientific reasoning), graduates with previous training in a reason-related topic who wishes to pursue an enquiry into its philosophical foundations, or those who wish to pursue these interests at postgraduate level for its own sake, as well as for those who wish to explore areas of specialisation in preparation for a PhD.

Visit the website: https://www.kent.ac.uk/secl/philosophy/postgraduate/taught-reasoning.html

Format and assessment

The flexibility of this programme ensures that you are able to negotiate your own path of study through a range of modules which take into account your background and reflects the research specialisms of the teaching staff who are nationally, and internationally, recognised in their fields.

Assessment is by coursework essays of 4,000 words and the dissertation of 8-10,000 words.

Careers

A postgraduate degree in philosophy is a valuable and flexible qualification, which allows you to develop skills in logical thinking, critical evaluation, persuasion, writing and independent thought.

Graduates have gone on to positions in journalism, administration in the civil service, education, advertising and a range of managerial positions. Some go on to pursue research in the area, many continuing with PhDs at Kent or other higher education institutions.

How to apply: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/apply/

Postgraduate scholarships and funding

We have a scholarship fund of over £9 million to support our taught and research students with their tuition fees and living costs. Find out more: https://www.kent.ac.uk/scholarships/postgraduate/

English language learning

If you need to improve your English before and during your postgraduate studies, Kent offers a range of modules and programmes in English for Academic Purposes (EAP). Find out more here: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/international/english.html

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The University of Sheffield MA Cognitive Studies is a taught postgraduate degree offering one-year full-time and two-year part-time options.

Students complete a range of core and optional modules, followed by a dissertation. The course awards a full Master of Arts qualification.

Course description 2017

You'll study the key theoretical issues and how they relate to empirical findings on the development and functioning of human cognition.

There are modules in the departments of archaeology, human communication sciences, linguistics, philosophy and psychology. You'll be based in the Department of Philosophy but you are free to specialise in any of the other subjects

Core modules

Cognitive Studies Seminar

Dissertation

Other modules include

Mind and Language Research Seminar

Philosophy of Psychology

Foundations of Cognitive Neuroscience

Current Issues In Cognitive Neuroscience

Evolutionary Primatology

Hominid Palaeontology

Teaching and assessment

Lectures and seminars. Fortnightly supervision for guided reading.

You’ll write a long essay for each module and a dissertation.

If you’re going on to a PhD you may choose to write a PhD proposal.

Course duration

1 year full-time

2 years part-time

Funding

The following postgraduate funding may be available to study the Cognitive Studies MA at The University of Sheffield.

UK postgraduate loans:

English Postgraduate Loans – Offering up to £10,280 for eligible UK or EU students ordinarily resident in England, or EU students moving to England to study.

Welsh Postgraduate Loans – Offering up to £10,280 for eligible UK or EU students ordinarily resident in Wales.

Scottish Postgraduate Loans – Offering up to £10,000 for eligible UK or EU students ordinarily resident in Scotland.

Northern Irish Postgraduate Loans – Offering up to £5,500 for eligible UK or EU students ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland.

Erasmus funding:

Erasmus Masters Loans – Offering up to €18,000 for eligible students to study a Masters abroad.

Funding from FindAMasters:

FindAMasters Scholarships – Offering up to £5,000 to new UK, EU and international postgraduates. 

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This degree gives you access to the very wide range of philosophical topics and expertise available in the Department. It's great preparation for Philosophy research, as well as an attractive postgraduate course.

You'd attend a main seminar every week and study six philosophical areas, drawn from the research interests of staff. There'll be a further three elective modules to study, involving regular graduate seminars and a lecture course, plus research and dissertation training.

Assessment for this programme is mostly by semester essay.

This 12-month programme consists of a number of one-semester taught modules, the two main seminar modules (Religion, Ethics and Practical Philosophy and Metaphysics, Language and Mind) and a two-semester research skills module (which includes such transferable skills as logic/reasoning and presentation of papers), and a supervised dissertation over the summer. Students take two elective modules in the first semester and one in the second semester, or vice versa.

Key Facts

Excellent career prospects
Most of our graduates find employment with museums and galleries in the UK or abroad, or pursue PhD studies, which are often collaborative projects with our cultural partners.

Small group teaching
This gives you the opportunity to develop team-working and interpersonal skills.

Networking opportunities
The range of events and activities organised by us at Liverpool’s galleries and museums offer you valuable networking opportunities.

Why Philosophy?

Be part of a city with a reputation for philosophical thought

With its impressive wealth of museum and galleries and its vibrant cultural scene, Liverpool is an ideal place to pursue a degree in the theory and practice of Art.

Experience the full breadth of our academics’ expertise

We are internationally renowned for our research in Philosophy of Art, Philosophy of Language, Metaphysics, Philosophy of Mind, Continental Philosophy, Environmental Philosophy and History of Philosophy, as well as for collaborative and interdisciplinary research in creativity and technology.

We have a tradition of active engagement with the wider life of our city

The Department is home to a range of successful Knowledge Exchange and public engagement projects with cultural partners across Europe, placing it at the forefront of art-related research and its impact to the community.

Career prospects

Our programmes aim to equip students with the general and widely applicable analytical, argumentative and problem solving skills and abilities valued by employers. Some of our postgraduate students have gone on to a career in academic Philosophy, but a variety of careers are open to those obtaining postgraduate Philosophy degrees, including business, management, the law, the media, the arts, computing, the Civil Service and teaching.

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You will take two core courses and 6 option courses.You will be assessed through coursework and a 15,000-word dissertation.

The compulsory courses are:

• Historical Methodology;
• Historical Research: Skills and Sources

Option courses previously available include:

• Epicurus and Epicureanism
• Myth and the History of Scholarship in Early Modern Europe
• Theories of Empire in the Early Modern Period
• Intellectual History of the American Revolution
• Religion and the Enlightenment: the Birth of the Modern
• Athens of the North: the Origins and Ideas of the Scottish Enlightenment;
• Mind and Body in Early Modern Philosophy;
• Seeking Japan in a Westernising World, 1868–1945;
• Thinking the Twentieth Century;
• Citizens and Subjects: Concepts of Citizenship in Modern African Intellectual History.

Learning outcomes

Students are expected to achieve several aims, which will be assessed primarily by essays and a dissertation, such as:

• knowledge of the chief methods of practising intellectual history
• a detailed understanding of certain major episodes in intellectual history
• an appreciation of the interdependence of text and context, and of the importance of ideas in past and present

A wide variety of intellectual skills are promoted through seminars, discussions and advanced study, encouraging the development of the:

• ability to develop tight and coherent arguments both orally and on the page
• capacity to read texts critically and sensitively, evaluating their arguments as well as situating them in their practical and intellectual contexts
• appreciation of a variety of approaches to intellectual history
• ability to cross-disciplinary boundaries, for example, between philosophy, science and history

Career opportunities

Our students view the programme and a graduate degree from Edinburgh as an advanced qualification valued and respected by many employers. Those students interested in long-term academic careers consider the programme as preparation for a PhD.

The combination of specialised skills training courses and seminars, and the opportunity for independent research provides you with transferable skills that will be beneficial whatever path you choose. Graduates pursue work in related areas such as museums, policy think-tanks, national and international civil services, non-governmental organisations, galleries, libraries and historic trusts whilst others build on the transferable skills gained and enter areas as diverse as business, media, public administration and marketing.

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