Philosophy

Entry requirements

Students should have a good degree, 2:2 minimum, from an awarding UK institution, or its equivalent. It is not necessary to hold the degree in philosophy. For students who fall short of this requirement, relevant work experience, or evidence of experience in the field, can be considered as an alternative.

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

Please note, all course information including entry requirements relates to the 2022/23 academic year.

This is a combined taught and research degree in Philosophy, which will teach you how to successfully undertake research on philosophical topics of your interest. Apart from providing Master-level training in philosophy, the course also guides you practically to develop your research skills and abilities. The course can be taken as an excellent foundation for doctoral (PhD) work, but also as part of personal or professional development. Modules are team-taught by various staff on the programme, which will expose you to different views on the nature of philosophical inquiry and will give you access to expertise in all main areas of philosophy.

The M.Res. (Master of Research) degree is a combined taught and research degree, in which you take an advanced taught module in ‘Metaphilosophy’ (the study of the nature of philosophical inquiry) which is jointly taught by various staff on the programme. You will write a dissertation (about 20,000 words) and also undergo research training, which is assessed by portfolio. The focus on metaphilosophy is unique to Keele, and makes for a fascinating course of study, since the various staff who will teach you have very different views about the nature of philosophical inquiry. This degree is ideal for students who want the freedom to write a dissertation on a topic of their choice, while also receiving the guidance expected from a taught masters.

Topics currently or recently researched at Keele at M.Res., M.Phil. or Ph.D. level include:

• Collingwood’s Philosophy of History
• Davidson, Rorty, and the Problem of Mental Causation
• Panpsychism in Contemporary Analytic Philosophy of Mind
• Philosophical progress: its possibility and nature
• Kant's transendential idealism and laws of nature

We are always ready to supervise dissertations relating to our main research strengths, which are: Kantian philosophy (all aspects); metaphilosophy; philosophy of mind and action; Collingwood; Rorty. We will also consider proposals within the areas of history of philosophy; political philosophy; environmental philosophy; metaphysics; moral philosophy, in particular normative ethics and metaethics; and many other areas of philosophy.

Information for international students

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ENTRY REQUIREMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Students for whom English is not the first language are required to take one of the internationally recognised English language tests such as Academic IELTS or equivalent English language qualification. The minimum entry level is IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each subtest, or equivalent English language test scores.

Fees and funding

For information related to fees and funding, please visit the individual course page on the Keele University website.