Philosophy

Entry requirements

You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant area.

Relevant equivalent study or professional experience can also be considered for entry.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Do you have philosophical questions that need answering? Carry out your own independent research as part of a vibrant community with a diverse range of interests and approaches. Complete essential training with our experts to support your project.

Design your own research project, supported by our supervisors with expertise across a range of philosophical topics. Gain the key tools to complete your project as an independent researcher through taught modules.

Course highlights

At Birmingham, we focus on philosophy with a real-world impact.

The MRes Philosophy allows you to develop the skills for both PhD study and a future career. You'll complete a major individual research project, supervised by a specialist in your topic of interest, and you’ll also study taught modules which develop your research and analytical skills.

• Enjoy flexibility and choose from a wide range of taught modules covering a variety of philosophical topics, allowing you to select options to best support your research project.
• Get involved with ongoing research activities, including research seminars and events such as our speaker series, various workshops, reading groups and conferences throughout the year.
• An MRes combines the best of postgraduate taught study with in-depth independent research.

Course delivery

At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in Philosophy.

An MRes is a programme that helps you develop the skills for doctoral study and a future career. You’ll complete a major individual research project, supervised by a specialist in the field of study, and a taught component that develops research and analytical skills.

• Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
• Seminars – modules are mainly taught by small group teaching.
• Research thesis– you'll undertake a 20,000-word thesis in an area that interests you.

Information for international students

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.

For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:

• TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill

Fees and funding

The College of Arts and Law is a vibrant community of students and academics, dedicated to ensuring that excellence is rewarded, and that fears about finance do not constrain current or prospective students. For this reason, in addition to University funding schemes, we offer our own College-specific funding initiatives.