Philosophy

Entry requirements

You will typically need a strong upper second-class honours degree (65% or higher) or an international equivalent in any subject. If your degree is not in philosophy, we may ask you to provide a sample of your writing to demonstrate writing and research capability.

Many students gain admission to our programme with prior training in philosophy. However, the pathways within our programme also make it particularly suited to students with non-philosophy backgrounds (eg physics for the Philosophy of Physics pathway; maths for the Logic and Philosophy of Mathematics pathway; psychology or biology for the Philosophy of Biological and Cognitive Sciences pathway; or politics or sociology for the Political Philosophy pathway).

If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date.

We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply.

We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications:

• evidence of significant, relevant work experience in any research-intensive discipline - research assistants in academia or outside (think tanks, specific projects, civil service) or in journalism.
• a relevant postgraduate qualification.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The MA in Philosophy will give you a thorough grounding in the core knowledge and skills required for philosophical research, while also allowing you to pursue your own philosophical interests in depth.

Bristol ranks as one of the top ten philosophy departments in the UK in the Philosophical Gourmet Report. Our staff have diverse research interests and expertise across a wide range of philosophical areas.

You can design a path to match your interests by choosing one of the following seven specialist pathways, each dedicated to a key area of contemporary philosophical research:

• Ethics
• Epistemology and Metaphysics
• Logic and Philosophy of Mathematics
• Philosophy and History of Science
• Philosophy of Biological and Cognitive Sciences
• Philosophy of Physics
• Political Philosophy.

Each pathway has distinct mandatory units, providing the foundation to develop specialist expertise in a particular area of philosophy. Your dissertation is an opportunity to work on an extended and original piece of research on a topic of your choosing, with guidance from a research supervisor. You will develop a deep knowledge and understanding of key areas of philosophy and a sophisticated ability to critically evaluate and assess philosophical theories.

You will be an active member of the department's flourishing research culture and will be encouraged to take part in our regular events, including research seminars, workshops and reading groups. There is also a dedicated weekly postgraduate seminar with a friendly and supportive environment.

Information for international students

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Fees and funding

Funding and studentship opportunities are listed on the Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences funding pages.

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.