Philosophy and the Arts

Entry requirements

2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in philosophy or with a significant philosophical component (candidates with a background in pther Arts subjects will also be considered); a strong personal statement; a writing sample of 2500 words

Months of entry

October, September

Course content

This is a new interdisciplinary degree that allows you to combine study of philosophy with any or all of three arts disciplines. Warwick has been a home for interdisciplinary work in philosophy and literature since the early days of the university, and this new degree is the successor to Warwick’s long-standing MA in Philosophy and Literature.

The degree is designed to take advantage of Warwick’s strengths across Philosophy, English and Comparative Literary Studies, History of Art, and Film and Television Studies. Warwick has excellent research strength in all of these areas, and it also has lively scholarly interaction across these fields, especially through the programming of the Centre for Research in Philosophy, Literature and the Arts(CRPLA). On this programme, you will participate in this intellectual community, pursue advanced study in two or more disciplines, and address questions about philosophy and the arts that speak to students’ individual interests.

• A first degree in philosophy is not required for you to study on this programme. However, some grounding in theoretical study of one or more arts is essential.
• You will take a core module entitled Topics in Philosophy and the Arts, and then the further structure of the degree will depend on whether you choose to take the dissertation or non-dissertation route.

If you write a dissertation you will take a total of four modules (allowing a choice from two departments in addition to Philosophy). Your project can be supervised by faculty members from any of the contributing departments. If you take the nondissertation route you will take six modules in total (allowing a choice of modules from all four contributing departments).

Whether you want to continue on to PhD study or whether you’re looking to enter a career outside of academia, this programme is a great foundation. Broadly, this is a degree on which you will have a chance to learn from specialists in the visual, cinematic and literary arts, and from philosophers deeply interested in the arts.

You will also be able to tailor your study in these fields to your own specific backgrounds, interests and goals. For example, if you wish to focus on Philosophy and Literature you can do so through your choice of options, by selecting modules (and developing a dissertation project) in Philosophy and in English and Comparative Literary Studies. Alternatively, you might choose to study different combinations e.g. to focus on Philosophy and Film, or Philosophy, Literature and History of Art.

The Centre for Research in Philosophy, Literature and the Arts runs a seminar series and hosts a range of events bringing these fields together outside of the classroom. As a student here, you would have access to all of these activities and would be encouraged to participate in them.

Information for international students

If English is not your first language, you must have an IELTS score of 7.0 with no more than two components at 6.5 or 6.0, or other accepted language test.

Fees and funding

There are several funding opportunities available for students applying for this course. These include external awards, wider University awards and departmental scholarships. Details can be found here:

www2.warwick.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/funding

Qualification and course duration

MA