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Philosophy

MA, MRes, PG Cert, PG Dip

Application options include:

Full-time Part-time
On campus

Course Overview

MA Philosophy

Our MA offers you postgraduate teaching in central aspects of Western philosophy in the broadly analytic tradition. The curriculum is research-led, with specialist modules taught by leading figures in their fields, and with a consistent focus on the fostering of intellectual curiosity and the development of independent thinking. This uniquely flexible course allows you to follow your own philosophical interests and provides a sound platform for those wishing to proceed to more advanced research work in philosophy.

The MA Philosophy is open to those with a first degree in philosophy wishing to progress to more advanced levels of study and also to those without undergraduate training in philosophy. If you did not study philosophy as an undergraduate, you take a special route through the course.

MRes Philosophy

Our MRes offers research-based training in philosophy at post-Master's level and serves as a foundation for starting an individual PhD project. This course gives you the opportunity to interact with renowned philosophers covering broad areas of the discipline and to undertake your own research in an internationally excellent, research-intensive team. This MRes is ideal for self-motivated, committed students who already have a good philosophy qualification and wish to progress to pure research in some area of the subject.

The course will give you a firm philosophical grounding and mastery of complex, specialised areas of philosophical study, enabling you to engage critically and reflectively with current philosophical debates. You will also be equipped with the essential research skills you need to proceed to PhD research. You will complete a substantial supervised research project in a shorter time than that required for a PhD.

Postgraduate Diploma in Philosophy

Our Postgraduate Diploma is ideal if you want to develop your philosophical interests without undertaking a full Master's course. On this course, you will take all of the same taught elements as you would for our MA Philosophy, but you are not required to undertake an independent research project (dissertation). You can decide to progress to the MA Philosophy at any point during the Postgraduate Diploma.

Postgraduate Certificate in Philosophy

Our Postgraduate Certificate is ideal if you want to develop a grounding in philosophy, but are not yet ready to commit to an MA. It is very well suited to people with busy schedules. You will have the option of transferring onto the MA Philosophy, if you choose to do so, before the end of the year.

Discover the career opportunities available by taking Philosophy (MA, MRes, PG Cert, PG Dip).

Key information and modules

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Highlights

  • Birkbeck is a leading centre for philosophical research in the UK. All of our established members of academic staff are active researchers, and our excellence in both teaching and research is consistently reflected in UK and international surveys.
  • As a philosophy student, you will be part of the thriving philosophical community in the University of London and eligible to attend the extensive range of seminars and conferences put on by the Institute of Philosophy.
  • We have a specialist philosophy library at 30 Russell Square. The main philosophy collection is held in the Birkbeck Library, which has an extensive range of books and online resources. 
  • Our uniquely flexible MA may be studied in the evening or in the day, over one or two years, and with or without prior philosophical study.
  • If you are taking the MRes part time, you may be eligible for a Bonnart Trust Master’s Studentship which will cover the cost of your tuition fees.
Come and meet us Request a prospectus Contact us

Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the Key Information section under Attendance.

  • Entry Requirements Entry Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    MA, PG Dip, PG Cert: At least a second-class honours degree (2:2), or equivalent, not necessarily in philosophy.

    MRes: At least a high upper second-class honours degree (2:1) in philosophy or equivalent, or an MA in philosophy at Merit level or above, and a sample of written work prior to interview, in addition to a research proposal of up to 1000 words.

    Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

    On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

    Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

    International students: if you need a Student visa to study in the UK, you must meet certain minimum in-person attendance requirements. You will be required to primarily study on campus and so will only be able to apply for the on-campus study mode.

    English language requirements

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

    Visa and funding requirements

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol as a student on Birkbeck's part-time courses (with the exception of some modules).

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

    Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university, you may have accumulated credits through the modules you studied. It may be possible to transfer these credits from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

  • Fees Fees

    Fees

    Philosophy MA: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2025-26

    Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

    Part-time home students: £5,850 per year
    Full-time home students: £11,700 per year
    Part-time international students: £10,845 per year
    Full-time international students: £21,690 per year

    Philosophy MRes: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2025-26

    Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

    Part-time home students: £5,850 per year
    Full-time home students: £11,700 per year
    Part-time international students: £10,845 per year
    Full-time international students: £21,690 per year

    Philosophy PG Cert: 1 year part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2025-26

    Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

    Part-time home students: £3,690 per year
    Part-time international students: £6,780 per year

    Philosophy PG Dip: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2025-26

    Academic year 2025–26, starting October 2025

    Part-time home students: £3,690 per year
    Full-time home students: £7,380 per year
    Part-time international students: £6,780 per year
    Full-time international students: £13,560 per year

    Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the College Fees Policy.

    If you’ve studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a discount on the tuition fee of this course.

    Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

    International scholarships

    We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. Discover if you are eligible for a scholarship.

  • Teaching and Assessment Teaching and Assessment

    Teaching

    At Birkbeck, most of our courses are taught in the evening and all of our teaching is designed to support students who are juggling evening study with work and other commitments. We actively encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching, to ensure our students have the best learning experience.

    Teaching may include formal lectures, seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. Formal lectures are used in most degree programmes to give an overview of a particular field of study. They aim to provide the stimulus and the starting point for deeper exploration of the subject during your own personal reading. Seminars give you the chance to explore a specific aspect of your subject in depth and to discuss and exchange ideas with fellow students. They typically require preparatory study.

    In addition, you will have access to pastoral support via a named Personal Tutor.

    Methods of teaching on this course

    • MA: Lectures, seminars, individual tutorials, class discussions and student presentations.
    • PG Dip and PG Cert: Lectures, seminars, class discussions and student presentations.
    • MRes: Seminars and one-to-one tutorials.

    Key teaching staff on this course

    Staff who may teach on this course include:

    Teaching hours

    Our evening hours are normally between 6pm and 9pm (6-7.30pm and 7.30-9pm). Some programmes also offer teaching during the day and this will be clearly signposted to you where it is available.

    On our taught courses, you will have scheduled teaching and study sessions each year. Scheduled teaching sessions may include lectures, seminars, workshops or laboratory work. Depending on the modules you take, you may also have additional scheduled academic activities, such as tutorials, dissertation supervision, practical classes, visits and field trips. On our taught courses, the actual amount of time you spend in the classroom and in contact with your lecturers will depend on your course, the option modules you select and when you undertake your final-year project (if applicable).

    Alongside your contact hours, you will also undertake assessment activities and independent learning outside of class. The amount of time you need to allocate to study both for taught sessions (this might include online sessions and/or in-person sessions) and personal study will depend on how much you are studying during the year and whether you are studying full time or part time.

    Birkbeck’s courses are made up of modules and allocated ‘credit’. One credit is equivalent to ten hours of learning time. Modules are usually in 15, 30 or 60 credit units. A 15-credit module will mean around 150 hours of learning, including taught sessions and independent study or group work. This is spread out over the whole period of that module and includes the time you spend on any assessments, including in examinations, preparing and writing assessments or engaged in practical work as well as any study support sessions to help you in your learning.

    On our distance-learning and blended-learning courses, discussion, collaboration and interaction with your lecturers and fellow students is encouraged and enabled through various learning technologies.

    Timetables

    Timetables are usually available from September onwards and you can access your personalised timetable via your My Birkbeck Profile online (if you have been invited to enrol).

    Indicative class size

    Class sizes vary, depending on your course, the module you are undertaking, and the method of teaching. For example, lectures are presented to larger groups, whereas seminars usually consist of small, interactive groups led by a tutor.

    Independent learning

    On our taught courses, much of your time outside of class will be spent on self-directed, independent learning, including preparing for classes and following up afterwards. This will usually include, but is not limited to, reading books and journal articles, undertaking research, working on coursework and assignments, and preparing for presentations and assessments.

    Independent learning is absolutely vital to your success as a student. Everyone is different, and the study time required varies topic by topic, but, as a guide, expect to schedule up to five hours of self-study for each hour of teaching.

    Study skills and additional support

    Birkbeck offers study and learning support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed. Our Learning Development Service can help you in the following areas:

    • academic skills (including planning your workload, research, writing, exam preparation and writing a dissertation)
    • written English (including structure, punctuation and grammar)
    • numerical skills (basic mathematics and statistics).

    Our Disability and Dyslexia Service can support you if you have additional learning needs resulting from a disability or from dyslexia.

    Our Counselling Service can support you if you are struggling with emotional or psychological difficulties during your studies.

    Our Mental Health Advisory Service can support you if you are experiencing short- or long-term mental health difficulties during your studies.

    Assessment

    Assessment is an integral part of your university studies and usually consists of a combination of coursework and examinations, although this will vary from course to course - on some of our courses, assessment is entirely by coursework. The methods of assessment on this course are specified below under 'Methods of assessment on this course'. You will need to allow time to complete coursework and prepare for exams.

    Where a course has unseen written examinations, these may be held termly, but, on the majority of our courses, exams are usually taken in the Summer term, during May to June. Exams may be held at other times of the year as well. In most cases, exams are held during the day on a weekday - if you have daytime commitments, you will need to make arrangements for daytime attendance - but some exams are held in the evening. Exam timetables are published online.

    Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.

    Methods of assessment on this course

    Assessment varies depending on the modules taken but includes essays and take-home examinations. It can also include seminar participation and presentation.

  • Careers and employability Careers and employability

    Careers and employability

    Graduates can pursue career paths in management, politics, recruitment and journalism. Possible professions include:

    • further/higher education lecturer
    • secondary school teacher
    • Civil Service fast-streamer
    • local government officer
    • marketing executive
    • recruitment consultant.

    We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

  • How to apply How to apply

    How to apply

    You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

    You will need to prove your identity when you apply - read more about suitable forms of identification.

    When to apply

    You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places on your chosen course and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

    You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

    You will also receive information about subject-specific induction sessions over the summer.

    Help and advice with your application

    Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.

    Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.

    Apply for your course

    Apply for your course using the apply now button in the key information section.

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Related courses

Course structure

Course structure listing

Course structure and modules for Philosophy MA: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2025

The MA Philosophy has two routes:

  • The non-conversion route is for students who have a first degree in philosophy and wish to progress to more advanced levels of study.
  • The conversion route is for those without undergraduate training in philosophy who want to develop their intellectual curiosity, independent thinking and capacity to engage critically with significant ideas.

In both routes you must complete modules worth a total of 180 credits.

Non-conversion route

  • Four option modules (30 credits each)
  • A 10,000-12,000-word dissertation (60 credits)

Conversion route

  • One compulsory module (30 credits)
  • Three option modules (30 credits each)*
  • A 10,000-12,000-word dissertation (60 credits)
Compulsory module
Indicative option modules
MA Philosophy dissertation

Course structure and modules for Philosophy MRes: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2025

You must complete modules worth a total of 180 credits, consisting of:

  • two core modules (30 credits each)
  • a 15,000-20,000-word dissertation (120 credits).
Core modules
MRes Philosophy dissertation

Course structure and modules for Philosophy PG Cert: 1 year part-time, on campus, starting October 2025

If you have already studied philosophy at undergraduate level, you must complete:

  • two option modules (30 credits each).

If you haven't studied philosophy at undergraduate level, you can choose to take the 'conversion' route:

  • one compulsory module (30 credits)
  • one option module (30 credits)

The compulsory module covers four core areas of philosophy: metaphysics, epistemology, ethics and political philosophy. It meets two evenings a week. 

Conversion route compulsory module
Indicative option modules

Course structure and modules for Philosophy PG Dip: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2025

The Postgraduate Diploma in Philosophy has two routes:

  • The non-conversion route is for students who have a first degree in philosophy and wish to progress to more advanced levels of study.
  • The conversion route is for those without undergraduate training in philosophy who want to develop their intellectual curiosity, independent thinking and capacity to engage critically with significant ideas.

In both routes you must complete modules worth a total of 120 credits.

Non-conversion route

  • Four option modules (30 credits each)

Conversion route

  • One compulsory module (30 credits)
  • Three option modules (30 credits each)
Compulsory module
Indicative option modules

Note that the above list is intended only as a guide. For the most up-to-date information on our option modules, please contact us.