Philosophy

Overview

The Queen’s MA in Philosophy is a pluralist programme that recognises and values diverse philosophical methods, histories, and scholarly approaches, while providing students with a strong grounding in core areas of philosophy. The student experience is that of a generalist MA programme informed by an inclusive approach to disciplinary history and by engagement with twenty-first century issues and debates. Students will explore historical and contemporary debates, solve abstract and concrete problems, and respond to fundamental and applied questions.



Students will learn with internationally recognised leaders in philosophical research. Our staff have strengths in ethics and epistemology, as well as philosophy of science, metaphysics, philosophy of religion, philosophy of technology, political philosophy, and post-Kantian European philosophy. There is growing expertise in comparative and diverse global philosophical traditions. Research-led teaching brings students into the middle of cutting-edge research as active participants, and our dynamic research community offers multiple opportunities for students to pursue meaningful research experiences.



MA in Philosophy students have opportunities to personalise their education, through the Dissertation and the Individually Negotiated Topic module. With guidance from the supervisor, students can choose a topic that interests them for directed critical reading and analysis with a small, focussed group. Students also benefit from a wide range of interdisciplinary opportunities within the School and the Faculty of AHSS, along with the excellent postgraduate experience infrastructure at Queen’s. Students may opt to complete the Queen’s Certificate in Strategic Leadership



Philosophy at QUB is a supportive and highly research active unit—ranked joint first in the UK for Research Intensity (Complete University Guide 2022). Our programme size and location within the interdisciplinary school of HAPP means that our students’ work can receive significant individual attention, that our students can build highly productive working relationships with teaching staff from Philosophy, and that our students may also explore interdisciplinary learning and research opportunities complementing their core philosophical interests.



Course Structure

The MA Philosophy course is a full year (12 month) course delivered primarily through in person seminars that emphasize student discussion and analysis of key texts and issues. Students may currently enrol on a full-time (1 year) basis. Full-time students typically complete three modules in each of the Autumn and Spring semesters. During Autumn, students also identify a potential dissertation project on a topic of particular interest. Students confirm their dissertation supervisor and also undertake further research training to prepare for their dissertation during the Spring semester. In the summer, students focus on writing up their dissertation project, supported primarily by their dissertation supervisor.



The MA is awarded to students who successfully complete six taught modules (120 CATS points) and a 15,000-word research dissertation (60 CATS points).



Exit qualifications are available: students may exit with a Postgraduate Diploma by successfully completing 120 CATS points from taught modules or a Postgraduate Certificate by successfully completing 60 CATS points from taught modules.

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2024/25). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.



Year 1

Core Modules

• Applied Philosophy (20 credits)

• APPROACHES TO RESEARCH DESIGN (20 credits)

• Philosophy Dissertation (60 credits)



Optional Modules

• Individually Negotiated Topic (20 credits)

• Philosophies of Habit and Addiction (20 credits)

• Ethics, Law, and Responsibility (20 credits)

• Geo-power: States, Sovereignty, Territory (20 credits)

• Freedom and modernity (20 credits)

• Knowledge and Ignorance (20 credits)

• Social Injustice (20 credits)

Graduate

Normally a 2.1 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a Social Sciences, Humanities or Arts subject, or a 2.1 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any subject with relevant professional experience.



The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning (RPEL). For more information, please visit http://go.qub.ac.uk/RPLpolicy



International Students

Please see International Student's link below.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 15th August 2025 f for courses which commence in late September.



In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal.



Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

1 year (Full Time).



Teaching Times

Teaching times will fall Monday-Friday, between 9am and 5pm.

Entry Year: 2025/26

Career Prospects

Introduction

We anticipate that the MA programme is a perfect one-year course to prepare students for PhD entry. The applied and engaged philosophy emphasis is attractive to students with interests in social justice and policy careers, as well as those interested in academic and academic-related careers.