Philosophy

The Diploma and the Higher Diploma in Philosophy are part-time postgraduate programmes in philosophy. They provide students who already possess a third-level qualification with a qualification in philosophy. The courses are open to any student who satisfies the entry requirement: a third-level qualification in any subject or combination.

For the Diploma, the programme of study will extend over one year; its modules are drawn from the first and second years of the BA Philosophy programme.

For the Higher Diploma, the programme of study will extend over a two-year period; as for the Diploma, its first-year modules are drawn from the first and second years of the BA Philosophy programme. Higher Diploma students will be required to achieve a pass on the first year's courses before being admitted to the second year. The modules for the second year of the Higher Diploma are drawn from the third year of the BA Philosophy programme . Moreover, Higher Diploma students will be required to write a 5000-word dissertation. The topic of the dissertation will be chosen by the student from any area of philosophy and must be approved by the BA dissertation co-ordinator.

The programme requires 40 credits each year (40 credits in total for the Diploma; 80 credits for the Higher Diploma). Students are allowed to complement their Maynooth University modules with modules offered by the Philosophy Department at St. Patrick's College, for up to 10 credits each year.

The Diploma is a one-year part time programme with the Higher Diploma being a two-year part time programme.

A third-level qualification in any subject or combination. Applicants must have a recognised primary degree equivalent to Irish university primary degree level.

Minimum English-language requirements:

IELTS: 6.5 minimum overall score
TOEFL (paper-based test): 585
TOEFL (Internet-based test): 95
PTE (Pearson): 62

Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850.

All applications should be made through the PAC system.

Closing Date : 30 June 2021

2 years Part-time

In general, there are two levels of fees payable. EU students from EU countries including Ireland pay a subsidised level of fees for both taught courses and research programmes. Tuition fees for students from outside the EU are not subsidised and are thus somewhat higher than for EU students.

The Diploma and Higher Diploma in Philosophy are suitable for those who, already holding a degree in another field, wish to pursue university-level studies in the subject short of a full BA. The Higher Diploma is often chosen by students from religious orders whose education requires a strong philosophy component.