Philosophy

Course Outline

On this one-year course you will study different philosophical concepts concerning the mind and consciousness, action and politics, ethics and aesthetics, society and culture, globalism, power, territory, and more. The course offers you a rare chance to study Western as well as Eastern philosophy at postgraduate level.

You will take six modules of your choice. The modules are designed to give you an overview of up-to-date thinking in the area.



In your modules you will study and discuss philosophy and acquire familiarity with relevant concepts and authors. The course will develop your knowledge about the history of philosophy and ideas and help you to improve your skills in writing, critical reading, and in understanding and summarising arguments.

In order to be admitted to the Postgraduate Diploma programme in Philosophy, an applicant should normally have at least a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or equivalent. Graduates with a Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) will be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) on a case-by-case basis. Successful applicants must demonstrate evidence of (1) having taken undergraduate or postgraduate modules in philosophy, or courses with philosophical relevance in social theory, social science, cultural theory, politics, psychology, literature or other cognate discipline; and (2) relevant skills in writing and critical thinking (by receiving indicative marks on previous assessments, for example).



If a significant amount of time has passed since the candidate received their undergraduate degree, it may be possible to appeal for entrance based on work or other degree experience. These cases will be considered carefully by the Graduate Studies Committee on a case-by-case basis.



It is recommended that applicants who are uncertain whether they qualify to consult with the department in advance of submitting an application. All applicants are subject to the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee in Philosophy.



Applicants will be required to answer specific supplementary questions as part of the online application process for this programme.

For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.



International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

• In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

• Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.



English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements.

Closing Date

Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.



Non-EU Closing Date

Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

Assessment


The grade is based on the assessment for modules. Modules are assessed by written essays. There are no final exams.

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Start Date 8 September 2025

Skills and Careers Information

This course will help you develop the following skills:

Critical thinking

Professional writing

Construction and evaluation of arguments

Communication skills

Information management

Design and planning

Research and investigation



Employers in diverse fields value the skills of analysis, creativity and discovery. A Postgraduate Diploma in Philosophy can be the starting point for many different career paths.