Philosophy & Literature

The MA in Philosophy and Literature interdisciplinary course, delves into the intriguing intersections between philosophy and literature. Explore the essence of texts, the worlds they portray, and the intricate relationships between reader, text, author, and reality.



The MA in Philosophy and Literature will be useful for any job requiring a subtle understanding of debate and disagreement, or requiring close attention to texts, especially in the cultural sector. The programme offer graduates from Philosophy or Literature (English and other literatures) the opportunity to study the many areas of overlap between the disciplines. The central questions concern the status of the text, the status of the world represented in the text, and the relationship between the reader, the text, the author, and that world.



-Unique combination of philosophy and literature

-Close attention from dissertation supervisor

-Vibrant academic and social community



Our MA in Philosophy and Literature programme is aimed at students who wish to deepen their knowledge of the core areas of philosophy and literature at graduate level. It is also intended to provide a good foundation of graduate work for students who wish to continue to more advanced graduate research. It aims to provide an integration of literary theory and text-based work with the philosophical implications of the area. The School of Philosophy encourages our students to be critical philosophical thinkers with the ability to reflect on current philosophical debates, history of philosophical thought and add their own contribution. We aim to provide a learning environment that fosters collegiality and a pluralistic approach to the main areas of philosophy and encourages students to engage critically with questions. As the largest teaching and research centre in philosophy in Ireland, the programme benefits from many world-leading figures in philosophy that give invited seminars and conferences throughout the year. Small group seminars and participation in conferences and workshops are a key element of the programme design. As such, the programme uses key approaches to teaching such as philosophical debates, critical reflections, essays and paper presentations.

Stage 1 Core Modules

PHIL40410 Philosophy & Literature Spring 10

PHIL40030 Dissertation Summer 30



Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:

Students should select 2 modules from Philosophy Option Group

PHIL40250 Merleau-Ponty's Phenomenology of Perception Autumn 10

PHIL40970 Topics in Philosophy of Mind and Cognition Autumn 10

PHIL41240 John Henry Newman - Philosophical Perspectives Autumn 10

PHIL41280 Feminist & Gender Theory Autumn 10

PHIL41320 Topics in Continental Philos Autumn 10

PHIL41510 Ethics in Public Life Autumn 10

PHIL41890 Authenticity and Implicit Attitudes Autumn 10

PHIL41950 Philosophy of Religion Autumn 10

PHIL41530 Reading and Research Autumn & Spring & Summer(separate) 10

PHIL40420 The Good Society Spring 10

PHIL40960 The Cultural Mind Spring 10

PHIL41350 Metaphysics (Level 4) Spring 10

PHIL41810 Critique, Destruction & Deconstruction Spring 10

PHIL41880 Reading Nietzsche Spring 10

PHIL41920 Love & Friendship in Early Modern Philosophy Spring 10

PHIL41960 Environmental Ethics Spring 10



Stage 1 Options - B)3 of:

Students should select 3 modules from the Literature Option Group. Students MUST contact the Programme Co-Ordinator before registering for any module especially those offered by the School of English and Drama (ENG). Students who fail to do so will not be allowed to register for that module.



ENG40940 Gender and Sexuality in Theory and Representation Autumn 10

ENG41570 World-Systems,World-Literature Autumn 10

ENG41840 US Experimental Poetry: Docupoetics and Lyric Autumn 10

IRFL40170 The Narrative Art Autumn 10

SPAN40360 Historical Memory in Spain Autumn 10

EDF40060 Digital Methods Spring 10

ENG41640 Joyce, Ulysses Spring 10

ENG41860 Queer Frictions: Gender and Sexuality in Contemporary Literature & Culture Spring 10

ENG42080 Un/Settling Global Literatures Spring 10

GRC40330 Exploring New Worlds Spring 10

HUM40040 Creative Approaches Spring 10

A BA with a 2:1 or above (a GPA of approx. 3·2) in Philosophy

or

A Joint Major BA with a 2:1 in Philosophy and a 2:2 or above in the second subject

A Postgraduate Diploma with a 2:1 or above in Philosophy

However, all applications are assessed on a case by case basis, and so students with a 2:2 in Philosophy should also consider applying.



If the undergraduate degree is in literature, you should have at least two courses in literary theory, each with a grade of at least B- (60%). An overall grade of B- (60%) in your undergraduate degree (to be confirmed by a transcript); two academic letters of reference; a sample of philosophical or literary-theoretical writing, such as an undergraduate essay.



Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/

Apply online



Who Should Apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EU) applicants: Yes



Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants: No

1 Year Full-Time (W179),

2 Years Part-Time (W180).

Delivery: On Campus

W179 MA Philosophy & Literature

Master of Arts Full-Time

Commencing September 2026



W180 MA Philosophy & Literature

Master of Arts Part-Time

Commencing September 2026

Careers & Employability

Graduates of UCD School of Philosophy have continued to have successful academic careers in Ireland, Europe and the US. Others are prominent playwrights, journalists, human-rights activists, broadcasters, film-makers and musicians. A small number of our graduates continue into PhD programmes both at UCD and abroad.