Philosophy - Research

The programme will provide the students with a professional training in academic research in Philosophy, and thus enables them to contribute to national and international scholarship and to interdisciplinary co-operation. The department aims to provide students with the opportunity to work independently under the supervision of members of staff who will provide detailed feedback and advice on the achieved works. The Department of Philosophy wishes to provide a high quality research experience and output, with integrated taught support for all students enrolled on the structured PhD programme. As part of this process, students on this programme will have acquired the philosophical methods that enable them to pursue studies and research independently according to their personal interests in the field. They will also be able to engage at an appropriate level with other professional scholars.



Under the structured research programmes offered at Maynooth University, students will undertake professional, subject specific and transferable skills modules to support the development of their research.



MLitt students must take a minimum of 10 credits in taught modules (at least 5 in generic/transferable modules and at least 5 in subject specific/advanced specialist modules) from the ztructured PhD programme.

Candidates for research degrees will normally be expected to have a Second Class Honours Grade 1 primary degree in Philosophy, or a Second Class Honours MA degree with some qualification in philosophy. Language Requirements:

Research students are expected to have some knowledge of the language of the author or authors, whose work they intend to research. Applicants must have a recognised primary degree which is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree level.



Minimum English language requirements:

Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and International applicants..



Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850

Applications are open for the 2025/6 academic year. Visit our online application portal to start your application.

We are here to support you throughout the admissions process.



For queries on your postgraduate course options please contact pgstudies@mu.ie

For queries or support on your application process please contact pgadmissions@mu.ie



If you are an international (Non-EU) applicant please contact internationaladmissions@mu.ie

2 years Full-time, 3 years Part-time

Commences September (or other agreed time)

Philosophy is not a qualification to do a particular job; rather it is a valuable component of general education. The expertise gained in Philosophy is of great value in many different careers. Philosophy is a good preparation for an academic career and for careers in journalism, law, radio, television and the media in general, and politics. Increasingly, philosophy graduates are being hired by large corporations, e.g. in roles such as management consultancy, as people who can approach problems from a new perspective. Philosophy graduates are valued for their quick intelligence, their ability to reason clearly and independently and their ability to take an overview on the problem or situation confronting them.