University College Cork

Philosophy

Course Outline

This course offers you a rare chance to study Western as well as Eastern philosophy at postgraduate level. For one year, you will be involved in the study of different philosophical concepts, theories and approaches to issues concerning the mind and consciousness, action and politics, ethics and aesthetics, society and culture, globalism, power, territory and many more.

As an MA student, you will have the chance during the spring and summer months to put this to work in a sustained piece of independent research.

You can take any five modules of your choice. The modules are specifically designed to provide an overview of current work in a particular area and are aimed at first-year postgraduate students. They each involve set readings and writing assignments. It is expected that you will already be (broadly) familiar with some key philosophical concepts or approaches on starting this course. If you feel that you have some holes to fill, you can ask your lecturer to suggest some introductory readings.

Why Choose This Course

We are the only department in Ireland (and one of the only departments in Europe) offering you the opportunity to study in three distinct philosophical traditions: Asian philosophy, Continental philosophy and analytic philosophy. Our extensive course allows you to acquire a unique comparative philosophical education. Members of our teaching staff have a distinctive international profile, coming from Ireland, the UK, Germany, Italy and the USA. Webring multiple perspectives to bear on our shared philosophical concerns, and we create a diverse and energetic environment within which to conduct philosophical research.

Entry requirements

In order to be admitted to the MA programme in Philosophy, a candidate should have at least a Second Class honours, Grade 1, Primary degree (or equivalent) in Philosophy or cognate discipline. Successful applicants must demonstrate relevant skills in writing and critical thinking (by receiving indicative marks on previous assessments, for example).

It is possible for candidates who have a primary degree but do not fully qualify for entry into the programme to undertake a Masters Qualifying Examination or a Higher Diploma in Arts. This qualification will enable prospective students to apply for this MA programme, though it will not grant automatic acceptance to it.

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 candidates who are uncertain whether they qualify 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 applications process for this programme.

If you are applying with Qualifications obtained outside Ireland and you wish to verify if you meet the minimum academic and English language requirements for this programme please click here to view the grades comparison table by country and for details of recognised English language tests.

English Language Requirements

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

For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements, please find our grades comparison by country here.

International/non-EU applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure please 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.

Not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above.

For more information please contact the International Office.

Duration

1 year (12 months) full-time, 2 year (24 months) part-time

This is a one year, full-time or two year, part-time taught course. In your modules, you will study and discuss philosophy, improve your writing skills and acquire familiarity with relevant concepts and authors so that later you will be able to undertake your dissertation with confidence.

During the two teaching periods (September to March), you will take five taught modules (10 credits each). During the second teaching period (January to March), you will write the literature review (10 credits). After the teaching periods from April to September, you will write a minor dissertation of up to 15,000 words (30 credits).

Careers or further progression

Skills and Careers Information

Throughout the course, we stress that philosophy is not just something that you learn about, but rather, it is also something that you do. To this end, we offer a number of courses that will enable you to develop philosophical skills of your own, and we aim to foster the skills of analysis, creativity and discovery.

You will learn 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 that we aim to foster, and so a degree in philosophy can be the starting point for many different career paths.

Further enquiries

Colette Connolly

c.connolly@ucc.ie

+353-(0)21 490 2588

http://www.ucc.ie/en/philosophy/

Dr. Alessandro Salice

alessandro.salice@ucc.ie

+353 21 490 3871

Assessment method

Modules are assessed by written essays and there are no final exams. During the second teaching period (January-March), you will prepare a detailed review of relevant literature under the direction of a staff member. The literature review is written in preparation for your minor dissertation. The grade for the MA is based on assessment for modules, literature review and minor dissertation, with a total of 1,800 marks awarded. Each taught module counts for 200 marks (1,000 in total), the literature review also counts for 200 marks, and the minor dissertation for 600 marks. Taught modules are assessed by written work totalling 5,000 words, which may take the form of more than one piece of work.

Application date

Applications for academic year 2020/2021 are open.

EU Applicants: UCC operates a rounds closing date system for the majority of postgraduate taught courses, which means offers are made four times a year on a rolling basis. Some courses have one specific closing date, please check your course prospectus page for this information.

The UCC rounds closing dates for postgraduate taught courses are below. Applicants are advised to apply as soon as possible.

Deadline for receipt of full applications:

For all completed applications received by January 10th 2020

Offers will be made by January 24th 2020

For all completed applications received by March 2nd 2020

Offers will be made by March 16th 2020

For all completed applications received by May 1st 2020

Offers will be made by May 15th 2020

For all completed applications received by July 1st 2020

Offer will be made by July 15th 2020

Late applications may be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis for any courses that have remaining capacity.

Non-EU Closing Date: 15 June

Non-EU Applicants: Information for Non-EU applicants may be found on the International Office Website https://www.ucc.ie/en/international/