Internationally regarded as a centre of excellence in teaching and research, Warwick’s Philosophy Department has 21 members of staff and the largest graduate school in the UK outside Oxford. With research and publication on almost every front, it has particular strengths in philosophy of mind and language, continental philosophy, metaphysics and epistemology, and social and political philosophy. It houses an interdisciplinary Consciousness and Self Consciousness Research Centre and its Centre for Philosophy, Literature and the Arts is a focus for distinguished visiting scholars from around the world. The Department hosts graduate conferences in philosophy of mind and philosophy of literature, and a graduate exchange with Columbia University, NY.

The Department provides carefully designed induction programmes for MA and MPhil students, and for students in the first year of research, along with specialist language courses in French, German and Ancient Greek.

The Leiter Report lists Warwick Philosophy in the top groupings in six areas: epistemology; philosophy of art; philosophy of mind; political philosophy; 19th century continental philosophy; 20th century continental philosophy. In each area, Warwick is one of the top 3 UK departments for that specialism. Overall, Warwick Philosophy ranks 9th in the UK and in the top 50 internationally.

Research Groups

Mind, Language, Metaphysics, Epistemology

Researchers in this area contribute to the Consciousness and Self Consciousness Research Centre. The Centre runs interdisciplinary (with psychology) projects and seminars. It also runs a weekly graduate research seminar, and an annual MindGrad graduate conference. Recent AHRC research projects: Consciousness and Self Consciousness; Causal Understanding; See the Centre’s website for details:

• Consciousness and Self Consciousness Research Centre

Post Kantian European Philosophy

This group specialises in 19th and 20th century Continental Philosophy, including Hegel, Nietzche, Heidegger and Deleuze. It is currently host to a Leverhulme-funded research project European Network in Contemporary French Philosophy.

• Post Kantian European Philosophy Group
  

Philosophy and Literature, Aesthetics

Researchers in this area contribute to the Centre for Research in Philosophy, Literature and the Arts. Researchers here collaborate with a large number of other Humanities departments, promoting philosophical and interdisciplinary research in the arts.

• Centre for Research in Philosophy, Literature and the Arts

Social and Political Philosophy

Researchers in this area collaborate with members of the Politics and Economics departments in the running of the Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) undergraduate programme, and in holding weekly seminars and an annual graduate conference.

• Social and Political Philosophy Group

Research Degrees

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Standard Duration: 2-3 years

The PhD in Philosophy is an opportunity for outstanding students to pursue original research, culminating in a thesis of approximately 70,000 words. PhD students have individual supervision by an expert in the field of their thesis. The PhD normally forms the second part of a 1 + 3 or 2 + 2 programme.

There are three routes into the PhD:

• MA in Philosophy (from Warwick or another university)
• 2+2 MPhil/PhD programme (or 2-year MPhil in Philosophy from another university)

• More information on the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Taught Master’s Degrees

MPhil of Philosophy(Taught Research)

Duration: 2 years
Places available: 6-8

This intellectually demanding taught research degree is designed to constitute the first two years of a 2+2 PhD programme. You will receive supervision in three main areas of the discipline with the aim of pursuing advanced research topics in these areas. On completion, you will have sufficient depth in these areas to be qualified to teach them at University level. In addition you will prepare a research thesis of approximately 30,000 words. If accepted onto the PhD programme, you will then develop your research over the following two years into a thesis of doctoral length and standard. This course is aimed primarily at those considering a career in academic philosophy.

• More information on the Master of Philosophy MPhil

MA in Philosophy

Duration: Full-time: 1 year Part-time: 2 years

*NB: At the time of going to print, this course was subject to final University approval.

This new Master’s degree in Philosophy is aimed at students wishing to study Philosophy at advanced level. A wide selection of modules is available across the whole range of the subject, with no restrictions on selection of options. Up to two Honours level undergraduate modules may be taken at MA level, and some modules from other departments are also available. You will normally take six modules and write a 5,000 word essay for each one, plus a dissertation of 10,000 words. Students with a good pass in the MA in Philosophy are eligible to apply for a place on the 3-year PhD programme in Philosophy at Warwick or for places on PhD programmes at other universities in the UK and abroad. Likely employment destinations include lecturing in philosophy, policy research, politics, law, finance, media, journalism, and teaching.

MA in Continental Philosophy

Standard Duration: Full-time: 1 year Part-time: 2 years

This MA allows you to study in depth the work of philosophers in the tradition of Kantian and Post- Kantian European Philosophy, including Kant himself, Hegel, Nietzsche, Husserl, Heidegger, Deleuze, Foucault and Levinas.

Seminars usually involve close study of the relevant texts in English translation, but you are also encouraged to read the texts in the original languages. Language classes in French and German are provided free of charge to interested students. You will normally take six modules and write a 5,000 word essay for each one. In addition, you will write a dissertation of 10,000 words. Students with a good pass in the MA are eligible to apply for a place on the PhD programme in Philosophy at Warwick, as well as other universities in the UK and overseas. Recent employment destinations include teaching, disability support, political editing, retail management and publishing research.

• More information on the MA in Continental Philosophy

MA Philosophy and Literature

Standard Duration: Full-time: 1 year Part-time: 2 years
Places available: 15

This degree enables you to study the interactions of philosophy and literature. Modules allow you to reflect on questions concerning knowledge, imagination, narrative, self, aesthetic value and judgement, and the ethical and political role of literature. The course draws on Warwick’s interdisciplinary strength in philosophy and literature and on the activities of the Centre for Research in Philosophy, Literature and the Arts. You will normally take six modules and write a 5,000 word essay for each one, plus a dissertation of 10,000 words. Recent employment destinations include editing, teaching, writing/script-writing, publishing, PhD research.

• More information on the MA Philosophy and Literature

Diploma in Philosophy

Duration: Full-time: 1 year Part-time: 2 years
Places available: 10

The Diploma is mainly aimed at students whose first degree is not in Philosophy, or who need a ‘refresher’ course after a study break. A good pass can qualify you for entry to the MA courses. Students take four 30 CATS undergraduate modules (or eight 15 CATS modules), with individual supervision. Modules include History of Modern Philosophy and other options are chosen in consultation with the Course Director. The Diploma is examined by two 3,000-word essays, or one 6,000-word essay, for each 30 CATS module, and by one 3,000-word essay for each 15 CATS module.

• More information on the Diploma in Philosophy

Download prospectus entry

Prospectus Entry

Related Links:

Philosophy Department Homepage

Postgraduate Research Study in Philosophy

Fees and Funding:

Postgraduate Fees

Funding your study

“The Philosophy Department is full of internationally recognised academics working at the cutting-edge of their various fields. The Department is unusual in the breadth of its research interests and we encourage and foster creativity, scholarship, and argumentative rigour. As a postgraduate student you’ll form an essential part of our thriving research community, participating fully in the philosophical life of the Department. The research training that we provide, along with our reputation for excellence, opens up a wide range of career opportunities, including academic Philosophy.”

Guy Longworth / Associate Professor of Philosophy