The MA in Philosophy is a full-time programme running over 12 months from the date of first registration for the programme, or part-time running over 24 months from the date of first registration.

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.

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Part I
In Part I students take modules to the value of 50 credits and prepare a Literature Review to the value of 10 credits, under the supervision of a member of staff.
PH6019 Literature Review (10 credits)
plus
50 credits from the following:
PH6012 Human Rights 1 (10 credits)
PH6016 Territorial Rights (10 credits)
PH6047 Philosophy and Health (10 credits)
PH6048 The Philosophy of Death and Dying (10 credits)
PH6052 Advanced Moral Psychology (10 credits)
PH6053 Professional Ethics: Advanced (10 credits)
PH6054 Measuring Society: Growth, Poverty, Inequality, and Human Capital (10 credits)
PH6056 Advanced Political Philosophy (10 credits)
PH6057 Philosophy and the Biological Health Sciences (10 credits)
PH6060 Japanese Philosophy - Advanced (10 credits)

Part II
In Part II students complete a dissertation (maximum 15,000 words) to the value of 30 credits which must be submitted for examination at the Winter Examination Board.

PH6020 Dissertation in Philosophy (30 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2020/2021 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2020/2021.

Postgraduate Certificate in Philosophy
Students who pass taught modules to the value of at least 30 credits (but less than 60 credits) may opt to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Certificate in Philosophy.

Postgraduate Diploma in Philosophy
Students who pass taught modules to the value of at least 60 credits may opt to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Philosophy.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Certificate in Philosophy (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate some familiarity with the most important philosophical concepts and approaches;
• Recognise a range of philosophical models and ideas;
• Apply philosophical concepts and questions to a wide range of problems or situations;
• Write short critical essays to a professional standard;
• Interact and communicate with other students in an inter-disciplinary setting.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Philosophy (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Generate and organise a coherent conceptual framework that enables effective participation in current philosophical debates;
• Identify philosophical problems in historical, social and cultural contexts;
• Apply critical thought and analytical skills to a range of philosophical questions;
• Identify philosophical questions and problems;
• Explain a range of philosophical methods;
• Critically assess philosophical positions;
• Analyse and critique a range of problems or situations by means of different philosophical methods;
• Argue and defend positions in short critical essays and in in-class debate in an interdisciplinary setting to a professional standard.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MA in Philosophy (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Generate and organise a coherent conceptual framework that enables effective participation in current philosophical debates;
• Identify philosophical problems in historical, social and cultural contexts;
• Apply critical thought and analytical skills to a range of philosophical questions;
• Organise and pursue an independent research project;
• Prepare and deliver oral presentations to a professional standard;
• Write theses and reports to a professional standard, equivalent in presentational quality to that of publishable papers.