“  Pursuing the PhD in philosophy at UEA has been an enjoyable and intellectually rewarding experience. The faculty is immensely supportive, delivering high quality supervision for postgraduates, whilst also working hard to encourage and facilitate other student-led activities. The environment in the department is a particularly friendly one in which graduate students are regularly invited to share and challenge each other’s ideas in a frank and cooperative manner. I am proud to see our graduate community growing bigger and stronger every year. ”

Tamara Dobler, PhD

Research Degrees

The MPhil (2 years full-time or 4 years part-time) and PhD (3 years full-time or 6 years part-time) are supervised research degrees. Work on your thesis starts from day 1, supervised by a team of at least 2 faculty members. Training in research methods and career development is provided, including a weekly postgraduate workshop where students present their own work and discuss it with their peers. Careful milestones are set to monitor students’ progress throughout the year.

Our lively international graduate community provides a stimulating intellectual environment for PhD work. The postgraduate community is fostered by regular conferences, a variety of reading groups and workshops as well as a guest speaker programme which attracts world-famous philosophers and up-and-coming researchers alike.

The School runs an innovative 1-year Masters of Research with its intensive 1-on-1 tutorial format, and the MA in Philosophy and Literature, offered in collaboration with the renowned School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing as well as the new MA/MSc in Environmental Sciences and Humanities. These Masters courses offer an ideal path into postgraduate research.

Entry Requirements

Candidates should have completed (or be expecting to complete) a taught Masters degree that includes a research-training element, or a Masters degree by research, in Philosophy (our Masters by Research is particularly suitable). They should normally be expecting to graduate from the Masters with a distinction (or with distinction in the dissertation element). Applicants are admitted for the MPhil in the first instance, and will be upgraded to candidature for the PhD providing they show sufficient promise by the end of their first year of research.

Besides prior qualifications, applicants will be assessed on the interest and suitability of their research proposal.

Research and Supervision

We supervise a wide range of postgraduate research projects. More information about our research areas can be found on the School’s research pages as well as on the School’s Academia.edu page. We also welcome interdisciplinary research proposals.

Facilities

The School is housed in the Arts block, part of Sir Denys Lasdun's original design for this spectacular 320 acre campus. It is close to all the central University facilities and to the Sportspark. There is a brand new, well-equipped graduate centre, open to all graduate students in the Arts and Humanities Faculty, where dedicated desks and social facilities are available. The newly extended University Library has an excellent collection of philosophy books and journals built up over many years, and provides state of the art IT facilities, giving access to a range of on-line resources.

Enquiries and how to apply

The School welcomes research enquiries from prospective students. Please contact individual academics or Dr Angela Breitenbach, the School’s Postgraduate Research Director, to discuss your proposal.

How to apply
Studentships

For admissions enquiries and general information contact the PGR Office:
Tel.: +44 (0)1603 591709; pgr.enquiries.admiss@uea.ac.uk