Postgraduate Taught Degrees

MRes Philosophy (Part time)

Duration:: 2 years
Attendance:: Part Time
Award:: Degree of Master of Research
School of Study:: Philosophy

Overview
Why Choose Us
Course Profile
Requirements
Fees and Funding
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The School

The UEA School of Philosophy is a dynamic and friendly department with a highly distinctive research profile – an ideal place in which to be inducted into philosophical research. While actively supporting research in all core areas and periods of philosophy, the School has particular research strengths at various frontiers of the subject: philosophy and the arts (literature, film, music), philosophy and linguistics, environmental philosophy, and metaphilosophy (epistemology and methodology of philosophy) are among its distinctive specialisms. Some of these benefit from the proximity to worldwide leading departments in related areas (including literature and creative writing, and environmental studies). The School is a leading centre for research on Wittgenstein, while its members also work on ancient philosophy, early modern philosophy and Kant, phenomenology, and the history of analytic philosophy. Weekly guest lectures and workshops add to the vibrancy of the School and make it easy for newcomers to blend into the graduate community of about thirty, and be in constant touch with academic staff.

The MRes Programme

The Master of Research is a research training programme designed to prepare students for independent research, either as part of a one-plus-three year route leading to the PhD or to give students a cutting edge on the job market. The programme has an undiluted Oxbridge format, with teaching structured around one-on-one tutorials. Students typically take four supervised study modules consisting of three such tutorials each. Each module involves doing research on individually agreed topics from one area of the subject, under the guidance of a member of academic staff. Results are presented in three essays. After feedback from the supervisor, two essays are revised and submitted for assessment. Students taking two such modules per semester will have fortnightly essay deadlines and tutorials. One or two supervised study modules can be replaced with appropriate taught modules from the menu of PHI MA modules. Alternatively, it is also possible to take language training (e.g. Ancient Greek, or German for philosophical research purposes) in place of one or two of the modules. One-on-one supervisions are complemented by the Philosophy Postgraduate Research Training Workshop, a research skills module for all Masters’ students.

From May to September, students write a dissertation (12-15,000 words) on a topic chosen in consultation with the course director and under the guidance of a supervisor.

Course Organiser:Dr. Eugen Fischer

Why Choose Us The UEA School of Philosophy stands out through its range of distinctive research strengths. These include original, interdisciplinary work at the intersection of philosophy and linguistics, literature, environmental sciences, economics, and cognitive psychology, as well as innovative work in competing philosophical methodologies and in philosophical-historical scholarship (in particular on Wittgenstein, Kant, and ancient philosophy). In research and graduate teaching, the School collaborates in particular with UEA's internationally leading Schools of Literature and Creative Writing, Environmental Sciences, and Economics. The School of Philosophy offers a vigorous and lively research environment that is an integral part of the UEA's vibrant Graduate School of the Humanities. Philosophy's international, collegial graduate community of about 30 Masters and PhD students works on a rich variety of research topics, reflecting the distinctive, partially unique, expertise of our academic staff. The School's high academic standing was recognized in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, where 35% of its contributions were rated world-leading or internationally excellent.

Year 1

Compulsory Study (50 credits)

Students must study the following modules for 50 credits:

Name	Code	Credits
METHODOLOGY AND EPISTEMOLOGY OF PHILOSOPHY	PHI-M019	20
The module provides commencing graduate students with the methodological foundations for independent philosophical research. Through practical exercises complementing theoretical discussion and philosophical case studies, the module examines nature, structure, and genesis of key problems and theories from different areas of philosophy; on this basis, it discusses the scope, strengths, and weaknesses of both well-established and innovative philosophical methodologies as well as key questions about the nature of philosophy. Methods covered include different forms of conceptual and linguistic analysis, ways of explaining and assessing philosophical intuitions, naturalist approaches, and competing hermeneutic approaches to the interpretation of philosophical texts from different periods and traditions. Meta-philosophical questions addressed include: What are the proper aims and purposes of philosophy (theoretical vs. elucidatory vs. therapeutic conceptions)? In what ways is philosophy similar to, and different from various sciences? In what ways can methods and insights from other disciplines (sciences, literature, and the arts) be put to use for philosophical purposes? The module is taught through a weekly lecture and seminar (total 3 hours/week). Topics of the two 3000-word essays are individually agreed. This module is intended primarily for students on the MRes in Philosophy and the MA in Philosophy and Literature. Students on other MA/MSc programmes can participate with the consent of the module organiser, who will expect substantive prior exposure to philosophy (ca. 6 undergraduate modules in philosophy).
PHILOSOPHY POSTGRADUATE WORKSHOP	PHI-M09Y	10
The weekly workshop enables students to present their own work in short presentations and to contribute to discussions on each other's work. There will also be meetings where research methods and tactics are discussed, such as journal publication. Each student must produce a presentation and meaningfully contribute to the meetings in order to pass the module.
SUPERVISED STUDY MODULE THREE	PHI-MA02	20
This module provides for supervised study on the same model as Philosophy Supervised Study unit 1, and is available as the first such module to be taken in the Spring semester of the programme.

Option A Study (20 credits)

Students will select 20 credits from the following modules:

Name	Code	Credits
SUPERVISED STUDY MODULE ONE	PHI-MA01	20
The module is designed to train the student in research techniques in philosophy and to develop advanced knowledge and understanding in some clearly defined area of the discipline which may or may not have been studied before, eg. at BA level. The student is assigned to work with a tutor with research expertise in the chosen area. The topics covered, and the manner in which they are covered, will be tailored to the student's prior experience in the field. Typically, three essay questions, with bibliographical research, will be set for work during the semester.

Disclaimer

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules and regular (five-yearly) review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff or sabbatical leave. Where this is the case, the University will endeavour to inform students.

Entry Requirements

Degree Subject:: Philosophy or a related subject
Degree Classification:: UK BA (Hons) 2.1 or equivalent

Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English. To ensure such students benefit from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English. Our usual entry requirements are as follows:

IELTS: 7.0 (minimum 6.0 listening, 6.0 speaking, 7.0 writing and 6.0 reading)
TOEFL: Internet-based score of 100 (minimum 19 listening, 21 speaking, 22 writing and 20 reading)
PTE (Pearson): 70 (minimum 55 listening, 55 speaking, 70 writing and 55 reading)

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

Other tests such as TOEIC and the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English are also accepted by the university. Please check with the Admissions Office for further details including the scores or grades required.

INTO UEA and INTO UEA London run pre-sessional courses which can be taken prior to the start of your course. For further information and to see if you qualify please contact intopre-sessional@uea.ac.uk (INTO UEA Norwich) or pseuealondon@into.uk.com (INTO UEA London).

Intakes

The School's annual intake is in September of each year.

Alternative Qualifications

If you have alternative qualifications that have not been mentioned above then please contact university directly for further information.

Assessment

All applications for postgraduate study are processed through the Faculty Admissions Office and then forwarded to the relevant School of Study for consideration. If you are currently completing your first degree or have not yet taken a required English language test, any offer of a place will be conditional upon you achieving this before you arrive.

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees

Tuition fees for Postgraduate students for the academic year 2013/14 are £5,000 for Home/EU students and £12,500 for International Students.

If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home/EU students).

Please note that all the above fees are expected to rise for the year 2014/15. We estimate living expenses at £600/650 per month.

Scholarships and Awards:

The Faculty of Arts and Humanities has a number of Scholarships and Awards. For further information relevant to the School of Philosophy, please click here.

Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.

You can apply online, or by downloading the application form.

Further Information

To request further information & to be kept up to date with news & events please use our online enquiry form.

If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying please do contact us:

Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk

International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.