MRes Philosophy
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Research
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2024
Course Overview
UEA’s Philosophy MRes is ideal for students who want to explore philosophical questions in more depth at a postgraduate level. The flexible course structure allows you to tailor the course to your interests and needs. Whether you’re aiming for a philosophy PhD and a career in academia, research and teaching, or you simply want to continue your studies beyond undergraduate level, this course will take your philosophical interests and ambitions to the next level.
Our MRes gives you the skills you need to undertake your own research in philosophy. Is there a debate to which you would like to contribute? A question for which the answer can make a difference? We can help you hone those research skills that you need to grow your interests and bloom into a truly independent thinker. You’ll work closely with your academic supervisors to develop your own ideas and research methods. UEA philosophers have published widely and have shaped the development of many areas of philosophy and their work is acknowledged across the world. With their guidance, our research-driven programme, and a varied schedule of workshops and events, there is no better place to follow your passions and expand your mind.
You can take this Philosophy postgraduate course by itself, or as the first year of a 1+3 programme if you’re applying for the PhD.
There is also the option to pursue a pathway in literature and philosophy as part of the MRes. This pathway allows you to explore the connections between literature and philosophy, including taking modules from our world-famous School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing. This pathway replaces options previously available as part of the MA in Philosophy and Literature.
Whether you’re interested in a philosophy PhD, or you simply want to extend your experience, this course will take your philosophical studies to the next level.
As a Philosophy MRes student, you’ll work week-by-week on essays you choose and plan in collaboration with your tutor. You’ll work on three modules with at least two different tutors and will undertake a core methodology module. This means you’ll be able to sample several areas within philosophy and work with different mentors, before choosing your dissertation topic.
The philosophy department at UEA is dynamic, friendly and committed to nurturing your emerging philosophical voice. Our varied and inclusive research team can provide supervision in many areas of philosophy including, but not limited to, the following:
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Applied Ethics
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Environmental Philosophy
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Epistemology
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Ethics and metaethics
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Experimental Philosophy
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Logic
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Nietzsche
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Phenomenology
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Philosophy of Literature and Art
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Philosophy of Language/Linguistics
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Philosophy of Mathematics
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Philosophy of Mind
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Philosophy of Religion
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Philosophy of Science
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Political Philosophy
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Wittgenstein
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World philosophies
Alongside your studies, you’ll attend a range of research events and seminars, including the postgraduate workshop (where you’ll share your dissertation plans and provide feedback on other students’ work) and the research seminar (with distinguished visiting speakers from Britain and abroad). You might also join the regular Wittgenstein Workshop, or other specialised research meetings and workshops organized by Faculty.
You’ll have an academic adviser throughout the course of your studies. They’ll provide academic and career guidance, and together with the dedicated team of professional services they will support your wellbeing.
Study and Modules
Structure
You’ll have the opportunity to take four taught modules over two semesters, starting with a compulsory module with seminars that explore the different approaches and methodologies that figure in the various traditions of Western philosophy.
Unless you are following the pathway in philosophy of literature, your three other taught modules (one in the autumn and two in the spring) consist entirely of guided study and essay writing with a supervisor and are taught through one-to-one tutorials. To set up your supervision for these three modules, we match your interests as far as possible with an available expert in the department. You’ll then meet with the specified supervisor and together you’ll plan a sequence of tutorial deadlines and essay questions. The typical procedure is that your tutor agrees an essay topic with you, then you research and write your essay for a deadline two weeks later. After you submit the essay, you’ll attend a tutorial to receive feedback, discuss and agree on the next assignment, and so on (much like the Oxbridge teaching system).
In the first semester, you’ll work with one tutor, and in the second semester with two, working on two different areas or topics. For assessment, you’ll submit two of the essays you have written for each module, after revisions that take account of the tutor’s comments.
Students following the pathway in philosophy and literature will replace one or more of the guided study modules with specialist modules. These might give you the chance to explore topics such as the literary Wittgenstein or the philosophical novel, to engage in the questions raised by censorship, or to probe (through your own practice) at the borders between ‘creative’ and ‘critical’ writing and how these borders are conceptualised.
Alongside the four taught modules, there are regular workshops for all graduate students. Participating in these workshops is the main activity prescribed for the research training component of the dissertation module. At these workshops you’ll meet and discuss philosophical ideas with PhD students and other Master’s students. Some sessions are devoted to skills in the use of bibliographical resources, career development and research applications.
When the two semesters of taught modules are complete, you will start your dissertation: this is usually your task from May to September. This will be on a topic of your choice, agreed in consultation with the course director and under the guidance of a supervisor.
It is also possible to replace a supervised study module with an appropriate taught master’s level module, or to work with your tutor on language training along with your essay work (for example, developing your ability in Ancient Greek or German).
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 40)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. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with 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. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
The main focus of this degree is on developing your independent research skills. While most of your learning will be self-directed study in preparation for your essay tutorials, you’ll have continuous support and guidance from the team of philosophers at UEA. You’ll be able to make use of UEA’s state-of-the-art library facilities, learning how to locate relevant literature for your studies using the online databases and our many subscriptions to journals in the field.
You’ll receive one-to-one tuition on your essays for supervised study modules, and on your dissertation drafts during the summer term. In your core module, you’ll be taught in a weekly seminar or small group session. You’ll receive written feedback on your coursework for this module.
In postgraduate workshop meetings, you’ll share your ideas for your dissertation and receive peer support and discussion. You’ll also discuss and give feedback to other graduate students on their work. These workshops are led by members of academic staff, and include discussions of a wide range of practical topics relevant to Master’s and PhD students.
The dissertation is your opportunity to develop a longer piece of written work. The one-to-one teaching for that task is geared towards advising on bibliography, and giving constructive criticism on draft sections, so that you can revise them and bring them together to form a coherent whole. This builds upon your earlier experience in the small essays for the supervised study modules. It also gives you a sense of what’s involved in preparing a PhD thesis, which might be your next step.
Our distinctive research environment offers an interdisciplinary outlook and a focus on methodological and metaphilosophical reflection. We are a leading center for Ludwig Wittgenstein and the Wittgensteinian tradition, and other staff research specialisms include philosophy of language and linguistics, philosophy of science, environmental philosophy, metaphilosophy, experimental philosophy, philosophy of literature, film and the arts, and phenomenology.
Assessment
We will assess each module through essays or other forms of written coursework. For each supervised study module, you’ll submit a package containing the two best essays from the three that you have prepared, having refined them with advice from your tutor.
For the dissertation module, you will submit a more major piece of work of 12,000–15,000 words. Your credits for this module will include your contribution in the postgraduate workshops.
Your degree result will be based on your marks for all your modules and your dissertation.
Entry Requirements
- Degree Classification
- 2.1 or equivalent
- Degree Subject
- Humanities
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 7.0 overall with minimum 7.0 in Writing and 6.0 in Listening, Reading and Speaking
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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- Intakes
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year
Additional Information or Requirements
A 3000 word essay from your previous degree should be uploaded to your online application.
Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2024/25 are:
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UK Students: £9,975 (full time)
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International Students: £21,200 (full time)
We estimate living expenses at £1,023 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
FURTHER INFORMATION
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.
Employability
After the Course
This MRes is a great route into PhD research, which is the first step towards a career in higher education. You can make your PhD application during your MRes or after you have finished.
However, this MRes is also perfect if you do not yet have fixed career plans or are simply not content to end your studies with a BA. The course prepares you for many different careers because it fosters independence, initiative, personal time management and the ability to work with a mentor. It hones your intellectual and communication skills, and your ability to empathise with the views of others.
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Example of careers that you could enter include:
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Computing
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Politics
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Journalism
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Teaching
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Charity and environmental work
Discover more on our Careers webpages.