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Philosophy at UEA
Find out more about studying Philosophy at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreMRes Philosophy
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Research
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
Other Start Dates
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Why you should choose us
Top 20
UEA is ranked top 20 in the UK for Research Quality
UEA is ranked top 20 in the UK for Research QualityCourse Overview
Are you drawn to questions that challenge our understanding of human nature, justice, trust, and meaning? Our MRes Philosophy programme creates space for curious minds to engage with philosophy's most compelling ideas and develop their own perspectives. Whether you're fascinated by the nature of consciousness, the foundations of ethics, or the power of language, this programme invites you to join a community where such explorations are valued.
This research-focused master's degree nurtures your intellectual curiosity whilst developing the advanced analytical skills valued across diverse professional landscapes. Beyond preparing you for doctoral study, our graduates excel in fields requiring critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and persuasive communication—from education and publishing to consultancy, and cultural sectors.
At UEA, you'll work alongside internationally recognised philosophers who will mentor your development as an independent thinker. Our flexible structure allows you to craft a programme aligned with both your intellectual passions and career aspirations. Through personalised supervision, research workshops, and a vibrant philosophical community, you'll refine your ideas and methodologies in a supportive environment.
The curriculum spans classical and contemporary philosophical traditions, including ethics, phenomenology, philosophy of mind, political philosophy, and philosophy of AI. Those interested in interdisciplinary approaches can explore our unique pathway connecting philosophy with literature through our partnership with UEA's celebrated School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing.
Whether you're a recent graduate eager to extend your philosophical journey or a professional seeking intellectual challenge, the MRes Philosophy offers a transformative experience that will enhance both your thinking and your professional prospects. At UEA, we don't just study big questions—we empower you to contribute meaningful answers.
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Study and Modules
Structure
Our MRes Philosophy blends structured teaching with independent research, preparing you for both academic advancement and professional success through a tailored approach to philosophical inquiry.
The programme begins with exploring diverse methodologies across Western philosophical traditions. This provides essential research frameworks while developing transferable skills in critical analysis and methodological rigour—capabilities highly valued in research-intensive careers and knowledge-based industries.
The heart of your learning experience lies in our distinctive supervision system. You'll work one-to-one with leading philosophers who specialise in your areas of interest. In these personalised sessions, you'll develop and refine sophisticated arguments through regular essay writing and detailed feedback. This intensive mentoring not only deepens your philosophical understanding but also cultivates professional communication skills, intellectual adaptability, and the ability to respond constructively to critique—attributes sought by employers across sectors.
During your first semester, you'll work with one supervisor, expanding to two different specialists in your second semester to broaden your philosophical horizons. For assessment, you'll submit polished versions of your tutorial essays, demonstrating your ability to incorporate expert feedback—an essential skill in professional environments.
Students following our philosophy and literature pathway can replace guided study modules with specialist interdisciplinary options. These might include exploring Wittgenstein's literary dimensions, examining philosophical novels, investigating censorship, or questioning the conceptual boundaries between creative and critical writing.
Throughout the year, our research training workshops bring together master's and doctoral students in a collaborative intellectual community. These sessions develop your research techniques, bibliographical skills, and career planning, while providing opportunities to present your ideas and receive wider feedback—simulating the professional environments of conferences and collaborative workplaces.
Your journey culminates in a dissertation on a topic of your choosing, supervised by an expert in your field. This substantial independent project showcases your ability to conceive, execute and deliver complex research—the hallmark of advanced academic achievement and a demonstration of the project management skills valued in numerous professional contexts.
For those with specific interests, we offer flexibility to replace a supervised study module with an appropriate taught Master's module or incorporate language training relevant to your philosophical research.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 40)Important Information
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 MRes Philosophy at UEA offers a distinctive blend of independent research and personalised academic support designed to cultivate both scholarly excellence and professional capabilities.
At the heart of your learning experience is our commitment to developing your research autonomy. Through one-to-one essay tutorials with expert supervisors, you'll refine critical thinking skills essential for both academic progression and knowledge-intensive careers. This individualised approach ensures you receive targeted guidance on your specific philosophical interests whilst building the self-directed working patterns valued in professional environments.
Our core modules provide methodological foundations through engaging seminars and detailed written feedback, honing your analytical writing—a transferable skill across numerous sectors. Meanwhile, UEA's comprehensive library resources and digital journal collections support your independent research, with training provided on advanced research techniques that translate directly to professional research contexts.
The postgraduate workshop programme creates a collaborative intellectual community where you'll present ideas, engage in constructive critique, and develop the presentation and discussion skills essential for both academic conferences and professional meetings. These sessions, led by experienced academics, also cover practical aspects of research careers and professional development.
Your dissertation represents the culmination of your intellectual journey, allowing you to produce substantial original research under expert supervision. This process mirrors professional project management—identifying research questions, planning investigations, synthesising findings, and producing polished outputs to deadlines. For those considering doctoral study, it provides invaluable preparation; for those entering other professions, it demonstrates high-level project execution capabilities.
UEA's Philosophy department offers a uniquely interdisciplinary environment with particular strengths in Wittgenstein, environmental philosophy, philosophy of AI, philosophy of mathematics, experimental philosophy, and philosophy of literature and the arts. This intellectual diversity ensures your research experience is both academically rigorous and connected to contemporary philosophical and real-world concerns.
Assessment
Our assessment approach emphasises quality of thought and scholarly rigour, whilst developing professional writing skills. For each supervised study module, you'll submit two refined essays that showcase your ability to incorporate expert feedback—an essential skill in knowledge-based careers.
The dissertation represents your most substantial intellectual contribution, demonstrating advanced research capabilities valued by both academic institutions and employers. Your active participation in postgraduate workshops contributes to this module, recognising the importance of collaborative skills in professional environments.
Your final degree classification reflects your performance across all modules and your dissertation, providing a comprehensive evaluation of your philosophical development and research capabilities.
Employability
After the Course
The MRes Philosophy provides an excellent foundation for doctoral study, with many graduates successfully progressing to PhD programmes at prestigious institutions worldwide. For those aspiring to academic careers, this programme offers valuable research experience and scholarly publications potential.
Beyond academia, our graduates excel in sectors where analytical thinking, ethical reasoning, and sophisticated communication are paramount. Our alumni have built rewarding careers in education, publishing, cultural institutions, and consultancy. The programme's emphasis on independent research, intellectual flexibility, and collaborative dialogue develops a versatile professional skillset that employers increasingly value in complex, knowledge-driven environments.
Whether advancing philosophical inquiry or applying philosophical thinking in other contexts, MRes graduates leave equipped with the intellectual agility and critical perspective to make meaningful contributions in their chosen fields.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Computing
- Politics
- Journalism
- Teaching
- Charity and environmental work
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.1
Degree Subject
Humanities
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 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 meet the English language requirements for this course, our UEA International Study Centre offers a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
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- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2026/27 are:
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UK Students: £11,200
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International Students: £23,850
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 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
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.