MPhil in Philosophy
Overview
This is a two-year (full-time) research degree which can either be a stand-alone research degree or form the basis for further research, normally in the form of a PhD in Philosophy. Students write a long dissertation of no more than 60,000 words under the supervision of a member of faculty (often more than one member of faculty). Although the Department of Philosophy can in principle offer supervision for any research project in philosophy, it has particular research strengths in the following areas (in which it hosts dedicated research 'clusters'):
- Ancient philosophy
- Early modern philosophy
- Epistemology
- Ethics
- Logic and language
- Mind and cognition
Applications are thus strongly urged from these areas. Note that students taking the MPhil degree can, if they wish (and subject to satisfactory progression), transfer directly from the end of the 1st year of their MPhil degree to the 2nd year of a PhD degree, or from the end of the 2nd year of their MPhil degree to the 3rd year of a PhD degree.
Applications
Applicants will normally have a masters degree in Philosophy or a related subject. (Those applicants who wish to take the MPhil directly after their undergraduate degree are advised to apply for the MSc by Research in the first instance, from which they can subsequently transfer to the MPhil programme). Applicants will need to produce a detailed research proposal (roughly 500-1000 words) as part of their application. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider which members of faculty might supervise their project, and to indicate this in their application.
Informal inquiries about admission to this degree may be addressed to the Director of Graduate Studies, Dr Tillmann Vierkant.
Further information
- For details about funding, go to Scholarships.
- Research in Philosophy at Edinburgh.
- Postgraduate study in Philosophy at Edinburgh.
- Application information for prospective postgraduate students.
- Administrative inquiries regarding applications to this programme should be directed to the PPLS Postgraduate Office. All other inquiries should be directed to the Director of Graduate Studies, Dr Tillmann Vierkant.