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  • Philosophy (MPhilStud and PhD / MPhil)
  • 2012/2013 entry
  • Contact us
  • Attendance
      • Full-time: fortnightly supervisions and weekly seminars.
      • Part-time: one supervision every three weeks and fortnightly seminars. 
  • Duration
      • MPhilStud: two years full-time or three years part-time, starting in October.
      • PhD: three years full-time or five years part-time; after the MPhilStud, two years full-time or three years part-time.
  • Entry requirements
      • MPhilStud: first- or good upper second-class degree in or including a substantial element of philosophy.
      • PhD/MPhil: an appropriate Master's-level qualification. Candidates who do not have the MPhilStud are admitted initially for the degree of MPhil, and are upgraded to the PhD after a year if their research develops satisfactorily.

      Find out about our international entry requirements

  • Fees
    • Fees (2012/13)
      • Part-time (home/EU students): £2020 pa
      • Part-time (overseas students): £5750 pa
      • Full-time (home/EU students): £3840 pa
      • Full-time (overseas students): £11,475 pa
  • Funding

Philosophy (MPhilStud and PhD / MPhil) - 2012/2013 entry


  • Overview

    • We offer research-based teaching in a wide range of philosophical subjects. There are two-three AHRC studentships to award each year. We foster our students' professional development. Some of our recent PhDs now have permanent academic posts in leading universities.

      The MPhilStud is often taken in preparation for the PhD, but is a valuable qualification in its own right. Students study three areas of philosophy in depth and write a dissertation.

      The MPhil/PhD is the direct route to the PhD and is suitable for students who are ready to start writing a PhD thesis.

      Find out more about the research degree and about studying philosophy at Birkbeck.

  • Research resources

    • Library resources include the Birkbeck Library, the University of London Library and the British Library.

      Find out more about our philosophy resources.

  • Teaching Opportunities

    • Each year, the department provides a number of teaching opportunities for research students. It is important for students who are considering a career in philosophy, and who are sufficiently well prepared, to take advantage of the opportunity to teach undergraduates.

  • Assessment information
    • MPhilStud: Students are examined by pre-submitted essays in three chosen subjects. You will also write a thesis of 30,000 words.

      Of the three subjects, one must be taken from a list of historical subjects (extending from the Greeks to Wittgenstein); one from a list of thematic subjects (logic and metaphysics, epistemology and methodology, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind and psychology, philosophy of mathematics, ethics, aesthetics, political philosophy, philosophy of science, philosophy of history, symbolic logic); and the third from either list.

      PhD/MPhil: For the PhD, you will write a thesis of up to 75,000 words. Students who complete the MPhilStud satisfactorily may be able to proceed to the PhD.

      Students enrolled for the PhD/MPhil are upgraded to PhD once they have progressed sufficiently. PhD/MPhil students who fail to upgrade to PhD may submit a shorter thesis and receive the MPhil degree.

  • Further information

    • Why Birkbeck?

      Birkbeck's Department of Philosophy enjoys an international reputation for research. The department has a flourishing community of research students, and is committed to providing them with a first rate philosophical training. We warmly welcome applications from international, EU and UK candidates who wish to study either full-time or part-time.

      The research interests of the department cover an encompassing range of areas within the discipline:

      • Ancient philosophy, history of early modern philosophy, Nietzsche, history of analytic philosophy
      • Logic, language, metaphysics, philosophy of mathematics
      • Philosophy of mind, philosophy of action, philosophy of psychology
      • Ethics, political philosophy, socialist and feminist philosophy
      • Epistemology, philosophy of science

      The department has been highly ranked for the standards of its research, including top in the US and UK for feminist philosophy.

      Our research degrees

      We offer the MPhilStud, the MPhil and the PhD (although students rarely take the degree of MPhil: see below).

      Most students who plan to do a PhD begin with the MPhilStud. Although the MPhilStud contains a significant element of guided tuition, it provides a deeper grounding in philosophy than the MA. It is a good basis for further research, allowing time to think out a PhD topic. Students who pass the MPhilStud can apply directly for the PhD which ordinarily then takes one year less than for students without an MPhilStud.

      Those who have a strong Master's qualification in philosophy and a robust thesis proposal may apply directly for the MPhil/PhD at the entry stage. Students who have embarked on the MPhilStud and who have a good doctoral thesis proposal may apply to transfer to the PhD.

      MPhilStud: Students taking this degree study for two years full-time or three years part- time. It is designed to give an in-depth knowledge of three areas of philosophy as well the opportunity to do a sustained piece of philosophical research by writing a thesis of 25,000–30,000 words.

      PhD: The PhD is examined solely by thesis, which must be of no more than 75,000 words. It must be submitted by full-time students within ten terms (39 months) of their date of initial registration, and by part-time students within 15 terms. Students admitted for the PhD who do not have the equivalent of an MPhilStud are initially registered on the MPhil, from which they apply for upgrade to the PhD, usually at the end of the third term for full-time students (fourth of fifth term for part-time students).

      MPhil: The thesis required for the MPhil is around 45,000 words, and it can be less ambitious than that required for a PhD. Those admitted for the MPhil/PhD whose application for upgrade to PhD is unsuccessful may submit a thesis for the MPhil. It is also possible, although unusual, to apply just for the MPhil (i.e. without intending to apply for upgrade to the PhD. This is sometimes the optimal course to take for those who want to study part-time and have a definite thesis topic).

      What can I go on to do?

      The MPhilStud prepares one to teach Philosophy in schools (where there is a demanding A-level). It can also lead to careers in many other fields where one is expected to be self-motivated, to undertake demanding research projects, and to present them lucidly.

      The MPhilStud also leads naturally to the PhD. It is possible to transfer to the MPhil/Phd before completing the MPhilStud (The AHRC allows for this in its funding arrangements.) It is also possible to complete the MPhilStud and then enroll as a PhD student.

      To get an academic post it is necessary to have a PhD. We expect a fair proportion of our PhD students to find positions in university philosophy departments, and have a good record of appointments in British and international universities. A PhD in Philosophy is also an outstanding preparation for research work in many other fields, and can lead to a great variety of careers.

  • Application information