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Philosophy

MA, PG Cert, PG Dip

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:

October 2026

Study route:

MA and PG Dip:

  • One year full-time, on campus
  • Two years part-time, on campus

PG Cert:

  • One year part-time, on campus
Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:

Full-time | Part-time | On campus

Course overview

This postgraduate philosophy course offers you a research-led curriculum and specialist modules taught by leading figures in their fields. It is designed to foster your intellectual curiosity and develop your independent thinking.

  • Why choose this course?
    • If you have a first degree in philosophy, this course will give you the chance to further your studies in this field to an advanced level. If your degree is in a different subject, you will take a slightly different route to allow you to develop your capacity to engage with the key ideas in philosophy.
    • It is led by specialists and offers you a wide range of research-led modules to develop your philosophical interests.
    • The Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate are ideal if you want to develop a grounding in philosophy without undertaking a full MA course, while still having the option of transferring on to the MA Philosophy if you wish to.

  • What will I learn?

    On this course you will explore the central aspects of Western philosophy and its history in a uniquely collaborative and supportive learning environment.

    The course is also distinctly flexible, allowing you freedom to choose modules you want to study following your own philosophical interests, while also providing you with a sound platform for proceeding to more advanced research work in philosophy.

    If you choose to study the MA, you will have the opportunity to complete a dissertation on a topic of your choice with the support of an academic adviser. 

    For the Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma, you study fewer modules and do not complete a dissertation. 

  • How will I learn?

    This course is available to study full- or part-time and offers both evening and daytime classes, so you can balance your studies  with other commitments. It is taught through lectures and seminars.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: One to two classes a week, October to July.

    Part-time: One to two classes a week, October to July.

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More highlights

  • This uniquely flexible course may be studied in the evening or in the daytime, over one or two years, and with or without prior philosophical study.
  • Birkbeck is a leading centre for philosophical research in the UK. All of our established members of academic staff are active researchers, and our excellence in both teaching and research is consistently reflected in UK and international surveys.
  • As a philosophy student, you will be part of the University of London's thriving philosophical community and be eligible to attend the extensive range of seminars and conferences put on by the Institute of Philosophy.
  • We have a specialist philosophy library at 30 Russell Square. The main philosophy collection is held in the Birkbeck Library, which has an extensive range of books and online resources. 

Modules and Teaching

School of Historical Studies

The school is intensively interdisciplinary and its research and teaching covers every period from prehistory to the early twenty-first century.

Visit the school

Entry requirements

At least a second-class honours degree (2:2), or equivalent, not necessarily in philosophy.

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered, and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

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Fees

MA: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,000 per year
Full-time home students: £12,000 per year
Part-time international students: £11,490 per year
Full-time international students: £22,980 per year

PG Cert: One year part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £4,000 per year
Part-time international students: £7,660 per year

PG Dip: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £4,000 per year
Full-time home students: £8,000 per year
Part-time international students: £7,660 per year
Full-time international students: £15,320 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this postgraduate philosophy course, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:

  • research skills
  • critical-thinking skills
  • high-level oral and written communication skills in English
  • the ability to evaluate different types of evidence and information
  • presentation skills
  • the ability to persuade with cogent arguments.

Graduates can pursue career paths in management, politics, recruitment and journalism. Possible professions include:

  • further/higher education lecturer
  • secondary school teacher
  • Civil Service fast-streamer
  • local government officer
  • marketing executive
  • recruitment consultant.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to apply

You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more about how to apply.

Related courses

Study routes for Philosophy (MA, PG Cert, PG Dip)

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Starting in October 2026

Full-time

Part-time