MAPhilosophy
Source: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/philosophy/philosophyma/ Parent: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/
MA Philosophy
MA Philosophy
| UCAS code | 1234 |
| Duration | 1 year full time 2 years part time |
| Entry year | 2026 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Typical offer View full entry requirements | We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree or above in a social science*, natural science or humanities subject. |
| Contextual offers |
Why study MA Philosophy at Exeter?
- Engage with cutting-edge research in philosophy to explore some of the biggest questions facing society
- Learn from a diverse team of academics with specialists in areas such as philosophy of science, philosophy of mind, phenomenology, ethics, and philosophy of the social sciences
- Immerse yourself in the lively research culture of Egenis, a leading centre for the interdisciplinary study of the life sciences (including the cognitive, medical and environmental sciences)
- Study in small seminar groups, discussing ideas and the latest research trends with academics and your peers
- Create a bespoke programme with a range of optional modules from across philosophy, sociology and anthropology
- Gain key transferable skills in research, communication, self-management which will be valued by employers
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Select date of entry Sept 2026
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Fast Track (current Exeter students)
Contact
Programme Director: Dr Stephan Guttinger
Web: Enquire online
Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72
Top 10 in the UK for Philosophy
9th in The Complete University Guide 2026
Specialists in philosophy of science, philosophy of mind, ethics and philosophy of social science
100% of our research has internationally excellent impact
Based on research rated 4* + 3* in REF 2021, our research in Sociology, Philosophy, Anthropology and Criminology was returned to this UoA
Home to Egenis, the Centre for the Study of Life Science
Entry requirements
We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree or above in a social science*, natural science or humanities subject. While we normally only consider applicants who meet these criteria, if you are coming from a different academic background which is equivalent to degree level, or have relevant work experience, we would welcome your application.
*Accepted social science subjects include:
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Area and Development Studies
- Criminology
- Demography
- Development Studies
- Economics
- Economic and Social History
- Education
- Environmental Planning
- Human Geography
- International Relations
- Law
- Linguistics
- Management and Business Studies
- Media and Communication Studies
- Philosophy
- Politics and International Studies
- Psychology
- Science and Technology Studies
- Social Policy
- Social Statistics, Methods, and Computing
- Social Work
- Socio Legal Studies
- Sociology
Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.
Entry requirements for international students
Please visit our entry requirements section for equivalencies from your country and further information on English language requirements.
Read more
Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course.
The required IELTS test scores for this course fall under Profile B1.
Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Course content
We’ll actively encourage you to consider and debate some of the biggest questions facing mankind by engaging with the latest, cutting edge research in fields such as philosophy of science, philosophy of mind and contemporary ethics.
Our core module Introduction to Philosophical Methods, will give you a thorough grounding in a variety of different methods pursued in philosophical research as well as introducing you to the distinctive interdisciplinary character of research at Exeter. You’ll engage with methods such as conceptual analysis, naturalism, phenomenology, genealogy, experimental philosophy, historical sociological and ethnographic approaches.
You will be challenged to reflect critically on the different methods of philosophical research and taught how to use appropriate methods and materials to conduct your own research when completing your dissertation.
You will be taught by staff who are research active in the field and who bring this research directly into their teaching. Our small group seminars enable you to interact closely with academics and also peers, providing a safe and stimulating environment in which to develop and debate your own ideas and opinions, discuss readings and learn from others.
Due to our interdisciplinary approach you will have the benefit of a wide choice of optional modules from across sociology and anthropology as well as philosophy. In addition to philosophical issues and debates, you can also choose to study areas such as social theory; science and technology studies; the relationship between humans and animals; food, body and society; gender at work; data science and policy analysis.
You will undertake modules to the value of 180 credits comprised of a combination of compulsory and optional modules.
The modules below provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Modules
Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change.
90 credits of compulsory modules, 90 credits of optional modules.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHLM009 | Dissertation | 60 |
| PHLM010 | Introduction to Philosophical Methods | 30 |
Optional modules
Plus 90 credits of modules selected from a list of options offered in the Department of Philosophy, Sociology and Anthropology. \ \
Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes, this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MA Philosophy Option Modules 2025-6 | ||
| PHLM006 | Contemporary Ethics | 30 |
| PHLM007 | Current Issues in Mind and Cognition | 30 |
| PHLM008 | Mind, Body and World | 30 |
| PHLM013 | Philosophy and Psychedelics | 15 |
| PHLM014 | Philosophy and Psychedelics | 30 |
| PHLM015 | Contemporary Ethics | 15 |
| PHLM017 | Philosophy of Science | 30 |
| PHLM019 | AI and Society | 15 |
| PHLM020 | AI and Society | 30 |
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Fees
2026/27 entry
UK fees per year:
*£12,650 full-time; £6,325 part-time*
International fees per year:
£25,550 full-time; £12,775 part-time
Scholarships
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships *. We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship
We are pleased to offer University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship towards the cost of your tuition fees. Full details can be found here.
*Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply. See our website for details..
Find out more about tuition fees and funding »
Teaching and research
Teaching takes place over the first two terms, leaving the third for your dissertation. Research-centred teaching is at the heart of the programme. Teaching is done in small seminar groups to allow students the best possible interaction with academic staff, through individual presentations and round table discussions of common readings.
Students have the opportunity to engage in a serious piece of research into a topic of their choosing through the dissertation module. You will be assessed through coursework which will vary depending on the modules you choose and the completion of a dissertation.
Dr. Adam Toon
Programme Director
Dr Nigel Pleasants
Professor Christine Hauskeller
Dr Stephan Guttinger
Lecturer in Philosophy of Data and Data Ethics
Dr. Adam Toon
Programme Director
Adam works in philosophy of science and philosophy of mind, especially on topics that relate these two fields. He is also interested in the sociology of scientific knowledge.
His research draws on work in philosophy, cognitive science, history and sociology of science. He also conducts his own empirical studies.
Dr. Adam Toon
Programme Director
Adam works in philosophy of science and philosophy of mind, especially on topics that relate these two fields. He is also interested in the sociology of scientific knowledge.
His research draws on work in philosophy, cognitive science, history and sociology of science. He also conducts his own empirical studies.
Dr Nigel Pleasants
Nigel teaches on the optional module Philosophy of the Social Sciences 1. His main areas of interest and work are in social and moral philosophy. Since his degree days he has been strongly influenced by the philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein, especially his very latest writings in On Certainty. He is a member of the British Wittgenstein Society and sit on its Honorary Committee. In recent years he has been attempting to work out ways in which Wittgenstein’s philosophy might help illuminate areas of moral philosophy, introducing and developing the idea of moral certainty.
Professor Christine Hauskeller
Christine is a philosopher with training in sociology and psychology also. Her research covers a range of topics in the areas of Moral Philosophy and Empirical Ethics, Feminist Philosophy, Critical Theory, Philosophy of Medicine and the Life Sciences, Science and Technology Studies, and Bioethics.
Dr Stephan Guttinger
Lecturer in Philosophy of Data and Data Ethics
Stephan is a lecturer in the philosophy of data and data ethics. He also has a background in biochemistry. His research focuses on knowledge-generation in the contemporary life sciences, with a particular focus on how scientists produce reliable and trustworthy data in different experimental settings. He is particularly interested in how automation is changing the way we do science.
He is also interested in the nature of molecules, defending the view that molecular complexes, such as viruses, are best understood as processes rather than "things" or substances. Such ontological claims, he argues, have relevance for ethical debates about how to respond to viral pandemics or how to approach new biotechnological tools such as genome editing.
Careers
Employer-valued skills
In addition to the specialist knowledge you will gain during your programme, you will also develop transferrable skills valued by employers such as:
- Researching, analysing and assessing sources of information
- Written and verbal communication skills
- Managing and interpreting information
- Developing ideas and arguments
Career support
The College's Employability Officer works with our central Career Zone team to give you access to a wealth of business contacts, support and training, as well as the opportunity to meet potential employers at our regular Careers Fairs.