Diploma in Philosophy

The Diploma is for graduates in any subject who would like to obtain a qualification in philosophy or to acquire an informed understanding of the subject. The Diploma aims to bring students to a postgraduate level in Philosophy in one year.

The Department of Philosophy is among the best in the UK, with a reputation for high quality research in all aspects of the subject. You will be taught and supervised by members of a friendly and informal department with one-to-one tutorials, seminars and lectures. You will also be assigned a personal tutor who will help you to structure your course of study and choose the topics you wish to research.

You will join our flourishing research culture, getting involved in the three weekly research seminars on a wide range of philosophical issues. There is also a weekly postgraduate seminar, where you may present your own work before your peers, helping you to develop your argumentative strategies in a supportive environment.

Conversion to an MA within the period of registration for the Diploma can be considered if you consistently achieve high marks in the programme.

Core Units

• Epistemology and Metaphysics Seminar

A mandatory, two-hour, weekly seminar studying core topics in epistemology and metaphysics. This unit is examined by an essay of 5,000-6,000 words. As with all assessed essays, you can meet with a supervisor to discuss your work and to receive feedback on a draft essay.

• Philosophical Writing and Research Seminar

A mandatory, two-hour, weekly seminar developing ideas, bibliographical and writing skills necessary for philosophical research. The unit is assessed by seminar contributions and presentations.

• Value Theory Seminar

A mandatory, two-hour, weekly seminar studying core topics in moral and/or political philosophy. This unit is examined by an essay of 5,000-6,000 words.

• Three essay units

One unit is taken on an agreed topic of your choice. You will have one-to-one meetings with a supervisor to discuss your essay and receive feedback on a draft.

For each of the remaining two units you may choose either:

i) a taught seminar unit from a list of those available (the list changes from year to year but includes the taught units available in Philosophy and History of Science such as Philosophy of Mathematics and Philosophy and History of Medicine); or

ii) a unit taught by individual tutorials on an agreed topic of your choosing.

Each unit is assessed by an essay of 5,000- 6,000 words.