Program Overview

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Graduate Diploma Philosophy

The Graduate Diploma in Philosophy is a nine-month full-time course designed for students who do not have the appropriate undergraduate preparation to embark directly on the MA Philosophy course. This diploma constitutes a qualifying degree for the MA Philosophy.

Overview

• Course: Philosophy
• Start date: October 2026
• Study mode: Full-time
• Duration: 9 months
• Location: Colchester Campus
• Based in: School of Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies

The course allows students to choose from existing modules taught by enthusiastic, friendly, and expert academics, including modules on ethics, phenomenology, existentialism, feminism, philosophy of religion, or contemporary political philosophy. At the end of the course, students can complete a capstone module, putting them in an excellent position for further study in Philosophy.

Entry Requirements

UK Entry Requirements

• A 2:2 degree, or international equivalent, in any discipline.

International & EU Entry Requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries.

English Language Requirements

• If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum score of 5.5 in all components.
• If you do not meet our IELTS requirements, you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Structure

Course Structure

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The course consists of eight modules at 3rd-year undergraduate level (up to two of these can be at 2nd-year level).

Components and Modules

• Components are the blocks of study that make up your course.
• Modules are the individual units of study for your course.
• Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

Teaching

• Postgraduate students in the School of Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies usually attend a one-hour lecture and one-hour seminar for each module each week or workshops.
• We run a number of mini-courses, seminars, and conferences.

Assessment

• Assessment is normally on the basis of coursework and your capstone project.

Fees and Funding

Home/UK Fee

• Ł7,277

International Fee

• Ł15,758

Scholarships and Financial Support

There may be scholarships, bursaries, or discounts available to help with the cost of this course.

What's Next

Open Days

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex.

Applying

You can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.

Visit Colchester Campus

Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

Related Courses

• MA Philosophy
  • Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
  • Location: Colchester Campus