| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-10-02 | 2023-05-01 |
| 2024-01-08 | 2023-08-01 |
| 2024-04-22 | 2023-11-01 |
| 2023-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
The aim of the
MPhil
degree is that you will have gained substantial specialist knowledge of a particular discipline and/or historical period, as a basis for more detailed research. You will have developed independent research skills appropriate for an academic post or a career in advanced research and written a substantial thesis, which may be extended subsequently into a thesis at doctoral level.The aim of the
PhD
degree is to assist you to complete a major piece of research in the area of Philosophy and/or Religion, and to demonstrate suitable academic attainments for appointment to a university-level teaching or research post. At the end of the programme, you will possess a good general knowledge of the particular field of learning within which the subject of the thesis falls and will have made a significant, original and substantial contribution to research.For both degree programmes, you will receive research and transferable skills training from the University’s Graduate Training Programme. (Does not apply if you take these programmes by distance learning).
You will be assigned a supervisor, whose duty it is to provide advice about the choice of subjects and on any questions relating to your academic work. Teaching is by means of individual tuition, according to the circumstances and the discretion of the supervisor. Arrangements vary from case to case. Advice can also be given by e-mail or telephone but you will need to meet your supervisor on a regular basis in order to discuss your progress.
The MPhil is awarded for a dissertation of not more than 60,000 words, and the PhD for a dissertation normally of not more than 100,000 words.
Research areas
The School offers supervision in the following areas of specialism:
To apply, send a research proposal of no less than 500 words, accompanied by a proposed bibliography and personal statement outlining your relevant experience (training and research) in your chosen field. To find out more about staff specialisms and supervision in the school, consult the Staff pages.
Programme Length
PhD: 3 years full-time; 5 years part-time; MPhil: 2 years full-time; 4 years part-time. Can be taken by Distance Learning.
Research Opportunities
Supervisors are renowned in their field and are members of international editorial boards, and various academic boards related to their fields of expertise.
Program Outline
Teaching
At Birkbeck, almost all of our courses are taught in the evening and our teaching is designed to support students who are juggling evening study with work and other daytime commitments. We actively encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching, to ensure our students have the best learning experience. In the 2017 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), the government's system for rating university teaching, Birkbeck was allocated a Silver award.
Teaching may include formal lectures, seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. Formal lectures are used in most degree programmes to give an overview of a particular field of study. They aim to provide the stimulus and the starting point for deeper exploration of the subject during your own personal reading. Seminars give you the chance to explore a specific aspect of your subject in depth and to discuss and exchange ideas with fellow students. They typically require preparatory study.
In addition, you will have access to pastoral support via a named Personal Tutor.
Methods of teaching on this course
Lectures and seminars are practical, with the majority of the sessions taking place in computer labs, and will incorporate practical collaborative exercises, group work and presentations. Students and tutors make significant use of online discussion groups for joint problem-solving and collaboration in research.
Teaching hours
Our evening hours are normally between 6pm and 9pm (6-7.30pm and 7.30-9pm). Some programmes also offer teaching during the day and this will be clearly signposted to you where it is available.
On our taught courses, you will have scheduled teaching and study sessions each year. Scheduled teaching sessions may include lectures, seminars, workshops or laboratory work. Depending on the modules you take, you may also have additional scheduled academic activities, such as tutorials, dissertation supervision, practical classes, visits and field trips. On our taught courses, the actual amount of time you spend in the classroom and in contact with your lecturers will depend on your course, the option modules you select and when you undertake your final-year project (if applicable).
Alongside your contact hours, you will also undertake assessment activities and independent learning outside of class. The amount of time you need to allocate to study both for taught sessions (this might include online sessions and/or in-person sessions) and personal study will depend on how much you are studying during the year and whether you are studying full time or part time.
Birkbeck’s courses are made up of modules and allocated ‘credit’. One credit is equivalent to ten hours of learning time. Modules are usually in 15, 30 or 60 credit units. A 15-credit module will mean around 150 hours of learning, including taught sessions and independent study or group work. This is spread out over the whole period of that module and includes the time you spend on any assessments, including in examinations, preparing and writing assessments or engaged in practical work as well as any study support sessions to help you in your learning.
On our distance-learning and blended-learning courses, discussion, collaboration and interaction with your lecturers and fellow students is encouraged and enabled through various learning technologies.
Timetables
Timetables are usually available from September onwards and you can access your personalised timetable via your My Birkbeck Profile online (if you have been invited to enrol).
Indicative class size
Class sizes vary, depending on your course, the module you are undertaking, and the method of teaching. For example, lectures are presented to larger groups, whereas seminars usually consist of small, interactive groups led by a tutor.
Independent learning
On our taught courses, much of your time outside of class will be spent on self-directed, independent learning, including preparing for classes and following up afterwards. This will usually include, but is not limited to, reading books and journal articles, undertaking research, working on coursework and assignments, and preparing for presentations and assessments.
Independent learning is absolutely vital to your success as a student. Everyone is different, and the study time required varies topic by topic, but, as a guide, expect to schedule up to five hours of self-study for each hour of teaching.
Study skills and additional support
Birkbeck offers study and learning support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed. Our Learning Development Service can help you in the following areas:
Our Disability and Dyslexia Service can support you if you have additional learning needs resulting from a disability or from dyslexia.
Our Counselling Service can support you if you are struggling with emotional or psychological difficulties during your studies.
Our Mental Health Advisory Service can support you if you are experiencing short- or long-term mental health difficulties during your studies.
Assessment
Assessment is an integral part of your university studies and usually consists of a combination of coursework and examinations, although this will vary from course to course - on some of our courses, assessment is entirely by coursework. The methods of assessment on this course are specified below under 'Methods of assessment on this course'. You will need to allow time to complete coursework and prepare for exams.
Where a course has unseen written examinations, these may be held termly, but, on the majority of our courses, exams are usually taken in the Summer term, during May to June. Exams may be held at other times of the year as well. In most cases, exams are held during the day on a weekday - if you have daytime commitments, you will need to make arrangements for daytime attendance - but some exams are held in the evening. Exam timetables are published online.
Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.
Methods of assessment on this course
Coursework, evaluations and project work.