Program Overview

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Philosophy, MA

Introduction

A degree in Philosophy is taught via a selection of compulsory and optional courses to enhance your learning and prepare you for a future career or further study.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: MA
• Duration: 48 months
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Start Month: September
• UCAS Code: V500
• Pathway Programme Available: Undergraduate Foundation Programme

Philosophy is the study of argument and its application to a wide variety of questions of fundamental importance to human life and intellectual activity. Philosophers attempt to answer questions such as: What is knowledge? What is the nature of truth? Could the existence of God be proved?

What You'll Study

Year 1

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Academic Writing for Divinity, History & Philosophy (AW1007)
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
  • Experience, Knowledge and Reality (PH1523)
• Optional Courses: Select TWO from the following:
  • Controversial Questions (PH1027)
  • How Should One Live? (PH1522)
  • Logic and Argument (PH1034)
  • Plus, select further credit points from courses of choice to reach 120 credit points.

Year 2

• Optional Courses: Select 120 credit points of which at least 45 must be from level 2 Philosophy courses.
• Level 2 Philosophy courses available:
  • Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (PH2512) 15 credits
  • Metaphysics and Epistemology (PH2540) 15 credits
  • Philosophy and Society (PH2512) 15 credits
  • Political Philosophy (PH201C) 15 credits

Year 3

• Optional Courses: Select 120 credit points of which at least 90 must be from level 3 Philosophy courses.
• A selection of the following Philosophy courses will be available at level 3:
  • Free Will and Moral Responsibility (30 credits)
  • The Metaphysics of Possibility (30 credits)
  • Genes, Brains and Evolution (30 credits)
  • Philosophy of Medicine (30 credits)
  • Knowledge, Power and Society (30 credits)
  • Global Justice (30 credits)
  • Contemporary Topics in Philosophy (30 credits)
  • Theories of Democracy (30 credits)
  • Honours Research Project in Philosophy (30 credits)

Year 4

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Dissertation (PH402D)
• Optional Courses: Select 90 credit points of which at least 60 must be from level 4 Philosophy courses.
• A selection of the following Philosophy courses will be available at level 4:
  • Ancient Chinese Philosophy (30 credits)
  • Philosophy of Games and Sports (30 credits)
  • Scepticism (30 credits)
  • Creativity (30 credits)
  • Philosophy of Time (30 credits)
  • Scientific Revolutions and Scientific Rationality (30 credits)
  • Effective Altruism (30 credits)
  • The Open Future (30 credits)
  • Social Epistemology (30 credits)
  • Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason (30 credits)

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Individual Projects
• Lectures
• Research
• Tutorials

Assessment Methods

Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:

• Coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course.
• Practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course.
• Written examinations at the end of each course.

The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses.

Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.

Why Study Philosophy?

• You will study a wide ranging programme of courses.
• You will look at how Philosophy is changing in distinctive ways.
• Your skills will be valued by the business community and beyond.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

• SQA Highers:
  • Standard: AABB
  • Minimum: BBB
  • Adjusted: BB
• A LEVELS:
  • Standard: BBB
  • Minimum: BBC
  • Adjusted: CCC
• International Baccalaureate: 32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL.
• Irish Leaving Certificate: 5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS Academic: OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
• TOEFL iBT: OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
• PTE Academic: OVERALL - 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
• Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Fees and Funding

• Fee information:
  • England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £9,535
  • EU / International students: £20,800
  • Self-funded international students commencing eligible undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £6,000 tuition waiver for every year of their programme
  • Home Students: £1,820

Scholarships and Funding

• UK Scholarship: Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding.
• Aberdeen Global Scholarship: The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.

Careers

• There are many opportunities at the University of Aberdeen to develop your knowledge, gain experience and build a competitive set of skills to enhance your employability.
• The Careers and Employability Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us, from first to final year – and beyond.

Our Experts

• You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors.

Discover Uni

• 100% of students were satisfied overall with their course.
• 100% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.
• 90% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.