Graduate Diploma Philosophy

Program Overview

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If you do not have the appropriate undergraduate preparation to embark directly on our MA Philosophy course, this nine-month Graduate Diploma in Philosophy is right for you. It constitutes a qualifying degree for the MA Philosophy. You can choose from our existing list of modules taught by our enthusiastic, friendly and expert academics – such as modules on ethics, phenomenology and existentialism, feminism, philosophy of religion or contemporary political philosophy. At the end, you will be able to complete a capstone module, putting you into an excellent position for further study in Philosophy. At Essex, you have the freedom to study what most interests you. Our Graduate Diploma consists of eight modules at 3rd-year undergraduate level (up to two of these can be at 2nd-year level). You must complete the appropriate coursework and examinations and can also write a project on a topic of your choice if this is agreed with your course director. Regardless of the topics you pursue, we are committed to research-based teaching, with a particular emphasis on bringing the approaches of philosophy into contact with other disciplines and discourses. We are 7th in the UK for research impact in philosophy (Grade Point Average, REF2021). Why we're great.

• We are world-renowned for our combination of Continental and Anglo-American philosophy
• Tailor your course to focus on continental philosophy, critical social theory, psychoanalysis, or art history
• We are 7th in the UK for research impact in philosophy (Grade Point Average, REF2021)

Our expert staff

Our courses are taught by world-class academics and we are 7th in the UK for research impact in philosophy (Grade Point Average, REF2021). Our open-minded and enthusiastic staff are known for our unique combination of Anglo-American and European philosophy, and as a leading centre for critical theory, phenomenology, German idealism and medical humanities. Some recent projects and publications include:

• Timo Jütten’s major new Leverhulme-funded research project, Competition and Competitiveness
• Irene ene McMullin’s Existential Flourishing: A Phenomenology of the Virtues (Cambridge, 2018)
• Steve Gormley’s Deliberative Theory and Deconstruction: A Democratic Venture (Edinburgh, 2020)

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Specialist facilities

• Attend our Critical Theory Colloquium
• Attend the Werkstatt , where recent work on phenomenology is presented
• An exciting programme of research seminars, reading groups and mini-courses that help you expand your philosophical knowledge beyond what you learn on your course
• Access a variety of philosophy textbooks and journals in the Albert Sloman Library and in our departmental library

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Your future

Successful completion of this diploma acts as a qualifying degree for our MA Philosophy. Our graduates have gone into careers in law, the media, local administration, HM Revenue and Customs, and top jobs in the Civil Service. We work with the university’s Careers Services to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Program Outline

Course structure

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we’ll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

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Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose. Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

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Modules

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. In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available. Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code . For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

HR	100	4	FY
The department or school the module will be taught by. In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.	The module number.	The UK academic level of the module. A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course. A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules. A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.	The term the module will be taught in. AU : Autumn term SP : Spring term SU : Summer term FY : Full year AP : Autumn and Spring terms PS: Spring and Summer terms AS: Autumn and Summer terms

Year 1 This is an intensive final-year module running over five weeks during the summer term. It involves a guided and structured approach to support students in completing a research project of their own. The theme for Summer Term 2022 will be Challenges to Human Flourishing. Students will be introduced to two major research traditions in Philosophy that bear on this theme: (1) Critical Theory and (2) Phenomenology and Existentialism, both of which offer powerful resources for thinking about the nature of the good life and the many obstacles to realising it that we face. View Philosophy Capstone Module on our Module Directory COMPONENT 02: OPTIOL Philosophy option(s) from list (60 CREDITS) COMPONENT 03: OPTIOL Philosophy option(s) from list (30 CREDITS)

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Teaching

• Your modules, followed during the autumn and spring terms, generally consist of two-hour seminars
• We run a number of mini-courses, seminars and conferences

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Assessment

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