Program Overview

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Philosophy

The one-year Higher Diploma in Philosophy gives you a rare chance to study western as well as eastern philosophy. You will study different philosophical concepts and theories, from issues of mind and consciousness, action and politics, ethics and aesthetics, to society and culture, globalism, and power and territory.

Course Outline

The course begins in September and gives students from all disciplines an opportunity for intensive study in both eastern and western philosophy. Students select 12 modules (60 credits) from year 2 and 3 undergraduate options.

Course Practicalities

This is a one-year, full-time or two-year, part-time taught programme. During the two teaching periods (September to March) you will take twelve taught modules (5 credits, 2 hours each of weekly lectures).

Part-Time Option

The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over two years.

Assessment

For each seminar class, you must prepare the set readings and complete the required coursework. Modules are typically assessed by written essays and end-of-year or in-class exams. The assessment of many modules also includes attendance and/or participation segments.

Who teaches this course

• Dr Bengt Autzen - Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Biology, Philosophy of Medicine, Philosophy of Economics
• Dr Vittorio Bufacchi - Political Philosophy, Human Rights, Violence, Social Justice
• Dr Jason Dockstader - History of Philosophy, Metaethics, and Moral Psychology
• Dr Kian Mintz-Woo - Moral Philosophy, both theoretical and applied to climate change policy, Meta-ethics, Philosophy of Science (Economics)
• Dr Adam Loughnane - Aesthetics, Continental Philosophy, Asian Philosophy
• Dr Julie Reshe - Existential Philosophy; Continental Philosophy; Negative Psychoanalysis; Depressive Realism
• Professor Don Ross - Philosophy of Economics, Philosophy of Science, Scientific Metaphysics
• Dr Alessandro Salice - Phenomenology, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophical Psychology, Social Ontology, Moral Psychology
• Dr Joel Walmsley - Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Science, Cognitive Science

Why Choose This Course

UCC Philosophy is the only department in Ireland (and one of the only departments in Europe) offering the opportunity to study in three distinct philosophical traditions: Asian Philosophy, Continental Philosophy, and Analytic Philosophy. This course allows you to acquire a unique comparative philosophical education. Our staff have a distinctive international profile, with members from Ireland, the UK, Germany, Italy and the USA. Together, we bring multiple perspectives to bear on our shared philosophical concerns, and we create a diverse and energetic environment within which to conduct philosophical research.

Skills and Careers Information

Throughout the course, we emphasise that philosophy is not just something that you learn about, rather, it is also something that you do. To this end, we offer a number of courses that enable students to develop philosophical skills of their own, and we aim to foster the skills of analysis, creativity and discovery, as well as developing an in-depth understanding of non-European thought and culture. On this course you will develop the following skills:

• critical thinking
• inter-cultural competence
• professional writing
• construction and evaluation of arguments
• communication
• information management
• design and planning
• research and investigation.

Employers in diverse fields value the skills of analysis, creativity and discovery that we aim to foster, and so, a degree in philosophy can be the starting point for many different career paths.

Requirements

It is intended for those who already have a 3 or 4-year primary degree, preferably in the area of Arts or the Sciences, and who wish to study the subject of Philosophy intensively over one academic year. The Higher Diploma in Arts is a conversion programme and applicants would not normally have studied the relevant subject to Honours Degree level previously.

For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.

International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

Fees and Costs

Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2025/2026

See our Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.

Deposits

If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.

Fee payment

Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January.

Additional Requirements

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following:

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
• In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.
• Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
• Please submit a copy of a short analytical/critical/report writing sample or essay (1,000 words approx.)