Program Overview

Overview

The Philosophy MPhil, PhD program at Newcastle University is designed for students who wish to explore critical thinking through the assumptions of the age. The program offers research supervision in various areas, including Continental philosophy and the history of European ideas, aesthetics, ethics, and social and political philosophy.

Research and Supervision Areas

Research supervision is available in the following areas:

• Continental philosophy and the history of European ideas
  • Vico
  • post-Kantian thought (including Hegel and German idealism)
  • Kierkegaard
  • Nietzsche
  • phenomenology
  • Hermeneutics
  • psychoanalysis
  • Bataille
  • Frankfurt School
  • the Situationists
  • Poststructuralism (including Deleuze, Foucault and Derrida)
  • posthumanism
  • postmodernism (including Vattimo)
• Aesthetics
  • philosophy and the arts
  • philosophy of music
  • philosophy and contemporary art
  • philosophy and literature (particularly Blanchot)
• Ethics
  • theoretical
  • applied
  • social
• Social and political philosophy
• Philosophy and religion

Qualifications Explained

The program offers two qualification options:

• MPhil (Master of Philosophy): a research training program that leads to the completion of a 40,000 - 50,000 word thesis.
• PhD (Doctor of Philosophy): a doctorate or doctoral award that involves original research leading to the completion of a substantial piece of work (80,000 – 100,000 words) in the form of a supervised thesis.

How You'll Learn

The program includes:

• Research training and supervision
• Original research leading to the completion of a thesis
• Assessment methods:
  • Thesis
  • Viva

Your Development

The program provides:

• Postgraduate research student support
• Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS) researcher development programme
• Doctoral training and partnerships
• Opportunities for interdisciplinary research and collaboration

Your Future

The program is designed to help students:

• Stay healthy, positive, and feeling well
• Overcome challenges during their degree
• Get the most out of their postgraduate research experience
• Carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through their degree
• Understand postgraduate research processes, standards, and rules

Fees and Funding

• Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year):
  • MPhil: Not set (Home), £24,400 (International)
  • PhD: Not set (Home), £24,400 (International)
• Scholarships and funding opportunities are available

Entry Requirements

• Academic entry requirements:
  • A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a humanities or social science subject
• English Language requirements:
  • IELTS, Pearson, Duolingo English Test, TOEFL, or other accepted qualifications
• Admissions policy:
  • The University's admissions policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions

How to Apply

• Start dates: September, January
• Closing dates: No application closing date, but specific deadlines for funding may apply
• Specialised application information:
  • Contact staff about the suitability of research ideas and projects
  • Submit a research proposal with the application
• Deposit:
  • £1,500 deposit required for international students or students from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland who need a visa to study in the UK

Open Days and Events

• The University regularly travels overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University
• Visit the events calendar for the latest events

Quality and Ranking

• 42% of the University's research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• Global Top 140 University – QS World University Rankings 2026
• Global Top 160 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025
• Top 125 for Arts and Humanities – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
• Top 75 for Arts and Humanities - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
• Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK: Check the government's website for more information.