MRes Philosophy
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Research
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Course Overview
Is there such a thing as human nature? How can we apply our political ideals to the real world? What good is religion? How can playing language games set us free? If these are the sort of questions that fascinate you, this course is for you.
On our MRes Philosophy degree, you’ll dive deep into complex philosophical questions. We’ll equip you with the skills you need to conduct your own research in philosophy. Our flexible structure is designed to enable you to tailor your studies to your interests and career aspirations. Whether you’re aiming for a philosophy PhD, a career in academia, research and teaching, or you simply wish to extend your studies beyond undergraduate level, this course will stimulate your intellect and ambitions.
Is there a debate you want to join? We’ll help you refine your research skills. You’ll work closely with world-class academic supervisors to develop your ideas and research methods. With their expert guidance and a diverse schedule of workshops and events, UEA is the ideal place to nurture your passions and expand your mind.
You’ll have the option to explore a wide range of areas including: Applied Ethics, Environmental Philosophy, Epistemology, Ethics and Metaethics, Experimental Philosophy, Logic, Nietzsche, Phenomenology, Philosophy of Literature and Art, Philosophy of Language/Linguistics, Philosophy of Mathematics, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Religion, Philosophy of Science, Political Philosophy, Wittgenstein, and World Philosophies.
You can also pursue a specialised pathway that bridges literature and philosophy by taking advantage of our connections with the world-renowned School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing. The range of questions you can explore during your degree with us is boundless. Here at UEA, we’ll help you to realise your potential.
Study and Modules
Structure
You’ll have the opportunity to take four taught modules over two semesters, starting with a compulsory module with seminars that explore the different approaches and methodologies that figure in the various traditions of Western philosophy.
Unless you’re following the pathway in philosophy of literature, your three other taught modules (one in the autumn and two in the spring) consist entirely of guided study and essay writing with a supervisor and are taught through one-to-one tutorials. To set up your supervision for these three modules, we match your interests as far as possible with an available expert in the department. You’ll then meet with the specified supervisor and together you’ll plan a sequence of tutorial deadlines and essay questions. The typical procedure is that your tutor agrees an essay topic with you, then you research and write your essay for a deadline two weeks later. After you submit the essay, you’ll attend a tutorial to receive feedback, discuss and agree on the next assignment, and so on (much like the Oxbridge teaching system).
In the first semester, you’ll work with one tutor, and in the second semester with two, working on two different areas or topics. For assessment, you’ll submit two of the essays you’ve written for each module, after revisions that take account of the tutor’s comments.
Students following the pathway in philosophy and literature will replace one or more of the guided study modules with specialist modules. These might give you the chance to explore topics such as the literary Wittgenstein or the philosophical novel, to engage in the questions raised by censorship, or to probe (through your own practice) at the borders between ‘creative’ and ‘critical’ writing and how these borders are conceptualised.
Alongside the four taught modules, there are regular workshops for all graduate students. Participating in these workshops is the main activity prescribed for the research training component of the dissertation module. At these workshops you’ll meet and discuss philosophical ideas with PhD students and other Master’s students. Some sessions are devoted to skills in the use of bibliographical resources, career development and research applications.
When the two semesters of taught modules are complete, you’ll start your dissertation: this is usually your task from May to September. This will be on a topic of your choice, agreed in consultation with the course director and under the guidance of a supervisor.
It’s also possible to replace a supervised study module with an appropriate taught Master’s level module, or to work with your tutor on language training along with your essay work (for example, developing your ability in Ancient Greek or German).
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 40)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
The main focus of this degree is on developing your independent research skills. While most of your learning will be self-directed study in preparation for your essay tutorials, you’ll have continuous support and guidance from the team of philosophers at UEA. You’ll be able to make use of UEA’s state-of-the-art library facilities, learning how to locate relevant literature for your studies using the online databases and our many subscriptions to journals in the field.
You’ll receive one-to-one tuition on your essays for supervised study modules, and on your dissertation drafts during the summer term. In your core module, you’ll be taught in a weekly seminar or small group session. You’ll receive written feedback on your coursework for this module.
In postgraduate workshop meetings, you’ll share your ideas for your dissertation and receive peer support and discussion. You’ll also discuss and give feedback to other graduate students on their work. These workshops are led by members of academic staff, and include discussions of a wide range of practical topics relevant to Master’s and PhD students.
The dissertation is your opportunity to develop a longer piece of written work. The one-to-one teaching for that task is geared towards advising on bibliography, and giving constructive criticism on draft sections, so that you can revise them and bring them together to form a coherent whole. This builds upon your earlier experience in the small essays for the supervised study modules. It also gives you a sense of what’s involved in preparing a PhD thesis, which might be your next step.
Our distinctive research environment offers an interdisciplinary outlook and a focus on methodological and metaphilosophical reflection. We're a leading center for Ludwig Wittgenstein and the Wittgensteinian tradition, and other staff research specialisms include philosophy of language and linguistics, philosophy of science, environmental philosophy, metaphilosophy, experimental philosophy, philosophy of literature, film and the arts, and phenomenology.
Assessment
We'll assess each module through essays or other forms of written coursework. For each supervised study module, you’ll submit a package containing the two best essays from the three that you have prepared, having refined them with advice from your tutor.
For the dissertation module, you’ll submit a more major piece of work of 12,000–15,000 words. Your credits for this module will include your contribution in the postgraduate workshops.
Your degree result will be based on your marks for all your modules and your dissertation.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.1
Degree Subject
Humanities
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.1 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Humanities
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 7.0 overall with minimum 7.0 in Writing and 6.0 in Listening, Reading and Speaking
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2025/26 are:
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UK Students: £10,675
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International Students: £22,700
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.
Employability
After the Course
This MRes is a great route into PhD research, which is the first step towards a career in higher education. You can make your PhD application during your MRes or after you have finished.
However, this MRes is also perfect if you don’t yet have fixed career plans or are simply not content to end your studies with a BA. The course prepares you for many different careers because it fosters independence, initiative, personal time management and the ability to work with a mentor. It hones your intellectual and communication skills, and your ability to empathise with the views of others.
Careers
Example of careers that you could enter include:
- Computing
- Politics
- Journalism
- Teaching
- Charity and environmental work
Discover more on our Careers webpages.