MA Philosophy

Programme co-ordinator: Tristan Nash

The MA Philosophy is a distance-learning programme designed for those with a broad interest in core areas of philosophical concern, such as mind and body, moral philosophy, philosophy of religion, and the history of philosophy.

By focusing on such areas of Philosophy the MA Philosophy services the needs of graduates who wish to build upon their first degree in Philosophy or a cognate discipline, e.g. as preparation for a research degree.

The programme also meets the needs of teachers of A-level Philosophy, in that its modules overlap core parts of the A-level Philosophy curriculum, such as Philosophy of Religion, Ethics, and History of Philosophy (covered in the module The Philosophy of Philosophy).

However the MA Philosophy is sufficiently broad in extent to be also suitable for anyone who is looking to broaden their acquaintance with, and understanding of, philosophy as it is practiced in the English speaking world today.

The MA Philosophy is a modular programme. In part I, students take six 20-credit modules. In part II, students are required to write a dissertation.

Part I Modules available:

• Philosophical Research Skills
• Philosophy of Religion
• Moral Philosophy
• Mind and Body
• The Philosophy of Philosophy
• Aesthetics
• Environmental Philosophy
• Knowledge and Culture

The first five are core modules and must be taken; the final three are optional modules, of which students should choose one.

Part II: The Dissertation (60 credits)

Click here for further details of all modules on the MA Philosophy programme.

What are your entry requirements?
Applicants for the MA Philosophy will normally be expected to have achieved at least a 2:1 degree in Philosophy or a cognate discipline (those with a 2:2 may be considered for entry to a Postgraduate Diploma in the first instance).

What if I do not have the required formal qualifications?
We are committed to providing access to Higher Education to those who have the ability to benefit from it. If you wish to apply for the MA Philosophy but do not have the required formal qualifications please let us know. We assess all such applications individually, and will take into account your personal, professional and/or educational experience.

Can I apply to study part time?
Yes. Please note that part time students are expected to complete the MA within 4 years.

Can I apply to study full time?
Not at present. We hope to be able to offer the MA on a full time basis in October 2012.

How much does the MA cost?
You will find details of fees here. If you have any queries relating to fees please address them to Mr Kim Reynolds. Examples of such queries would be: How much would I pay per year if I choose to study part-time? Can I pay the annual fee in instalments? Do I qualify as a home or international student for fee purposes?

Do you accept applications from anywhere in the world?
Yes.

How do I apply?
You may download an application form here.

Will I need to provide references?
Yes. We ask for two references on the application form. Don't be alarmed by this if you have been away from academia for a long time. What we really need is two references telling us about your skills and abilities, and suitability for the programme.

Do you accept applications at particular times of the year?
Yes. At present we have two registration dates per year: September and February. You are advised to apply in advance of these dates so as to allow time for your application to be processed (generally, the process takes approximately 2 to 3 months to complete).

Will I need to travel to Lampeter at any stage during my studies?
No, but you are most welcome to do so.

When are modules available?
All modules run over the course of a semester, either semester 1 (September – January), or semester 2 (February – June). Some modules may not be available in any given academic year.

How do I access the module materials?
The philosophy team aims to deliver all modules electronically, via the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE) by October 2012. Until then, modules may also be delivered through a printed module pack, or through a combination of printed module pack and the VLE.

The VLE used by the Faculty of Humanities is Moodle.

What are the study requirements?
All candidates are required to complete at least 40 credits per annum. Normally, all the coursework for a module should be completed by the end of the semester in which that module is taken.

What learning resources will be available to me as a distance learner?
Library services are available to all distance students who are registered with the University. Some further information available here.  The types of services provided include:

• Postal loans
• Photocopying
• Interlibrary Loans
• Access to Electronic Resources and Databases

Some of these services have associated charges. Please contact the Library for further details.

Will I need to buy any expensive books?
The core reading materials for each module will be provided, either in hardcopy or, more likely, electronically (usually in PDF format). As your studies progress you may wish to consult other materials (books and articles); books you may either buy yourself or borrow from the library, while articles may be obtained electronically, via Athens, or via interlibrary loans.

Do I have to finish one module before I can start another, or can I take two modules at the same time?
You may, if you wish, take two or more modules at the same time.

Will there be any exams?
No. All modules are assessed by coursework assignments. For many modules you will be asked to write an essay, though for some you may be required to write a book review, or a blog, or complete a set of exercises. As a general rule of thumb, for each 20-credit module you will be required to produce coursework totalling 5000 words.

Will I receive feedback on my assignments?
Yes, all assignments are returned with constructive comments made by the tutor.

What is required to pass the MA?
The MA is divided into two distinct parts. In Part 1, students complete six modules, each of which is worth 20 credits. In part 2, students complete a dissertation of not more than 20 000 words. To be awarded an MA degree, students are required to accumulate 180 credits, 120 from Part 1, and the remaining 60 from Part 2 (the dissertation).

It is possible be awarded a Master’s degree with Distinction, or with Merit.

To qualify for a Master’s degree with Distinction, students must achieve an overall mark of not less than 70%, having achieved a final mark of not less than 65% in Part 1 of the degree, and not less than 70% in Part II.

To qualify for a Master’s degree with Merit, students must achieve an overall mark of not less than 60%, having achieved a final mark of not less than 55% in Part 1 of the degree, and not less than 60% in Part II.

What if I pass a number of modules and then decide not to proceed with the rest of the MA?
Students who complete 60 credits may be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert), while those who successfully complete 120 credits may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip). It is possible to register for a PGCert or PGDip at the outset, if so required.