2025-26 entry

Philosophy MA

School of History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities, Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Study the areas of philosophy that matter to you with this highly flexible course. You'll develop a deeper understanding of philosophy and enhance your career prospects, with the freedom to explore the areas that most interest and inspire you.
  • Start date
    September 2025
  • Duration
    1 year
  • Attendance
    Full-time

Explore this course:

    Apply now for 2025 entry or register your interest to find out about postgraduate study and events at the University of Sheffield.

    3 Philosophy students around a table

    Course description

    This degree course offers you enormous freedom as you develop a deeper understanding of philosophy. Whether your first degree was in philosophy or you are transitioning from another discipline, this degree will develop your philosophical understanding and enhance your research skills.

    Our extensive range of optional modules allows you to focus on a particular area of philosophy in great detail, or to explore widely across the discipline.

    Our MA is designed both to prepare students who wish to continue to a PhD (as many do), and to provide skills and knowledge to enhance career prospects outside of academia.

    Modules

    A selection of modules is available each year - some examples are below. There may be changes before you start your course. From May of the year of entry, formal programme regulations will be available in our Programme Regulations Finder.

    Core modules:

    Dissertation

    Contact department for more information.

    60 credits
    Philosophy Research Seminar

    This module is focused on the careful examination and discussion of significant works in philosophy. The module aims to cover the full range of philosophy with texts being selected across different philosophical areas. The aim is then to familiarise students with these different areas and thereby give the students a broad understanding of the issues that are discussed within philosophy. The teaching format is in person discussion where the discussion will be largely conducted in small groups but will include some open class discussion.

    30 credits

    Optional Modules:

    Guided Reading

    This module is intended to enable students to develop a research project of their own, in a flexible manner. Each student on the module will be assigned a supervisor, with whom they will meet for one hour every two weeks. They will also be encouraged to attend those reading groups run in the department (of which there are typically about 10 per semester) which fit with their project. The objectives of the module are (i) to identify a suitable research topic, in consultation with the supervisor (ii) to develop this project through supervisions and drafts (iii) to complete the project.

    30 credits
    Politics and Value

    This module aims to introduce students to topics within political philosophy and ethics broadly conceived. Students will be encouraged to audit one of the following modules:

    1. Political Resistance2. Global Justice

    Teaching will then be by the way of weekly hour seminars [organised on the basis of the audited module] and supervision.

    30 credits
    Epistemology and Metaphysics

    This module aims to introduce students to topics within epistemology and metaphysics broadly conceived. Students will be encourages to audit one of the following modules:

    1. Ethics and Belief2. Bodies and Souls3. Freewill and Religion4. Memory and the Self



    Teaching will then be by way of weekly hour seminars [organised on the basis of audited module) and supervision

    30 credits
    Ethics and Society

    This module aims to introduce students to topics within ethics and social philosophy broadly conceived. Students will be encouraged to audit one of the following modules:

    1. People, Organisations and Technology2. Moral Theory and Moral Psychology3. Feminist and Queer Studies

    30 credits
    History of Philosophy

    This module aims to introduce students to topics within the history of philosophy broadly conceived. Students will be encouraged to audit one of the following modules:

    1. Ancient Chinese Philosophy 2. Plato's Symposium

    Teaching will then be by way of weekly hour seminars [organised on the basis of the audited module] and supervision

    30 credits
    Mind and Language

    This module aims to introduce students to topics within the philosophies of mind and language broadly conceived. Students will be encouraged to audit one of the following modules:

    1. Pain, Pleasure and the Emotions2. Language, Speakers and the World

    Teaching will then be by the way of weekly hour seminars [organised on the basis of the audited module] and supervision

    30 credits
    PhD Proposal

    To provide both general and subject-specific research training for those intending to pursue research in philosophy or political theory. There is a short course dealing with topics such as study and writing skills, choosing and planning a research project; conducting a literature search, delivering a seminar presentation and chairing a discussion. Students also meet with their research supervisor to plan and produce a detailed PhD proposal and annotated bibliography (6,000 to 8,000 words), outlining their proposed project and locating it in relation to established positions in the discipline.

    30 credits

    The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we will inform students and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.

    Open days

    Interested in postgraduate taught study? Register your interest in studying at Sheffield or attend an event throughout the year to find out what makes studying at here special.

    Duration

    1 year full time

    Teaching

    We'll support you in thinking carefully, analytically and creatively about core and contemporary debates in a range of philosophical traditions, as well as key debates in cognitive studies and political theory.

    You'll learn through small-group discussions in research seminars and tutorials which accompany the lecture-led modules. These discussions give you the opportunity to explore module reading materials, as well as your own philosophical interests.

    We provide one-to-one supervision for your dissertation and your philosophy essays, to help you develop as an independent researcher.

    Assessment

    For the philosophy modules, you're assessed by a long essay assignment. You'll have the opportunity to develop your ideas and draft your work with detailed feedback from your module convenor.

    On the dissertation module, you'll develop a longer piece of philosophical work, with detailed feedback from your dissertation supervisor.

    Your career

    Our MA is designed equally to prepare students who wish to continue to a PhD in Philosophy (as many do) or to enhance career prospects outside of academia. 

    We offer support and advice for students who decide to apply for a PhD and our postgraduate training seminars include sessions on PhD funding and on non-academic jobs for philosophers. 

    For those interested in non-academic career routes, this course will help you develop and enhance a range of crucial transferable skills (for example, research writing, project organization, critical thinking) while developing a deeper understanding of the many fascinating and important questions at the heart of philosophical inquiry. These skills will put you in a strong position when it comes to finding employment. 

    Our graduates work in teaching, law, social work, computing, the civil service, journalism, paid charity work, business, insurance and accountancy. 

    “I could not have achieved my successful career progression without my postgraduate degree and the support I received from the University of Sheffield. My degree has enabled me to develop my confidence about my own abilities, and enhance my writing and qualitative data analysis skills. It taught me how to think and write in a way which I had never done before, with such precision, determination and belief in my own research and scrutiny of such.”

    Katie Griffin-Pearce
    Policy Officer, Durham County Council
    Postgraduate Philosophy Student 

    School

    School of History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities

    In the School of History, Philosophy and Digital Humanities, we interrogate some of the most significant and pressing aspects of human life, offering new perspectives and tackling globally significant issues.

    As a postgraduate Philosophy student you’ll be taught by philosophers who engage in cutting-edge research across a wide range of philosophical disciplines including epistemology, ethics, social, political and environmental philosophy, metaphysics, philosophy of the mind and cognitive science among others.

    The diversity of our research expertise allows us to offer programmes which are truly interdisciplinary and flexible and create a thriving research community where students and staff come together to discuss topics, explore new ideas and expand their knowledge in a supportive environment.

    We’ll also provide you with opportunities to use your philosophical knowledge to engage with real world problems and make a difference in the community through projects like our award-winning Philosophy in the City programme, which enables students to teach philosophy in the local community to audiences of all ages.

    Our Centre for Engaged Philosophy pursues research into questions of fundamental political and social importance, from criminal justice and social inclusion to climate ethics, all topics that are covered in our teaching. Their events are open to all students and there are opportunities to get involved in event planning and delivery.  

    Our highly interdisciplinary Hang Seng Centre for Cognitive Studies supports collaborative research on fundamental issues concerning the nature of cognition. With established collaborative links with many universities in the UK, Europe, and the United States, the Centre organises seminars, workshops, and conferences to address core questions in cognitive science. Events are open to all students and there are opportunities to get involved in event planning and delivery.   
     

    Facilities

    Our students get to make the most of the University's facilities across campus. Explore some of the teaching, library and social spaces you'll be able to visit as an arts and humanities student.

    Student profiles

    Can Du, MA Philosophy

    Philosophy helps me to understand the world from a new perspective

    Can Du MA Philosophy

    Can Du is an MA Philosophy student from China. She plans to go on to PhD study once she has finished her MA.

    Entry requirements

    Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in a relevant subject.

    Subject requirements

    Your degree should be in an Arts and Humanities or Social Sciences subject.

    View an indicative list of degree titles we would consider

    We also consider a wide range of international qualifications:

    Entry requirements for international students

    We assess each application on the basis of the applicant’s preparation and achievement as a whole. We may accept applicants whose qualifications don’t meet the published entry criteria but have other experience relevant to the course.

    The lists of required degree subjects and modules are indicative only.  Sometimes we may accept subjects or modules that aren’t listed, and sometimes we may not accept subjects or modules that are listed, depending on the content studied.

    English language requirements

    IELTS 7 (with 6.5 in each component) or University equivalent

    Pathway programme for international students

    If you're an international student who does not meet the entry requirements for this course, you have the opportunity to apply for a pre-masters programme in Business, Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Sheffield International College. This course is designed to develop your English language and academic skills. Upon successful completion, you can progress to degree level study at the University of Sheffield.

    If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school/department.

    Fees and funding

    If you qualify, you may be able to get financial support through the University’s scholarships and fee waivers. 

    School postgraduate funding opportunities page

    Alumni discount

    Save up to £2,500 on your course fees

    Are you a Sheffield graduate? You could save up to £2,500 on your postgraduate taught course fees, subject to eligibility.

    Apply

    You can apply now using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.

    Apply now

    Contact

    Start a conversation with us – you can get in touch by email, telephone or online chat.

    Contacts for prospective students

    Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.

    Our student protection plan

    Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.