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MA Philosophy

MA (NFQ Level 9)
Scholarships Available
Sustainable Development Goals

This course is available through the following application route(s)

Duration:
1 Year
Attendance:
Full Time
Delivery:
On Campus
NFQ Level:
9 (90 credits)
Level:
Graduate Taught
Award:
Master of Arts
Next Intake:
September
Country Specific Entry Requirements:
Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.
Other School Leaving Requirements:
See www.ucd.ie/admissions
Curricular information is subject to change.

Duration:
2 Years
Attendance:
Part-Time
Delivery:
On Campus
NFQ Level:
9 (90 credits)
Level:
Graduate Taught
Award:
Master of Arts
Next Intake:
September
Country Specific Entry Requirements:
Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.
Other School Leaving Requirements:
See www.ucd.ie/admissions
Curricular information is subject to change.

Apply Now

You will develop your skills of critical analysis in both speech and writing, precision and clarity in your self-expression and a much more nuanced appreciation of central philosophical questions.

 

  • School considered in the world’s top ten for “20th Century Continental Philosophy”
  • School of Philosophy ranked in the top 100 QS rankings worldwide 2024
  • Two streams to choose from: (i) General; (ii) Contemporary European.
  • Students on General stream can take classes in contemporary European philosophy, analytic philosophy and ancient philosophy.

Our MA in Philosophy programme is aimed at students who wish to deepen their knowledge of philosophy at graduate level.  It is also intended to provide a good foundation of graduate work for students who wish to continue to more advanced graduate research.  The School of Philosophy encourages our students to be critical philosophical thinkers with the ability to reflect on current philosophical debates, history of philosophical thought and add their own contribution.  We aim to provide a learning environment that fosters collegiality and a pluralistic approach to the main areas of philosophy and encourages students to engage critically with questions.  As the largest teaching and research centre in philosophy in Ireland, the programme benefits from many world-leading figures in philosophy that give invited seminars and conferences throughout the year.  Small group seminars and participation in conferences and workshops are a key element of the programme design.  As such, the programme uses key approaches to teaching such as philosophical debates, critical reflections, essays and paper presentations.

About This Course

  • A deepened appreciation of the significance and value of ideas in and for internationalisation and globalisation
  • A grasp of how to pursue a career in academic life and the acquiring of transferable skills in research and organisation
  • A knowledge of how to write research proposals and attain funding from national and international organisations
  • An awareness of how to compose and structure philosophical writing for peer reviewed journals, book collections and monographs
  • An awareness of how to present and defend philosophical papers in seminars, workshops, conferences and other fora.
  • An enhanced awareness of how to work with texts, organise a thesis and set out extended philosophical arguments clearly and compellingly.
  • An enhanced awareness of the relevance of philosophy to other academic disciplines and to personal, professional and political life.
  • An extensive knowledge of library and online sources that facilitate research, including classical and foreign language sources.
  • Students on European Philosophy Stream: A detailed study of Kant and Post-Kantian philosophy including classical and contemporary work in Transcendental and Existential Phenomenology and Critical theory

Philosophy graduates work in diverse fields including business, public-sector management, marketing and advertising, media and broadcasting, recruitment and human resources.
Graduates of UCD School of Philosophy have continued to have successful academic careers in Ireland, UK and the US. Others are prominent playwrights, journalists, human-rights activists, broadcasters, film-makers and musicians.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PHIL40030 Dissertation Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - A)6 of:
Students should choose 6 modules from this Option Group. Students must consult their supervisor before taking PHIL41530 Reading and Research, then contact the School Office to be manually registered. You should not register for this module online.
 PHIL40410 Philosophy & Literature Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)6 of:
Students should choose 6 modules from this Option Group. Students must consult their supervisor before taking PHIL41530 Reading and Research, then contact the School Office to be manually registered. You should not register for this module online.
 PHIL40970 Topics in Philosophy of Mind and Cognition Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)6 of:
Students should choose 6 modules from this Option Group. Students must consult their supervisor before taking PHIL41530 Reading and Research, then contact the School Office to be manually registered. You should not register for this module online.
 PHIL41280 Feminist & Gender Theory Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)6 of:
Students should choose 6 modules from this Option Group. Students must consult their supervisor before taking PHIL41530 Reading and Research, then contact the School Office to be manually registered. You should not register for this module online.
 PHIL41320 Topics in Continental Philosophy: Phenomenology, Intersubjectivity & Embodiment Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)6 of:
Students should choose 6 modules from this Option Group. Students must consult their supervisor before taking PHIL41530 Reading and Research, then contact the School Office to be manually registered. You should not register for this module online.
 PHIL41510 Ethics in Public Life: Technology & Human Health Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)6 of:
Students should choose 6 modules from this Option Group. Students must consult their supervisor before taking PHIL41530 Reading and Research, then contact the School Office to be manually registered. You should not register for this module online.
 PHIL41810 Critique, Destruction & Deconstruction Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)6 of:
Students should choose 6 modules from this Option Group. Students must consult their supervisor before taking PHIL41530 Reading and Research, then contact the School Office to be manually registered. You should not register for this module online.
 PHIL41890 Topics in the Philosophy of Language Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)6 of:
Students should choose 6 modules from this Option Group. Students must consult their supervisor before taking PHIL41530 Reading and Research, then contact the School Office to be manually registered. You should not register for this module online.
 PHIL41980 Foundations of Cognitive Science Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)6 of:
Students should choose 6 modules from this Option Group. Students must consult their supervisor before taking PHIL41530 Reading and Research, then contact the School Office to be manually registered. You should not register for this module online.
 PHIL41530 Reading and Research Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - A)6 of:
Students should choose 6 modules from this Option Group. Students must consult their supervisor before taking PHIL41530 Reading and Research, then contact the School Office to be manually registered. You should not register for this module online.
 PHIL31230 Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)6 of:
Students should choose 6 modules from this Option Group. Students must consult their supervisor before taking PHIL41530 Reading and Research, then contact the School Office to be manually registered. You should not register for this module online.
 PHIL40250 Merleau-Ponty's Phenomenology of Perception Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)6 of:
Students should choose 6 modules from this Option Group. Students must consult their supervisor before taking PHIL41530 Reading and Research, then contact the School Office to be manually registered. You should not register for this module online.
 PHIL40420 The Good Society Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)6 of:
Students should choose 6 modules from this Option Group. Students must consult their supervisor before taking PHIL41530 Reading and Research, then contact the School Office to be manually registered. You should not register for this module online.
 PHIL40840 Autonomy as a Philosophical Problem Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)6 of:
Students should choose 6 modules from this Option Group. Students must consult their supervisor before taking PHIL41530 Reading and Research, then contact the School Office to be manually registered. You should not register for this module online.
 PHIL41240 John Henry Newman - Philosophical Perspectives Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)6 of:
Students should choose 6 modules from this Option Group. Students must consult their supervisor before taking PHIL41530 Reading and Research, then contact the School Office to be manually registered. You should not register for this module online.
 PHIL41950 Philosophy of Religion Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)6 of:
Students should choose 6 modules from this Option Group. Students must consult their supervisor before taking PHIL41530 Reading and Research, then contact the School Office to be manually registered. You should not register for this module online.
 PHIL41970 18th Century Moral Philosophy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)6 of:
Students should choose 6 modules from this Option Group. Students must consult their supervisor before taking PHIL41530 Reading and Research, then contact the School Office to be manually registered. You should not register for this module online.
 PHIL42000 Empirical Methods in the Mind Sciences Spring  10

UCD is strongly committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), embedding sustainability in teaching, research, operations, and community engagement. Sustainability principles are integrated into this programme, ensuring students graduate equipped to address global challenges. UCD’s leadership in this area is internationally recognised, ranking 47th globally and 27th in Europe in the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2026. UCD also leads impactful research in areas such as climate action, clean energy, and social equity, supported by a comprehensive Sustainability Strategy focused on reducing emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and fostering a sustainable campus culture.

Here are the SDGs which align more visibly with this programme:

 

SDG4 SDG5 SDG10 SDG 16

Ranier Abengana
MA Philosophy
International Graduate, 2022

The UCD School of Philosophy is a lively environment for anyone intending to do postgraduate studies. The teaching staff is composed of diverse and well-renowned experts in their respective areas, and they show a genuine commitment to the growth and wellbeing of postgraduate students. Despite being an international student, I felt a sense of belonging thanks to the welcoming community of students and staff. The diverse composition of the postgraduate body allowed me to expand my interests, and I felt immersed in a group where everyone was genuinely interested in the members’ respective concentrations. I was also able to take part in different postgraduate-led initiatives, such as the projects of the local chapter of Minorities and Philosophy (MAP).

Apart from the active involvement of the staff and the dedication of my fellow students, the success of the various endeavours I took part in is also attributable to the tireless support and accommodation provided by the administrative staff, who have likewise been very helpful in concerns that international students such as myself would have. The trust, support, and encouragement provided by everyone in this very welcoming community has not only motivated me to pursue a PhD, but has also created and sustained a feeling of the School being a home away from home.

Graduate Profile
Sean Murphy, PhD candidate,
Indiana University
Ireland’s (especially Dublin’s) rich literary history made it the ideal environment to work in. Whether it was in my flat or in the café, the pub, the library, the coast or the Wicklow hills, I always felt myself immersed in a swell of passionate humanists and explorers of ideas. I was surrounded by individuals who really cared about writing on and researching the depths of the human condition. What I liked most about UCD was the faculty in the School of Philosophy, and my fellow graduate students. The professors were all visibly interested in the success of their students. This was especially evident in my relationships with Brian O’Connor and Jim O’Shea. They both instilled in me the confidence that it takes to move on in philosophy, as I am now doing, as I prepare to begin my doctorate at Indiana University, a top-25 Philosophy programme in the US.

MA Philosophy (W021) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 10555
nonEU    fee per year - € 22600

MA Philosophy (W181) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 5710
nonEU    fee per year - € 11300

***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.

This programme is intended for students with a primary degree in Philosophy, or in another degree that has significant philosophical components; an upper second class honours, or international equivalent is required.

  • Candidates with an upper second class honours in a postgraduate conversion course such as a Higher Diploma in Philosophy may be considered.
  • Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.
  • These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes 
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No


The programme is suitable for those who have studied some philosophy as part of a university BA degree, and who would like the opportunity to continue their studies in a much more focused environment with like-minded peers and with more support from experienced staff.
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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MA Philosophy:

ROWCLASS Apply to
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W021
MA Philosophy
Master of Arts

Full-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Apply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
W181
MA Philosophy
Master of Arts

Part-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsApply
* you can change options at the top of the page
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