- 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.
- Detailed studies of these complementary disciplines (philosophy and literature) and of literary theory through a programme delivered with the Schools of English and Modern European Languages.
This course is available through the following application route(s)
The Grad Dip in Philosophy and Literature is designed to offer graduates of either philosophy or literature (English and other literatures) the opportunity to study the many areas of overlap between the disciplines.
- Unique combination of philosophy and literature
- Close attention from dissertation supervisor
- Vibrant academic and social community
Our Graduate Diploma in Philosophy and Literature programme is aimed at students who wish to deepen their knowledge of the core areas of philosophy and literature at graduate level. It provides a pathway to enter the associated MA programme. It aims to provide an integration of literary theory and text-based work with the philosophical implications of the area. 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
Graduates of UCD School of Philosophy have continued to have successful academic careers in Ireland, Europe and the US. Others are prominent playwrights, journalists, human-rights activists, broadcasters, film-makers and musicians. A small number of our graduates continue into PhD programmes both at UCD and abroad.
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.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PHIL40410 | Philosophy & Literature | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of: -Students should select 2 modules from Philosophy Option Grp |
PHIL41240 | John Henry Newman - Philosophical Perspectives | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of: -Students should select 2 modules from Philosophy Option Grp |
PHIL41280 | Feminist & Gender Theory | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of: -Students should select 2 modules from Philosophy Option Grp |
PHIL41510 | Ethics in Public Life | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of: -Students should select 2 modules from Philosophy Option Grp |
PHIL41810 | Critique, Destruction & Deconstruction | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of: -Students should select 2 modules from Philosophy Option Grp |
PHIL41840 | Invention of the Modern Self | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of: -Students should select 2 modules from Philosophy Option Grp |
PHIL41890 | Authenticity and Implicit Attitudes | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of: -Students should select 2 modules from Philosophy Option Grp |
PHIL40250 | Merleau-Ponty's Phenomenology of Perception | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of: -Students should select 2 modules from Philosophy Option Grp |
PHIL40970 | Topics in Philosophy of Mind and Cognition | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of: -Students should select 2 modules from Philosophy Option Grp |
PHIL41320 | Topics in Continental Philos | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of: -Students should select 2 modules from Philosophy Option Grp |
PHIL41330 | Philosophy of Time | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of: -Students should select 2 modules from Philosophy Option Grp |
PHIL41880 | Reading Nietzsche | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of: Students should select 3 modules from the Literature Option Group. Students can only take one module from Humanities (HUM) and English, Drama and Film (EDF). |
ENG41640 | Joyce, Ulysses | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of: Students should select 3 modules from the Literature Option Group. Students can only take one module from Humanities (HUM) and English, Drama and Film (EDF). |
GRC40330 | Exploring New Worlds | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of: Students should select 3 modules from the Literature Option Group. Students can only take one module from Humanities (HUM) and English, Drama and Film (EDF). |
IRFL40170 | The Narrative Art | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of: Students should select 3 modules from the Literature Option Group. Students can only take one module from Humanities (HUM) and English, Drama and Film (EDF). |
SLL40230 | Introduction to Cultural Theory | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of: Students should select 3 modules from the Literature Option Group. Students can only take one module from Humanities (HUM) and English, Drama and Film (EDF). |
EDF40060 | Digital Methods | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of: Students should select 3 modules from the Literature Option Group. Students can only take one module from Humanities (HUM) and English, Drama and Film (EDF). |
GRC40290 | The Plays of Euripides | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of: Students should select 3 modules from the Literature Option Group. Students can only take one module from Humanities (HUM) and English, Drama and Film (EDF). |
HUM40040 | Creative Approaches | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)3 of: Students should select 3 modules from the Literature Option Group. Students can only take one module from Humanities (HUM) and English, Drama and Film (EDF). |
SPAN40360 | Historical Memory in Spain | Spring | 10 |
You will need:
- An undergraduate degree in either Philosophy or a Literature.
- If the undergraduate degree is in literature, you should have at least two courses in literary theory, each with a grade of at least B- (60%).
- An overall grade of B- (60%) in your undergraduate degree (to be confirmed by a transcript);
- Two academic letters of reference;
- A sample of philosophical or literary-theoretical writing, such as an undergraduate essay.
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: No
Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No
How to Apply
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Graduate Diploma Philosophy & Literature:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | W305 Graduate Diploma Philosophy & Literature Graduate Diploma Full-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught Not available to International applicantsApply |
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | W306 Graduate Diploma Philosophy & Literature Graduate Diploma Part-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught Not available to International applicantsApply |
* you can change options at the top of the page