Course options
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Qualification
Master of Arts (with Honours) - MA (Hons)
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Location
Main Site
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Study mode
Full time
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Start date
08-SEP-25
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Duration
4 Years
Course summary
The MA (Hons) in Philosophy will familiarise you with many of the views and arguments that are discussed in the philosophical tradition, including both historical and contemporary work. It will also provide you with the means of rationally and independently assessing arguments. Studying philosophy is about acquiring skills of criticism and analysis, of clear thinking and principled debate.
During your studies, you will explore some of the most fundamental questions that human beings have asked about their own existence and the world they inhabit. For example: what differentiates truth from falsehood, and reality from appearance? How can we acquire knowledge of the world, and what can prevent us from doing so? Are we really free in our decisions and actions, or is freedom an illusion? How should we behave toward others, and what could settle that question? What kind of structure would an ideal society have? You may also encounter more specific philosophical issues that arise in the world today, relating to matters as varied as climate change, artificial intelligence, social media ethics, and bioethics.
Course details
The MA (Hons) in Philosophy is a four-year course run by the Department of Philosophy. During your degree, you will be trained in precise and effective reading, as well as clear thinking and writing required for philosophical study.
In the first two years, as a sub-honours student, you will study some of the great texts in philosophy and be introduced to the fundamental questions discussed by philosophers from ancient Greece to the present day, exploring both theoretical and practical questions. This will lay the foundations required for an Honours degree.
Careers
Training in the sort of precise and effective reading, and clear thinking and writing, required for all philosophical study, makes a good preparation for many careers. The critical thinking developed by the study of philosophy is highly valued by many employers.
Recent Philosophy MA graduates have entered careers in:
- non-profit organisations (including Oxfam and Charityworks)
- banking
- management consultancy
- retail area management
- local government
- government organisations (including the NHS)
- television production
- publishing
- teaching.
Many Philosophy graduates go on to study in other areas, for example, law conversion courses and teacher training.
Application deadline
29 January
Tuition fees
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- Iceland
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- Kiribati
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- Laos
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- Libya
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macedonia
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mali
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Northern Ireland
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Palestinian Authority
- Panama
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- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico
- Qatar
- Republic of Ireland
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- San Marino
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Saudi Arabia
- Scotland
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- Somalia
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- South Korea
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- Spain
- Sri Lanka
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- St. Kitts & Nevis
- St. Lucia
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Swaziland
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Taiwan
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- Tanzania
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- Trinidad & Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Turkmenistan
- Tuvalu
- UAE
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拢 30,160per year
Tuition fees shown are for indicative purposes and may vary. Please check with the institution for most up to date details.
Entry requirements
Choose a qualification
QUALIFICATION TYPE
A level : AAA
Subjects excluded: Citizenship Studies, Critical Thinking, Global Perspectives and Research (GPR) and General Studies.
VIEW MOREUniversity information
University of St Andrews
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University League Table
4th
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Campus address
University of St Andrews, College Gate, St Andrews, KY16 9AJ, Scotland
Subject rankings
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Subject ranking
4th out of 47 2
9th out of 26 2
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Entry standards
/ Max 210209 99%2nd
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Graduate prospects
/ Max 10086.0 86%6th
4 -
Student satisfaction
/ Max 43.37 84%6th
1 -
Entry standards
/ Max 193169 88%5th
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Graduate prospects
/ Max 10080.0 80%9th
4 -
Student satisfaction
/ Max 43.53 88%2nd
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