This degree gives you access to the very wide range of philosophical topics and expertise available in the Department. It's an excellent preparation for research in philosophy, as well as being an attractive postgraduate course in itself. This programme also offers a specialist pathway focusing on public policy – see MA Philosophy (Public Policy).
The course is designed to give you the competence and understanding to pursue doctoral research in philosophy, while also acquiring professional skills needed for a broad range of careers. Alongside your philosophy modules you will receive personalised subject-specific research and professional skills training through a practice-based skills module.
The emphasis in the core philosophy modules is on frontier research. Religion, Ethics and Practical Philosophy and Metaphysics, Language and Mind are two team-taught modules in which the department’s top researchers will introduce you to their current area of work. Recent subjects include religious expression, empathy in medicine, social epistemology and linguistic idealism. You will also write a dissertation — an extended piece of independent research conducted under the guidance of an academic expert.
You can use your elective modules to tailor the programme towards your philosophical interests – be that political and social philosophy, ethics and religion, or metaphysics and mind. Or you can add something new to your studies, like Indian philosophy or philosophy of film. Besides the MA-level electives, students can also choose a course from our third year undergraduate provision to take at MA level (for an indicative list please see here). Students following the Public Policy pathway have the option to take an elective from another department.
You will actively participate in the research activities of the Department as part of your Research and Professional Skills module. You will have a chance to lead one of the fortnightly Insights workshops with a world-renowned visiting speaker and will contribute to the staff work-in-progress seminar, by giving feedback on the work of our academics. You will gain confidence and knowledge through being part of our research community.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| RELIGION, ETHICS AND PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY (PHIL704) | 30 |
| RESEARCH AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS (PHIL703) | 15 |
| Optional modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| CONSCIOUSNESS (PHIL709) | 15 |
| AESTHETICS (PHIL716) | 15 |
| PHILOSOPHY AND SOCIAL CHANGE (PHIL771) | 15 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| METAPHYSICS, LANGUAGE AND MIND (PHIL705) | 30 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Over the summer you will continue to work on and complete your dissertation.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| M.A. DISSERTATION (PHIL706) | 60 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Teaching is delivered through a combination of seminars and workshops held on campus. Depending on which module options are taken, there may be lectures and separate seminar sessions scheduled.
Class sizes for master’s programmes in the Department of Philosophy tend to be small, and a typical class in Philosophy will include between 8-10 students.
You will mainly be assessed by a combination of formative and summative coursework. This will take a number of different forms, including essays, essay plans, research proposals, a reflective journal and a dissertation.
In addition, you will be assessed by presentations in certain modules. Other assessment formats may apply also depending on the options modules taken.
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
The Department of Philosophy is based in the School of the Arts, although teaching will take place across the campus. Our staff and students have created an environment where critical, independent thinking flourishes, in a city that has a long tradition of welcoming radical thinkers and philosophers. Our friendly, down-to-earth atmosphere makes the exchange of ideas enjoyable, as well as intellectually stimulating.
Learn more about studying Philosophy MA at the University of Liverpool.
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
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Our programmes aim to equip you with the general and widely applicable analytical, argumentative, and problem-solving skills valued by employers. By placing emphasis on the intersection between philosophical research and curatorial practice, this programme especially equips graduates for further academic research and an international career in the arts.
Some of our postgraduate students have gone on to a career in academic Philosophy, other career destinations of our graduates include business, curating, cultural management, the media, the civil service and education.
Our campus Career Studio is a space for students and graduates to drop into and talk to a career coach. Career coaches are highly trained to help no matter what stage you are at in your career planning. You can access support to find and apply for full-time and part-time roles, placements, internships and graduate schemes. You will also find the help you need if you have a start-up idea or want to create a business plan. You can explore the world of work, prepare for job interviews, and access careers events and workshops. The Career Studio is open Monday to Friday from 10am-5pm, simply drop in at a time that works for you.
We develop our programmes with employers in mind. You will be supported to enhance your long-term employment prospects as you learn. We do this by exposing you to professionals, a variety of sectors and supporting you to work collaboratively with others to develop transferable skills. You are equipped with a clearer view of what to focus on in your area of interest, and to reflect on your studies. Our digital employability tools give you a tech-enhanced curriculum experience and make it easy for you to prepare for the world of work. You can use tools like the Handshake platform to connect with employers and message the Career Studio 24/7.
You can start building good professional networks by attending events and employability activities. Our events are designed to develop your skills and expose you to many different employers, as well as to help you make contacts in your field. We help you improve your confidence when speaking to employers and give you access to unique opportunities. Our networking events also boost your understanding of the competencies and skills that employers are looking for in their recruitment process, giving you a competitive edge.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Full-time place, per year - £11,700
Part-time place, per year - £5,850
Full-time place, per year - £24,100
Part-time place, per year - £12,050
Fees stated are for the 2025-26 academic year.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
You can pay your tuition fees in instalments.
All or part of your tuition fees can be funded by external sponsorship.
International applicants who accept an offer of a place will need to pay a tuition fee deposit.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about paying for your studies.
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.
If you’re a University of Liverpool graduate starting this master’s degree with us, you could be eligible to receive a loyalty discount of up to £2,500 off your master’s tuition fees.
If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for a fee discount of up to £4,500. You’ll need to demonstrate an active interest in global, community and environmental issues to be considered.
If you’re a UK University of Liverpool graduate joining a master’s degree with us, you could be eligible to receive £3,000 off your tuition fees. You must have graduated in the last two years and received a widening access scholarship during your undergraduate studies.
Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.
If you’re a British Muslim, active within a Muslim community and dedicated to bringing positive change to society, you could apply to potentially have the full cost of your master’s tuition fees covered by an Aziz Foundation Scholarship.
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| Postgraduate entry requirements | We accept a 2:2 honours degree from a UK university, or an equivalent academic qualification from a similar non-UK institution. This degree should be in Philosophy or a closely related Arts and Humanities subject. |
| International qualifications |
Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our entry requirements. Completing your Foundation Certificate, such as that offered by the University of Liverpool International College, means you're guaranteed a place on your chosen course. |
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.
We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 19, writing 19, reading 19 and speaking 20. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted. |
| Duolingo English Test | 125 overall, with writing not less than 125, speaking and reading not less than 115, and listening not below 110. For academic year 2025/26 only, we will also accept the production, literacy, comprehension and conversation score set: 120 overall, with no component below 105. |
| Pearson PTE Academic | 61 overall, with no component below 59 |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 overall, with no skill below 65 |
| PSI Skills for English | B2 Pass with Merit in all bands |
| INDIA Standard XII | National Curriculum (CBSE/ISC) - 75% and above in English. Accepted State Boards - 80% and above in English. |
| WAEC | C6 or above |
Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.
Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.
| Your most recent IELTS score | Pre-sessional English course length | On campus or online |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 6.0 | 6 weeks | On campus |
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 10 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 6.0 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 | 12 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 5.5 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 | 20 weeks | On campus |
| 5.0 overall, with no more than one component below 5.0, and no component below 4.5 | 30 weeks | On campus |
| 4.5 overall, with no more than one component below 4.5, and no component below 4.0 | 40 weeks | On campus |
If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.
Please see our guide to Pre-sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0, for further details.
Discover more about the city and University.
Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.
To fully immerse yourself in the university experience living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.
Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.
Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.
If you have any questions about the course content, please get in touch with the programme director.
Last updated 29 April 2025 / / Programme terms and conditions