Philosophy

DPhil in Philosophy

Course Code | 001140 

The DPhil is the Faculty’s doctoral research degree for which students are expected to write a thesis of up to 75,000 words. Because of the Faculty’s size it is able to offer expert supervision in almost any area of doctoral research.

The Faculty has a unique and vibrant research culture. The results of the Research Assessment Exercise show that Oxford Philosophy has more than twice as much research at the highest quality level than any other philosophy department in the UK. There are roughly 100 full-time graduate students in Philosophy.

The Faculty’s externally-funded research activity has increased strikingly over recent years, and continues to grow.

Current research centres include:

• the Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics;
  
• the Future of Humanity Institute;
  
• the Programme on the Ethics of the New Biosciences;
  
• the Wellcome Centre for Neuroethics.
  

There are also active research groups in many other areas of philosophy. Those in ancient philosophy, moral philosophy, philosophy of logic and language, philosophy of physics, metaphysics and epistemology are particularly renowned. 

MLitt in Philosophy

The MLitt is similar to the DPhil except that a thesis of only 50,000 words is required. However, applications for the MLitt are only considered in exceptional circumstances and students are rarely admitted to the course.

BPhil in Philosophy

Course Code | 001170 

The BPhil is an intellectually demanding course, presupposing an undergraduate background in philosophy (or equivalent). It is regarded both as a training for the DPhil and a basis for teaching a range of philosophical subjects and requires sustained and focused work over two years.

It is not suitable as a conversion course for students changing to philosophy from another subject and it cannot be studied part-time or externally.

• Length of programme: Twenty-one months
  

MSt in Ancient Philosophy

Course Code | 003820 

This course allows students to specialise in at least two areas of ancient philosophy, and to write a thesis of up to 15,000 words. Students on the course are required to reach a certain standard in ancient Greek, for which specialist language training is provided.

Students who pass the MSt have the opportunity to apply to continue to the Faculty’s DPhil programme.

• Length of programme: Nine months
  
• Core and optional courses: Candidates are required to offer two subjects, one chosen from the list of undergraduate papers in ancient philosophy, the other from a prescribed list

MSt in Philosophy of Physics

Course Code | 001165 

This course consists of core Philosophy of Physics and Philosophy of Science components and one elective component. Students are examined on the basis of essays. It should be of particular interest to applicants whose primary expertise lies in Physics, rather than Philosophy. Students who pass the MSt have the opportunity to continue to the Faculty's DPhil programme.

• Length of programme: Nine months
• Elective component: Students are required to choose a core subject in contemporary Philosophy from an approved list
  

MSt in Philosophy

Course Code | 001160 

The Master of Studies (MSt) is a nine-month taught course. The entry requirements for the MSt are the same as for the BPhil. However, the Philosophy Graduate Studies Committee considers applications for the MSt only in exceptional circumstances and rarely admits students to this course.

For more information on these courses please contact the Graduate Studies Administrator.

The Philosophy Centre in the Radcliffe Infirmary building on Woodstock Road acts as a focal point for the Faculty’s activities and contains, as well as lecturing and teaching space, a Graduate Computing Room and a Graduate Common Room. A wireless network runs throughout the Centre.

The Centre also contains the Philosophy Library, with over 25,000 volumes, a collection of approximately 80 periodicals, online access to many philosophical databases, and librarians trained in the specific bibliographic needs of philosophers. Many college libraries also have extensive holdings in philosophy.

Each term more than a dozen graduate classes and research seminars are organised by Faculty members in which graduate students are full and important participants.

Graduates are encouraged to organise their own seminars and reading groups, and they also run two societies: one invites distinguished speakers from the UK and around the world, while another gives graduates the opportunity to present papers to a graduate audience.

Each year there is an Oxford Graduate Philosophy Conference, in which most graduate philosophy students participate in some way.

The Faculty runs a Graduate Teaching Scheme to provide teaching experience for those DPhil students who intend to pursue an academic career. 

Oxford is one of the world’s great centres for philosophy, and is widely recognised to be amongst the best. More than one hundred and fifty professional philosophers work in the University and its colleges, between them covering a vast range of subjects within philosophy. Many are international leaders in their fields.

Information on Academic Staff Profiles

The Faculty appoints a Placement Officer who, in conjunction with the Assistant Administrator, runs the Faculty’s Placement Scheme. The Placement Officer provides expert advice to students applying for academic jobs.

The Placement Scheme assists graduates by sending out application materials on their behalf and subsidising postage costs.

The majority of our graduates go on to academic careers in philosophy. However, others have pursued non-philosophical academic careers, or careers outside academia, including banking, information technology, law, management consultancy, teaching and public service.

Information on Graduate Destinations