How can philosophy help us think about global problems, such as climate change, war, sweatshops, infectious disease, and gender injustice? Expand your knowledge, and prepare for your future at the forefront of global justice
You’ll learn about how ethical theories apply to a range of complex problems that span the globe rather than any single territory. You can take a traditional theoretical route, or a more practical route by selecting the placement module and practice-based dissertation.
We also offer a distance learning programme. Find out more about MSc Global Ethics and Justice by Distance Learning .
The course runs over 12 months full-time. You can also study this programme on a part-time basis.
September - December (11 weeks)
Full-time students normally take three modules per term in the first two terms.
There are two hours of seminar time per module per week, and an emphasis on guided independent learning.
One-third of your degree is your dissertation. You begin planning and submit a proposal for your dissertation during term one.
January - April (12 weeks)
Full-time students usually take three modules per term in the first two terms.
During term two you are assigned a supervisor for your dissertation and carry out research for your chosen topic.
May – August
There are no taught modules during term three. You’ll continue your research and writing ready to submit your dissertation at the end of August.
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To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree in Philosophy or a relevant subject. This can be a single or joint honours degree containing Philosophy.
If your undergraduate degree is in another subject, you can still apply. We consider every application on its merits, and we’ll consider applicants from diverse academic backgrounds. We also encourage you to submit a writing sample, especially if you’ve studied a non-humanities degree. This should be around 1500 words. Although it does not need to be a Philosophy essay, you should demonstrate your ability to present an argument and write in an analytical style. These skills are necessary for postgraduate level Philosophy .
If you have been out of academia for some time, we will accept a professional reference and one academic reference, rather than the standard requirement for two academic references.
English language requirements If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.