You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent. If your degree is not in philosophy, we may ask you to provide a sample of your writing to demonstrate writing and research capability.
Many students gain admission to our programme with prior training in philosophy. However, the pathways within our programme also make it particularly suited to students with non-philosophy backgrounds (eg physics for the Philosophy of Physics pathway; maths for the Logic and Philosophy of Mathematics pathway; psychology or biology for the Philosophy of Biological and Cognitive Sciences pathway; or politics or sociology for the Political Philosophy pathway).
If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level C.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels .
Apply via our online application system. For further information, please see the guidance for how to apply on our webpages.
Overseas applicants: 12 August 2027. Home applicants: 9 September 2027.
Please note that due to high demand, some programmes may close earlier than advertised. Early applications are advised to avoid disappointment. Places are limited and allocated on a continuous basis from September 2026 until all places are filled.
The MA in Philosophy will give you a thorough grounding in the core knowledge and skills required for philosophical research, while also allowing you to pursue your own philosophical interests in depth.
Bristol ranks as one of the top ten philosophy departments in the UK in the Philosophical Gourmet Report . Our staff have diverse research interests and expertise across a wide range of philosophical areas.
You can choose from different options, covering various areas in philosophy, matching the expertise in our department.
For all pathways, the programme consists of six taught units and a dissertation of up to 10,000 words.
The Philosophical Foundations unit is mandatory for all MA pathways. This unit equips students with analytical tools and argumentative strategies essential for graduate-level study and research in philosophy, as well as exposing students to some of the key ideas, positions and arguments in value theory, epistemology, metaphysics and meta-philosophy. Some of the skills learned in this unit are transferable into a vocational context and as such are highly valued by employers.
Each pathway has between one and four core units for that pathway. For the Logic and Philosophy of Mathematics and the Philosophy of Physics pathways, these include advanced units in Mathematics and Physics, so it is recommended that only students with significant relevant mathematical experience enter onto these pathways.
The remainder of the taught element of your programme is made up of optional units. There will be a choice of available specialist units. You also have the option to undertake guided independent research into an agreed topic of your choice, working with a project supervisor.
Following the taught element, you will work on a dissertation on an approved topic in line with your pathway specialisation, with most of the work on this taking place over the summer. This is your chance to produce an extended piece of original philosophical research, guided by one-on-one supervisions.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MA in Philosophy.
| QS 综合 | 院校 | 学制 | 学费 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 第 8 位 | 伦敦大学学院University College London | 1年 | 36800英镑/年 |
| 第 32 位 | 多伦多大学University of Toronto | 3 个学期（全日制），注册序列 FWS；5 年（非全日制），注册序列 FWS | - |
| 第 37 位 | 伦敦国王学院King's College London | 1年 | 34000英镑/年 |
| 第 40 位 | 曼彻斯特大学The University of Manchester | 1年 | 29800英镑/年 |
| 第 45 位 | 不列颠哥伦比亚大学University of British Columbia | 平均 1.7 年（最短 1.7 / 最长 2.7） | 10,081.65 加元（国际生首年学费；本国生 5,738.52） |
| 第 60 位 | 阿姆斯特丹大学University of Amsterdam | 1年 | 25900欧元/年 |
| 第 68 位 | 伯明翰大学University of Birmingham | 1年 | 28080英镑/年 |
| 第 68 位 | 华威大学The University of Warwick | 1年 | 25340英镑/年 |