Philosophy Postgraduate Research Degrees

The Philosophy Subject offers three research degrees:

• MPhil by research: 1 year full-time (2 years part-time) with a dissertation of 30-40,000 words
• MLitt  by research: 2 years full-time (3 years part-time with a dissertation of 40-70,000 words
• PhD: 3 years full-time (5 years part-time) with a dissertation of 70-100,000 words

These degrees are examined by a viva in which the candidate answers questions on the dissertation. The dissertation is a piece of original research devoted to tackling a specific philosophical topic in depth. The viva is conducted by two examiners, an internal examiner from the university (who has not supervised the dissertation) and an invited external examiner from another institution.

We also welcome visiting research students who would like to spend sometime at Glasgow being supervised by one of our staff.

Supervision

Each research student works under the supervision of two members of staff familiar with the student's field of inquiry. Topics the department is able to supervise can be ascertained from looking at the research interests of the members of staff on the staff webpages. However, our department's teaching and research covers a broad area of analytic philosophy. In particular, we have research strengths in:

• Philosophy of Mind
  • Professor Fiona Macpherson
  • Dr David Bain
  • Dr Martin Smith
  • Professor Alan Weir
  • Dr Stephan Leuenberger
  • Dr Chris Lindsay
• Moral Philosophy
  • Dr Campbell Brown
  • Dr Michael Brady
  • Dr Ben Colburn
  • Dr Victoria Harrison
• Philosophy of Logic and Mathematics
  • Professor Alan Weir
  • Dr Adam Rieger
  • Dr Stephan Leuenberger
  • Dr Gary Kemp
  • Dr Martin Smith
• Epistemology
  
  • Dr Martin Smith
  • Dr Michael Brady
  • Professor Fiona Macpherson
  • Professor Alan Weir
• Philosophy of Language
  
  • Dr Gary Kemp
  • Dr David Bain
  • Professor Alan Weir
• History of Philosophy, in particular: Scottish Enlightenment and History of Analytic Philosophy
  • Professor Fraser Macbride
  • Dr Gary Kemp
  • Dr Chris Lindsay
• Metaphysics
  • Professor Fraser MacBride
  • Dr Stephan Leuenberger
• Political Philosophy
  • Dr Ben Colburn
• Philosophy of Religion
  
  • Dr Victoria Harrison

Our strength in the philosophy of mind is reflected in the fact that we hosts the Centre for the Study of Perceptual Experience that regularly sponsors seminars, workshops, conferences and reading groups. The department also hosts the Centre for Philosophy and Religion.

Prospective students are encouraged to discuss their research ideas with members of staff who are specialists in their fields of interest before applying and to contact the Director of Graduate Studies, Professor Alan Weir . Please indicate an area, if not a specific topic, of research interest when you do so.

Entry Requirements

Applicants for research degrees must have completed an undergraduate degree, normally at a minimum standard of upper second class (2:1), 3.0 GPA or the equivalent. 

We strongly recommend that prospective PhD students should complete a taught Masters degree before applying for the doctoral programme, and only in exceptional circumstances accept students without one.
 
If English is not your native language, you must provide proof of competence in English in the form of a certificate of English as a Foreign Language.  The College of Arts requires:

• IELTS 6.5 (with no subtest less than 6.5): ; MML: IELTS 7.5 (with no subtest less than 7.0)
• ibTOEFL 92 (with no subtest lower than 23)
• Cambridge ESOL Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) - B minimum
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE minimum score of 68 with minimum 60 in writing

How to Apply

More information on the application process can be found in the College of Arts pages.  Applications for a research degree should be made online. 

Applicants should also complete a research proposal outline form and upload it to their online application form.