View Specification DocumentPhilosophy Dissertation PHIL5001P
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Humanities
- Credits: 60
- Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
- Typically Offered: Summer
- Available to Visiting Students: No
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
The student should complete a dissertation on a philosophy related topic of between 12,000 and 15,000 words. The student should be able to explain the leading positions and arguments relevant to the topic chosen and argument pursued.
Timetable
Meetings of 1 hour as needed during term 3 with supervisor; ad hoc meetings during summer or by email as needed (minimum of 10 hours).
Requirements of Entry
Standard entry to Masters at College level.
A candidate will be permitted to progress to preparation of the dissertation, or other substantial independent work required by the degree, only if he or she has obtained a grade point average of 12 (equivalent to C3) or above in the taught courses with at least 75% of the credits at Grade D3 or better and all credits at Grade F or above.
Excluded Courses
None
Assessment
The standard assessments for this course are:
■ The dissertation will be 12,000-15,000 words long - 100%.
If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:
■ There is no alternative to the dissertation, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)
Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.
Course Aims
- To achieve efficiency in individual research in philosophy.
- To write with the clarity and conciseness appropriate to professional academic philosophy.
- To develop skills of philosophical analysis and argumentation in a sustained piece of work.
- To develop independent lines of philosophical argument.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
(1) Demonstrate their ability to define, plan, and execute a sustained, focused, and coherent research project.
(2) Demonstrate their understanding of the important contemporary literature on the chosen topic.
(3) Demonstrate their ability to engage critically with the selected literature, through the construction and defence of philosophical arguments, in a way that displays independent thinking.