Programme description
Our PhD in Philosophy is a 3 year full-time programme. You will undertake substantial original research, which will form a thesis of approximately 70,000 words.
Throughout, you will work closely with an expert supervisor, with further guidance from at least one extra supervisor.
Our staff are experts, many internationally renowned, in a variety of key areas of Philosophy. We provide a wealth of opportunities for postgraduate researchers. Some of our main areas of research strength are:
You will become part of a lively PhD community of around 30 PGRs working on a variety of topics including:
- the nature of love;
- environmental ethics;
- meaning in art;
- perception;
- metaontology;
- religious faith.
Our weekly PhD research seminar, run by PGRs for PGRs, will give you the opportunity to present your work and discuss it with your peers. In your final year, you will also be encouraged to present your work at the Philosophy department's research seminar.
You will have a dedicated working space alongside other Philosophy PGRs.
Additional programme information
Humanities Doctoral Academy
Our Humanities Doctoral Academy combines the strengths of our four schools to bring expertise, knowledge, support and high-quality services for postgraduate researchers. We are a community of academic leaders and postgraduate researchers across all levels in the Faculty of Humanities. The Doctoral Academy Hub houses our specialist professional service teams who support postgraduate researchers throughout the programme journey.
This includes admissions, registration, student experience, progression, examination, and graduation. We collaborate closely with other University directorates including Manchester Doctoral College, Researcher Development team, and the corresponding Doctoral Academies in the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. Together we provide the best experience and support for your studies and research.
EDI
Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities.
We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.
We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.
All appointments are made on merit.
The University of Manchester and our external partners are fully committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Teaching and learning
When you become a postgraduate researcher, you will join a diverse and vibrant community of doctoral students from nearly 100 different countries, all studying within the Faculty of Humanities.
You will be able to work with a specific research grouping that complements your research interests and have access to a variety of interdisciplinary research institutes.
Our working environments are often spacious and open plan, giving you plenty of opportunities to communicate with colleagues and staff within the School, and you will have your own desk space as well as access to our fantastic range of libraries on campus.
All of our academic supervisors are research active and will support you to work on challenging research problems and develop rigorous, creative and original research.
You can expect to meet with your supervisor at least once a month to discuss progress on your project.
You will have access to a large and diverse community of internationally recognised academic experts offering an environment that will stimulate intellectual debate and development.
We provide additional financial support for a number of activities related to your PhD, including:
- presenting at international conferences;
- attending workshops that provide relevant professional opportunities;
- conducting fieldwork in the UK and overseas.
You can also get hands-on, paid teaching experience as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. Graduate Teaching Assistants in the School of Social Sciences are considered to be valued members of the teaching team. As such, we take pride in the opportunities provided for the professional development of graduate teaching assistants.
Our training includes preparation for application to the Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. This brings a range of benefits as follows:
- consolidates your personal development and emphasises your professional practice in HE;
- entitlement to use post-nominal letters - AFHEA;
- provides a valuable measure of success and is increasingly sought by employers across the education sector as a condition of appointment and promotion;
- recognised and valued by a growing number of international institutions.
For more information, see the Associate Fellowship HEA .
Coursework and assessment
Satisfactory evaluation of PGRs' work at annual reviews is required for progress on the programme.
Programme unit list
The programme unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this programme of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philosophy PhD Seminar | PHIL60290 | 0 | Mandatory |
Related research
REF 2021
In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021) Philosophy at Manchester was ranked in the top 10 in the UK in terms (by grade point average) among the 35 departments assessed under Unit of Assessment 30.
90% of our research was judged to be in the highest two categories (4*) 'world-leading' or (3*) 'internationally excellent'.
Our research environment was also judged to be strong, with 100% judged to be (4*) 'world-leading' or (3*) 'internationally excellent'.
Read more about our Philosophy research at Manchester.
What our students say
See the profiles of our current cohort of PGRs in Philosophy.
Find out more about what it's like to undertake a postgraduate research degree at Manchester on our Humanities PGR blog .
Facilities
The Philosophy Department is based in the Humanities Bridgeford Street Building which allows 24/7 access and has an ample and well-equipped study space for postgraduates.
The University of Manchester Library
Manchester is home to one of the UK's five National Research Libraries - one of the best-resourced academic libraries in the UK and widely recognised as one of the world's greatest research libraries.
Find out more about libraries and study spaces for postgraduate research students at Manchester.