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(c) Ian Martindale (www.ianmartindale.co.uk)

PhD and MPhil in Philosophy, MA in Philosophy by research, PhD in Philosophy by Distance Learning

The Research Excellence Framework 2021

  • We’re ranked 2nd overall in the UK in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF) results (2021). Furthermore, 100% of our research impact is rated as 4* - the REF’s highest rating.

Learn more about the 2021 REF results

Students on the MPhil, PhD, PhD by Distance Learning and MA in Philosophy by Research follow an approved programme of research supervised by a member of academic staff and informed by a Thesis Advisory Panel. Alongside this academic support, students are supported by a programme of training in research methods and transferable skills. Students are assessed solely on the basis of their research, which must include original work, by at least two individually appointed examiners, one of whom will be external to the University.

Funding opportunities for 2023/24 and 2024/25 entry can be found on our web pages at Postgraduate Fees and Funding.

The lengths of the programmes are as follows:

Programme Full-time Part-time
MA in Philosophy by Research 12 months 24 months
MPhil 24 months 48 months
PhD 36 months 72 months
PhD by Distance Learning 36 months 72 months

For research degrees we require a prior qualification in philosophy (normally a BA for the MA by Research and an MA for the MPhil and PhD and PhD by Distance Learning), a satisfactory research proposal of 1,000 - 2,000 words, and for students whose first language is not English, meeting the Department's English language requirement. Prospective students should consult the Departmental Requirements on the webpage below for the minimum level of English language proficiency required:

The PhD by Distance Learning is ideal for students with commitments which prevent them from being resident within reasonable travelling distance of York. While a minimum of two weeks of attendance per academic year is required (for registration, training, meetings with the thesis advisory panel and the annual PhD Progression Day), this programme allows students to research overseas and elsewhere in the UK while still receiving support and training online and by video-conferencing. Access to an internet connection and relevant library and/or archives is essential for this programme. Details of requirements for attendance, in person and online, may be obtained from the Administrator at philosophy-postgrad@york.ac.uk.

All applicants will have a formal interview with their prospective supervisor and another academic, normally the Director of PG Researchers. Most interviews take place via Zoom. UK-based applicants may also be invited to campus (we will reimburse reasonable travel expenses). In 2023-24, the Director of PG Researchers in Dr Louise Richardson (louise.richardson@york.ac.uk) in Semester 1 and Dr Owen Hulatt (owen.hulatt@york.ac.uk) in Semester 2.

The programmes are assessed solely on the student's thesis. The requirements for the lengths of the theses are as follows.

Programme Minimum Maximum
MA in Philosophy by Research 20,000 words 30,000 words
MPhil 40,000 words 60.000 words
PhD 60,000 words 80,000 words
PhD by Distance Learning 60,000 words 80,000 words

Applications are invited from candidates wishing to work in all the major areas of interest in the Department. A list of current and past postgraduate researchers' work is available.

Members of the Department have research interests in Aesthetics, art and literature; History of philosophy (with particular interests in early modern philosophy and German idealism); Metaphysics (including philosophy of mathematics and philosophy of time); Phenomenology and continental philosophy; Philosophy of medicine and health; Philosophy of mind and perception; Philosophy of religion; Political and legal philosophy; and Theoretical and applied ethics (including ethics of AI). More details are available concerning the research interests of individual members of the Department and cognate faculty members.

When making their application, candidates are advised to make their research proposals as specific and clear as possible. All candidates are required to submit a sample of written work (3,000 words) with their application. All candidates are also required to submit a research proposal (1,000 - 2,000 words). Preliminary enquiries about your research proposal should be addressed in the first instance to your potential supervisor (Staff list). General enquiries about funding and study at York should be sent to philosophy-postgrad@york.ac.uk .

As part of their course of study, research students engage in a programme of training in transferable skills and research management. This training is delivered by both the Department and the University. For more information, see information for current postgraduate researchers.

How to apply

Please visit our how to apply webpage for full details.

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