MPhil/PhD in Philosophy

Programme code: RPPH

Department: Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Methods

In addition to progressing with their research, students are expected to take the listed training and transferable skills courses.  Students may take courses in addition to those listed, and should discuss this with their supervisor.  All programmes of study should be agreed with the supervisor at the start of the year.

Guidelines for interpreting programme regulations

Year 1
Training courses
Compulsory (examined/not examined)
PH501 Philosophical Problems Seminar
Students who have never taken a paper in formal logic at degree must take PH502 Reasoning and Logic (examined).
Students who have already taken a formal logic course should choose one further MSc course not already taken as part of an MSc degree. Students can either decide to be examined in this course or instead choose to write two assessed essays, one at the end of each of the first two terms. This with the exception of students who choose PH419 Set Theory and Further Logic, in which case the examination is compulsory.

Either a further MSc course (again one not taken as part of the MSc course) plus one term unit of PhD level seminars. The seminars on offer are PH551 Research Seminar in Philosophy of Natural Sciences, PH555 Research Seminar in the Philosophy of Economics and Social Sciences or PH500 Research Methods in Philosophy. If students choose to take a further MSc course, they can either decide to be examined or instead choose to write two assessed essays, one at the end of each of the first two terms. PhD level seminars are not examined and assessment is solely based on essays.

Or three term units of PhD level seminars with associated coursework. Taking three term units means that students can either take all three terms of one of these seminars or 'mix and match' by taking different seminars in different terms. Seminars must be taken with associated course work.

Optional (not examined)
Transferable skills courses offered by the Teaching and Learning Centre or the Methodology Institute.

Year 2
Training courses
Optional (not examined)
PH551 Research Seminar in the Philosophy of Natural Sciences
PH555 Research Seminar in the Philosophy of Economics and Social Sciences
PH500 Research Methods in Philosophy

Optional (examined/not examined)
Transferable skills courses offered by the Teaching and Learning Centre or the Methodology Institute.

Year 3
Training courses
Optional (not examined)
PH551 Research Seminar in the Philosophy of Natural Sciences
PH555 Research Seminar in the Philosophy of Economics and Social Sciences
PH500 Research Methods in Philosophy

Optional (examined/not examined)
Transferable skills courses offered by the Teaching and Learning Centre or the Methodology Institute.

Year 4
Training courses
Optional (not examined)
PH551 Research Seminar in the Philosophy of Natural Sciences
PH555 Research Seminar in the Philosophy of Economics and Social Sciences
PH500 Research Methods in Philosophy

Optional (examined/not examined)
Transferable skills courses offered by the Teaching and Learning Centre or the Methodology Institute.

Progression and upgrade requirements
Successful completion of work required for each year is a necessary condition for re-registration in the following year; and for upgrading from MPhil to PhD status. During the first year students must write a first chapter of the thesis as well as an outline (research plan) of the rest of the thesis. The chapter should be around 40 pages; the research plan around 10 pages. Both have to be handed in to the Departmental Office by 1 September. This upgrading will normally take place after the successful completion of Year One requirements in Case A, and after the successful completion of Year Two requirements in Case B. In both cases once you are registered for the PhD that registration will be backdated to the start of your MPhil/PhD studies.