Philosophy

Snapshot

Why Study at Dundee?

The Philosophy team at Dundee offers an innovative programme specialising in new, different and exciting areas of philosophy. Dundee offers one of the few programmes in the UK with a strong focus on Continental Philosophy. We emphasise reading philosophical texts both historical and contemporary, and developing critical questions and responses through writing and discussion.

Philosophy at Dundee encourages you to bring philosophy together with other areas of interest. Modules in political philosophy and ethics allow you to engage with current events and issues, while modules in philosophy of art, literature and film encourage critical thinking about contemporary culture. These modules build on interdisciplinary strengths across the University in European Politics and History, International Relations, English, Psychology, and Fine Art. We offer joint degrees with all these subjects, and we are the first in the UK to offer a degree in Art, Philosophy and Contemporary Practices.

As a student on our programme, you will be taught by a dynamic team of lecturers with national and international reputations. Through their work, they play an active role in shaping some of the most exciting debates in contemporary philosophy. They will introduce you to these debates, and will encourage you to think for yourselves - deeply, creatively, and in ways that make a difference.

Employability

A philosophy degree provides you with intellectual and perceptual skills of advantage in the pursuit of any professional career.

Studying philosophy will allow you to:

• Identify and explain the underlying issues in all kinds of debate
• Develop creative and robust responses to difficult issues
• Analyse and formulate complex and controversial problems
• Read closely and become sensitive to arguments from a variety of sources and traditions
• Offer clear and rigorous critical responses to arguments
• Summarise and assess points of view which are not your own
• Learn the self-discipline required for independent research

Employers recognise that these skills are highly transferable. They mark out independent and thoughtful individuals. Philosophy will serve you well in your future career and life-long learning.

A degree in philosophy allows you to progress to postgraduate study, either at Dundee or elsewhere. Dundee offers MLitt degrees in Continental Philosophy and Philosophy and Literature.

As well as continuing to postgraduate study, recent graduates have gone on to work in publishing, social work, librarianship, the music industry, local councils and the civil service. There are increasing possibilities for teaching philosophy in schools and colleges and a number of recent graduates have pursued careers as teachers.

Visit our student profiles to find out more.

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching is by lecture, seminar and tutorial. In the tutorials you will question and develop your own world views, construct arguments to defend them, and put together projects to illustrate them. You will learn to explain your views and to defend them against constructive criticism.

The fourth year dissertation is the high-point, where you put forward and defend a thesis in an area of philosophy of your choice. Recent dissertation topics have involved music, film, the environment, gender, law, evolutionary theory, artificial intelligence, photography, literature, and theatre.

The four-year MA degree begins with modules in the history of philosophy and political philosophy. You will also take a module in critical thinking, which will develop your skills of argument and analysis. These modules are followed in your second year by courses in the history of philosophy, ethics and aesthetics. You can then specialise in Levels 3 and 4 through different options, including modules on film, literature, politics, ethics and philosophy of mind.

All students are encouraged to make links between philosophy and the subjects that interest them. These can be reflected in several Joint Honours degree programmes. Within the Single Honours programme you can develop specialisms in European Philosophy, Philosophy and Art, Ethics, Political Philosophy or Feminist Philosophy.

You will have the opportunity to study with experts in these fields, and to work with them on major philosophers such as Plato, Spinoza, Kant, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Foucault, Bergson, Badiou, and Deleuze.

Assessment in Philosophy is by coursework essays, tutorial performance, exams and dissertations. We also take advantage of the IT facilities at Dundee: on some modules, students write online journals, post minutes of tutorials in the Virtual Learning Environment, or take part in online discussions.

Extracurricular Activities

The Philosophy Society is a thriving student-led group that meets regularly in term-time to listen to invited speakers and debate important philosophical questions.

As a student with us, you will be able to attend the Philosophy research seminars, where you will hear papers by visiting international speakers working in some of the most exciting areas of contemporary philosophy. You will also be able to attend the interdisciplinary School of Humanities research seminars.

As you progress to Honours, you will be encouraged to attend workshops and conferences hosted by the staff and postgraduate students in Philosophy: recent events have examined issues in contemporary ethics, in philosophy and science, and in philosophy and art, and have investigated the work of key thinkers in contemporary European philosophy.

Optional field trips to museums, archives and art galleries are also a regular feature, as we encourage you to link your philosophical studies to a broader cultural and social context.

Programme Content

MA Degree Structure and Overview

Visit the MA overview page for general information on our MA degree programme.

2010 Entry Requirements

2011 Entry Requirements

Your Application

What skills, qualities and experience do I need?

The Dundee MA degrees follow the distinctive pattern of many Scottish universities by offering a broad-based education that requires you to study a number of different subjects in Levels 1 and 2 (Level 2 only for the Advanced Entry Honours degrees). You do not have to finalise your choice of degree course until you are better able to appreciate both the nature of the subjects you are studying and the relationships between them. However, you must make an initial choice of course on the application form and we would expect you to provide some evidence of your enthusiasm for your chosen course and details of any relevant experience.

We use a range of learning methods at Dundee: you will be expected to respond to the information and advice provided by academic staff, especially in lectures; to prepare for and participate in tutorial discussion or to work in practical classes; to work individually or in groups on set assignments such as essays and projects; and to 'read round' the subject. Consequently, we are looking for evidence that you are capable of working systematically, of responding to the guidance of your teachers, and that you have both the ability and enthusiasm to successfully complete a degree programme.

If you wish to study Philosophy or European Philosophy at Dundee, it would be advantageous for you to be able to indicate to us that you are willing to think critically about a range of issues; that you are willing to tackle challenging texts; that you are interested in thinking about (and discussing) the 'big questions' beyond everyday experience; and that you have an open mind to different sides of an argument. Clearly, you might find it difficult to provide 'hard evidence' of any of this directly in your application, but your statement and your referee's report might provide an indication that you are willing to engage in thinking of this kind.

Tips for your application

What is important to us, in your application, is the evidence provided by the grades you have attained, or are predicted to attain, in your examinations, along with whatever you and your referee can point to indicating both your special interest in any of our subject areas, and your general liveliness of mind.

Your personal statement is an opportunity to say why you should be offered a place to study in Dundee. We are looking for applicants with an ability to express opinions clearly with reasoned support and evidence, who are open to critical guidance, and who have a commitment to high standards of achievement in all they do. These qualities can be demonstrated through academic attainment, paid or voluntary work, and extra-curricular activities of all kinds.

Referees should concisely indicate your analytical abilities, communication skills, capacity for academic work, and commitment to your studies. We will be interested to hear about examples of initiative, leadership, and any evidence of organisational skills. Indicators of a positive outlook and engagement with social and cultural activities will be welcome, as will an assessment of your potential to develop in the university environment.

We will consider applications to one or more MA courses at Dundee: each application will be considered on its merits. We are looking for applicants who either have achieved, or will achieve, the published requirements in terms of Highers, Advanced Highers, A-Levels or acceptable alternative qualifications.

Advanced Entry Honours Degree

It is possible to study for most of our honours degrees in 3 years if you have the required grades and subjects as listed in the Entry Requirements section. There are definite advantages to considering this route as the time needed to study is reduced by one year which enables you to start working and earning earlier.

Contact

Karen Simpson
Admissions & Student Recruitment
University of Dundee
Nethergate
Dundee
DD1 4HN
Scotland

Telephone: 01382 384 028 (from the UK)
Telephone: +44 1382 384 028 (from outside the UK)

Email: ContactUs@dundee.ac.uk