Your programme during COVID-19

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to COVID-19.

Further information

Our COVID-19 Study page gives more information about your Newcastle University study experience.

Terms and conditions and student complaints

The University has terms and conditions which create a positive environment for learning and academic achievement.

Given the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commitments outlined are subject to the guidelines that may be in place at the time.

About this course

Our lecturers have broad philosophical interests and specialise in modern European thought.

You can choose between standard academic dissertations or the more flexible context-based learning approach. Your personal interest will drive your context based learning. You will engage philosophically with an object or aspect of reality. You can read more about this approach on the Philosophical Studies web page.

Research and supervision areas

MPhil and PhD supervision is available in the following areas:

Continental philosophy and the history of European ideas

• Vico
• post-Kantian thought (including Hegel and German idealism)
• Kierkegaard
• Nietzsche
• Phenomenology
• Hermeneutics
• Psychoanalysis
• Bataille
• Frankfurt School
• the Situationists
• Poststructuralism (including Deleuze, Foucault and Derrida)
• Posthumanism
• Postmodernism (including Vattimo) 

Aesthetics

• philosophy and the arts
• philosophy of music
• philosophy and contemporary art
• philosophy and literature (particularly Blanchot)

Ethics

• theoretical, applied and social ethics

Social and political philosophy

Philosophy and religion

You can find further information on staff research interests. 

Please contact us about the suitability of your research ideas and projects before applying.

Quality and Ranking

We rank in the top 150 for Arts and Humanities - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020

You will receive a tailored package of support from the University to ensure you maximise your research and future career. There are also opportunities to undertake your research at Newcastle within a Doctoral Training Centre, Centre for Doctoral Training or Doctoral Training Partnership.

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Research Training Programme and Student Support

Our Faculty Research Training Programme is a community made up of postgraduates from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

It is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) as a sound foundation for doctoral studies.

Our aim is for you to develop a broad range of research and project management skills that will support you in your career ahead. Staff and students from across a range of disciplines can come together and share their research experiences. You can also choose to register for a Postgraduate Certificate in Research Training.

You will study in our Doctoral Training Suite, a purpose-built facility for lectures, workshops, seminars and computer access to specialist software. Each year we have two student-led research postgraduate conferences. There are also a variety of prizes and awards to celebrate the successes of our students.

Postgraduate Research Student Support

Our Research Student Support Team will provide support and advice throughout your studies. The team can help you on a variety of issues from registration to producing your transcripts.

Doctoral training centres and partnerships

Being part of a Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP), Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) or Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) means that you can benefit from the research expertise and training of a number of leading universities, academic schools and academics. You'll also be studying alongside a cohort of other PhD students.

These centres are often interdisciplinary, combining expertise and training from multiple subject areas. You may also be able to collaborate with an industrial or commercial organisation.

Your PhD will be funded. Normally the fees are covered and you'll receive a tax-free stipend or living expenses. Additional funding is sometimes available to cover things such as conference attendance and research materials.

The centres/ partnerships below may have PhD opportunities available in your subject area.

Find out more about our tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts.

Funding opportunities

If you have lower English Language scores, you may be accepted onto a Pre-sessional English course. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be offering our Pre-sessional courses online only from June to September 2020.

When you make your online application, insert one of the relevant course codes on the 'Programme of Study' page:

8307F Philosophy PhD, (full time)
8307P Philosophy PhD, (part time)
7031F Philosophy MPhil, (full time)
7031P Philosophy MPhil, (part time)

Before you apply please contact our staff about the suitability of your research ideas and projects.

You need to submit a research proposal with your application. Read our guidelines for producing a research proposal (PDF: 41.5KB) from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Science Graduate School.

Start dates

There are usually two possible start dates, although in some circumstances an alternative start date can be arranged:

• January
• September

There is no application closing date for this course, but specific deadlines for funding may apply. 

We suggest international students apply at least two months before the course starts. This is so that you have enough time to make the necessary arrangements.

Deposit

If you live outside the UK/EU you must:

• pay a deposit of £1,500
• or submit an official letter of sponsorship

The deposit is payable after you receive an offer to study at Newcastle University. The deposit is non-refundable, but is deducted from your tuition fees when you register.