Profile

Philosophy is about critically thinking through the assumptions of the age. Our programmes are delivered by staff with strong research profiles in modern European philosophy and an interest in interdisciplinary research and collaboration. We have a thriving research culture, with postgraduates working in philosophy or with colleagues in other disciplines.

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.

Training & Skills

As a research student you will receive a tailored package of academic and administrative support to ensure you maximise your research and future career. The academic information is in the programme profile and you will be supported by our doctoral training centres, Faculty Training Programme and Research Student Support Team.

Research training

Our Faculty Training Programme provides a community made up of postgraduate social sciences and humanities students and staff. It is a unique blend of cross-disciplinary and generic researcher development training, recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) as providing a solid basis for doctoral study.

Although your focus will be on your specialist study, our aim is for you to develop a broad range of research and project management skills that will support you in your career ahead. We have nurtured a multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary and supportive environment where staff and students from across the world can come together and share their research experiences. You can also choose to register for a Postgraduate Certificate in Research Training, which accredits the core foundation modules on the training programme.

You will study in our Doctoral Training Suite with purpose-built facilities for lectures, workshops, seminars and computer access to specialist software required for doctoral research in the social sciences and humanities. Each year we have two student-led research postgraduate conferences and we have a variety of prizes and awards to celebrate the successes of our students.

ESRC Northern Ireland/North East (NINE) Doctoral Training Partnership

The ESRC Northern Ireland/North East (NINE) Doctoral Training Partnership is a joint venture between Durham University, Newcastle University, Northumbria University, Queen’s University Belfast, University of Sunderland, Teesside University and Ulster University. We are a centre of excellence for postgraduate social sciences. We offer a world-class, interdisciplinary environment for doctoral training and research.

Funded and accredited by the ESRC, we are one of the most innovative of the national network of doctoral training centres with a strong track record of partnership working with public, private and community organisations.

Northern Bridge Doctoral Training Partnership

Based at Newcastle University, Northern Bridge brings together the expertise and exceptional resources of Newcastle University, Durham University, Queen’s University Belfast and their partners for the training and development of outstanding arts and humanities postgraduate researchers.

Northern Bridge is funded by the AHRC to provide doctoral studentships and has been commended for the strength of its research base, shared vision, and its successful track record of partnership working.

Postgraduate Research Student Support

Our award winning Research Student Support Team is dedicated to providing you with information, support and advice throughout your research degree studies. The team can help and advise you on a variety of issues from registration to producing your transcripts.

Fees & Funding

2018-2019 fees

The fees displayed here are per year.

MPhil, PhD

UK

Full time: £4,800
Part time: £2,400

EU

Full time: £4,800
Part time: £2,400

International

Full time: £15,600

Entry Requirements

A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a humanities or social science subject.

How to Apply

You apply online, track your application and contact the admissions team via our applicant portal. Our step by step guide can help you on your way.

Contact

Julie Coomber
Philosophical Studies Secretary
Philosophical Studies
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 7302
Email: phil.ugadmin@ncl.ac.uk