Course information

Highlights

• Students can choose modules which best suit their interests, with topics ranging from the classical philosophy of Plato through to the work of contemporary philosophers. 
• Writing a 15,000 word dissertation in a topic of your choosing gives fantastic experience for those looking to go on to PhD level study.
• The St Andrews and Stirling Graduate Programme was ranked the third best Philosophy programme in the UK in the latest Philosophical Gourmet Report.

Teaching format

The History of Philosophy MLitt is a one year taught postgraduate programme run by the St Andrews and Stirling Graduate Programme in Philosophy (SASP), taught by staff from both the University of St Andrews and the University of Stirling. It offers the ability to study a range of different philosophical periods, from the classical period, via mediaeval philosophy, modern philosophy, including the Scottish Enlightenment and Kant, to early analytic philosophy. If you are interested in focusing on the inter-connected questions, themes and topics which span these periods, the History of Philosophy MLitt is a good choice. 

Students have the opportunity to study a range of philosophical periods through lectures, tutorials and reading groups. Modules are taught in small groups of four to ten students, with all postgraduate taught students in the department participating in the compulsory Current Issues modules. In 2014-2015, there were approximately 30 postgraduate taught students in the Department.

The programme consists of six taught modules taken over two semesters (each assessed by coursework) a 15,000 word dissertation in an area of your choice.

Every MLitt student is assigned an adviser at the beginning of the year. Your adviser will provide you with individual guidance on essay planning and writing, academic conduct, and advice on how best to apply for a PhD place.

Further particulars regarding curriculum development.

Modules

The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue.

Compulsory modules

Students must take three compulsory modules over the course of the programme. These are:

Semester 1 – these two compulsory modules are taught in Stirling on Mondays. A coach will take you to and from Stirling without additional cost.

• Current Issues in Philosophy 1: focuses on epistemology and ethics.
• Research Methods: aims to foster the range of skills required for independent research in Philosophy. Students may choose to join a seminar group most related to their interests.

Semester 2

• Current Issues in Philosophy 2: examines philsophy of language and philosophy of mind.

Optional module

You will also have the opportunity to choose three modules from a selection of modules which focus on the history of philosophy. These module may include:

• Classical Philosophy: topics in ancient metaphysics and ethics concentrating on selected readings from the works of Plato or Aristotle.
• Justice: Ancient and Modern: introduces the main theories of justice in the Western philosophical tradition.
• Kant: essential topics and concepts from the Kant’s Doctrine of Virtue, part II of Metaphysics of Morals.
• Moral and Political Philosophy in the Nineteenth Century: examines influential ethical and political ideas of the nineteenth century, based around works by one or more of Hegel, Mill and Nietzsche.
• Origins and History of Analytic Philosophy: introduces the works of the founding philosophers of analytic tradition in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.
• Political Philosophy: an examination of liberalism and its critics.

Optional modules are subject to change each year, and attendance may be limited (see the University’s position on curriculum development).

If you wish to brush up on your knowledge of logic, or if you have limited prior experience in this area, there is also an optional weekly seminar, Basic Logic, throughout the year. 

The modules listed ran in the academic year 2015-2016 and are indicative of this course. There is no guarantee that these modules will run for 2016 entry.

Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.

Dissertation

The final element of the MLitt is a 15,000 word dissertation. The dissertation should be on an area of Philosophy you are interested in; you will be encouraged to start considering a topic for the dissertation during Semester 2. Each student is supported through their dissertation by a relevant supervisor from the Department.

If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MLitt, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MLitt.

Part time studies

The History of Philosophy MLitt can also be taken as a part time programme. Students will be expected to take three modules per year over two years, working on the dissertation over two summers. For more information about part time study, please contact the SASP secretary by emailing sasp@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Conferences and events

Studying the MLitt is enhanced by a busy programme of conferences, workshops and visiting speakers from universities in the UK and from abroad. This includes:

• The St Andrews Philosophy Club — meetings for visiting speakers.
• The Department of Philosophy at Stirling — meetings for visiting speakers.
• The Arché research group — seminars and discussion groups.
• The student Philosophy Society (PhilSoc) — programme of talks and events.
• St Andrews research student weekly seminar.
• Annual reading party for postgraduate students.

This is accompanied by a wide range of student-led reading groups and informal seminars.

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Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy.

Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online. (PDF, 72 KB).

Tuition fees

The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online. (PDF, 84 KB).