Course information

Course highlights

• Students have a number of optional modules with a focus on metaphysics or logic to choose from.
• MLitt students have the opportunity to go on an annual reading party in the Scottish Highlands along with research postgraduates and staff.

Teaching format

The MLitt in Logic and Metaphysics 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 focuses on topics within metaphysics and logic; with classes covering logic and advanced logic, formal approaches to natural languages and contemporary and historical debates in metaphysics.

Students have the opportunity to study topics in these philosophical areas 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) and 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 costs.

• 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 the philosophy of language and the philosophy of mind.

Optional modules

You will also have the opportunity to choose three modules from a selection of modules which focus on logic and metaphysics. These modules may include:

• Advanced Logic B: Classical Meta-theory: explores cardinality, computability and the limitative results of Gödel (incompleteness of arithmetic), Tarski (non-definability of arithmetic truth), and Church (undecidability of first-order logic).
• Formal Approaches to Natural Languages: introduces issues in formal semantics, as well as related issues in syntax and pragmatics.
• Origins and History of Analytic Philosophy: examines the works of the founding philosophers of analytic tradition in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.
• Philosophy of Logic: covers foundational issues in the philosophy of logic.
• Texts in Contemporary Metaphysics: focuses on puzzles about theories of causation, mental causation, and group agency. 

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 logic and metaphysics 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 MLitt in Logic and Metaphysics 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. Students on the MLitt in Logic and Metaphysics may be particularly interested in the Arché research group which runs seminars and discussion groups, often on relevant topics. 

Other regular events include:

• The St Andrews Philosophy Club — meetings for visiting speakers.
• The Department of Philosophy at Stirling — meetings for visiting speakers.
• The student Philosophy Society (PhilSoc) — programme of talks and events.
• St Andrews research student weekly seminar.
• An annual reading party for postgraduate students which takes place at an academic retreat in the Scottish highlands. 

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

---

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. Course revision protocol (PDF)

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. Fee setting protocol (PDF)