Philosophy (MA)

How will I be taught?

All our taught modules are delivered through small-group seminars, with significant emphasis on student-led discussion and informal student presentations. Our learning activities are designed to support you in developing advanced research skills, including abilities to think independently and creatively about complex problems and to work collaboratively with others to refine your ideas and arguments. 

You will have a choice of research-led modules taught by academics whose work is internationally recognised in that area. Through participating in these modules, you will become part of our research community.

Many of our modules address contemporary problems facing society, providing you with a clear link between philosophical theory and practice. Through a core module, you’ll explore this further, taking part in a group project to plan a knowledge-exchange event on a topic of your choice, aimed at bringing together philosophers and members of other professional communities to connect philosophical research and professional practice. 

You will develop your dissertation question through collaborative discussion of your ideas on the topic of your choosing. You’ll then write the dissertation supported by a series of regular one-to-one meetings with your supervisor.

All modules make use of Cardiff University’s virtual learning environment, Learning Central, where you can access course materials.

How will I be assessed?

Your assessments are designed to cumulatively develop your skills in critical analysis, oral and written communication, and collaboration over the programme. Assessments include critical analyses of texts, essays, presentations with questions, reflective assessment of your own skills, and the dissertation project. You’ll also take part in a large collaborative project to plan an event that brings contemporary philosophical work into dialogue with organisations beyond the university..

How will I be supported?

Your main sources of support in philosophy are your module leaders and dissertation supervisor, and your Personal Tutor. Your module leaders have drop-in sessions during teaching weeks if you have any questions about course materials or assessments. You’ll regularly meet with your dissertation supervisor throughout your project, and they will help you shape, research, and write your dissertation. 

Personal Tutors can advise you on academic matters, including study skills, careers and further study, and your academic progress, as well as on pastoral matters. You’ll be invited to meet with your Personal Tutor regularly throughout the degree, and they are available for extra meetings as needed. Welsh-speaking students can request a Welsh-speaking personal tutor. 

The Writing Development Centre provides specialist support for academic writing across the programme. You can access online materials, workshops, and one-to-one meetings about any aspect of academic writing to support you with your assessments.

Our Postgraduate Team provides academic and student support and is there is to provide information and guidance in response to any queries you may have. Beyond the school, the university offers a range of support services and events to help you plan your career, manage your emotional, mental, and physical health, support with financial issues, and provide support for students with disabilities. These services are located at the university’s Centre for Student Life. Libraries, study spaces and other resource centres will all be available to you. 

Feedback 

You’ll regularly receive feedback on your progress. Oral feedback in seminars will help you assess your understanding of the course material and your critical responses to it. We’ll provide guidance on all forms of assessment, and you’ll receive individual or group formative feedback on your ideas and essay outlines to help you develop stronger arguments and analyses. Detailed comments will be provided on all submitted assessments to help you develop your skills further. You’ll receive regular feedback on your dissertation project from your supervisor. 

What skills will I practise and develop?

On successful completion of your programme you’ll be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:

KU 1 Critically evaluate theories and arguments in contemporary philosophical research across a variety of topics.

KU 2 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of appropriate strategies for planning a knowledge-exchange event on a philosophical topic. 

KU 3 Evaluate and apply strategies for pursuing large independent and original research projects.

Intellectual Skills:

IS 1 Generate focused research questions and select appropriate literature to address them.

IS 2 Practice techniques of philosophical analysis to assess the structure and quality of complex philosophical arguments.

IS 3 Present systematically informed and well-structured arguments for a philosophical claim.

Professional Practical Skills:

PS 1 Communicate philosophical analyses in writing clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences. 

PS 2 Orally present plans of your research clearly and respond to questions on your research in a collaborative manner.

PS 3 Demonstrate insight into the strengths and weaknesses of your own philosophical work and plan for improvement. 

Transferable/Key Skills:

KS 1 Successfully plan and direct your own learning.

KS 2 Respond to complex problems creatively and independently.

KS 3 Contribute effectively to the planning and delivery of a collaborative team project.

KS 4 Implement task instructions and manage workload effectively to meet deadlines.