Start Dates in October and February
MA Philosophy by Research is designed for students who are keen to undertake an in-depth research project on a subject of their choice in the field of philosophy, supported by the guidance of an academic supervisor. You are expected to write a dissertation of around 25,000 words that demonstrates expert knowledge and understanding of the subject area you have chosen.
Students can benefit from the academic guidance of experts in a range of areas including metaphysics, philosophy of mind, ethics, philosophy of religion, and history of philosophy. This course is best-suited for students who have a tightly defined research project that is achievable within the time frame.
Philosophy at Lincoln promotes the development of a stimulating research environment within which our postgraduate community plays a central role. Initiatives such as research seminars with internal speakers and visiting academics aim to foster cross-disciplinary debates and collaboration, as well as providing opportunities for career development.
Conduct independent, original, and academically significant research
Benefit from training courses to develop key research skills
Supervision and support from expert academic staff
Present at talks and seminars to showcase your work
Enrol in February or October each year
Study takes the form of supervised individual research, so the majority of the time is spent in independent study. You will need to take considerable responsibility for your studies, including time management, project planning and writing drafts of your work. Students are expected to submit appropriate work regularly to their supervisors and to act on the feedback received.
You will have regular meetings with your academic supervisors who will discuss the development of the research, comment on written drafts, and agree the next stage of work. Your project might cross disciplinary boundaries and focus on multiple subject areas and in such cases, we will endeavour to support you through the allocation of supervisors in relevant fields.
As a postgraduate research student, you are encouraged to participate in the School of Humanities and Heritage's lively research culture of research seminars, with internal and visiting speakers, as well as postgraduate forums, training, and social events. These can foster cross-disciplinary debates and collaboration, as well as providing opportunities for career development.
Research areas covered within the School include:
A full list of staff research interests can be found on our staff research profiles.
The assessment takes the form of a 25,000 word dissertation.
To support your experience within the postgraduate research community, new students are encouraged to enrol in October or February, although alternative dates may be agreed with your supervisors on an individual basis. When writing your research proposal, please take note of the following guidance:
Applicants with appropriate projects will be offered an interview with the programme leader and one or more subject specialists where the application can be discussed in more detail.
Applicants with appropriate proposals will be offered an interview with the programme leader and one or more subject specialists, who will discuss with you in more detail the research proposal and your suitability to undertake it.
Postgraduate Research Application Support
Find out more about the application process for research degrees and what you'll need to complete on our How to Apply page, which also features contact details for dedicated support with your application.
First or upper second-class honours degree in a relevant subject.
Vitally, you will need to submit a research proposal along with your application form. The research proposal forms the basis of your programme of study, as well as demonstrating your suitability to undertake the project.
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages at https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/
Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 7.0 overall, with a minimum of 6.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page at https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/.
For further advice on IELTS and the support available, please contact the International College by email at internationalcollege@lincoln.ac.uk.
You will need to have funding in place for your studies before you arrive at the University. Our fees vary depending on the course, mode of study, and whether you are a UK or international student. You can view the breakdown of fees for this programme below. Research students may be required to pay additional fees in addition to cover the cost of specialist resources, equipment and access to any specialist collections that may be required to support their research project. These will be informed by your research proposal and will be calculated on an individual basis.
Loans and Studentships
Find out more about the options available to support your postgraduate research, from Master's and Doctoral Loans, to research studentship opportunities. You can also find out more about how to pay your fees and access support from our helpful advisors.
This MA by Research can prepare students to embark on further study at the doctoral level, as well as for careers in teaching, journalism, law, and the civil service, among many other fields.
The University’s Doctoral School provides a focal point for Lincoln’s community of researchers, where ideas and experiences can be developed and shared across disciplines. It also offers support and training to help equip you for both academic and non-academic careers.
For more information about this course, please contact:
Dr Rebecca Styler
rstyler@lincoln.ac.uk
Through our research, we are striving to change society for the better. Working with regional, national, and international partners, our academics are engaged in groundbreaking studies that are challenging the status quo. We also understand the importance of providing the best possible environment for pursuing research that can support our communities and make a tangible difference to the world around us.
