Start Dates in October and February
The MPhil/PhD Philosophy offers you the opportunity to undertake an intensive study of a topic in Philosophy of your own choosing, and to make an original contribution to scholarly understandings of your subject.
While the emphasis is on your independent research, you will receive guidance from your team of academic supervisors who have expertise a range of subjects in Philosophy, with particular strengths in the history and philosophy of science, ethics, the philosophy of religion, the philosophy of mind, moral philosophy, metaphysics and aesthetics. Before you apply, we encourage you to consult the list of our staff's academic interests, to ensure the subject you are interested in can receive expert guidance.
As an MPhil/PhD student, you are encouraged to participate in the School of History and Heritage's lively research culture of research seminars, as well as postgraduate forums, social events, and training to support the development of your academic skills. Strong links exist between Philosophy and the Schools of Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology, and an interdisciplinary research culture facilitates collaboration with colleagues across a wide range of topics.
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
Over the course of your studies, you will be expected to complete an original piece of research that makes a contribution to the existing scholarship on, and knowledge of, the subject under scrutiny. You will be guided throughout this process by expert and well-published supervisors, from whom you will receive feedback and advice. Your PhD project might cross disciplinary boundaries and focus on multiple subject areas; in such cases, we will endeavour to support you through the allocation of supervisors in relevant fields.
Due to the nature of postgraduate research programmes, a significant amount of time will be spent in independent study and research. You will need to take considerable responsibility for your studies, including time management, project planning, and writing drafts of your work. You are expected to submit appropriate written work regularly to your supervisors and to act on the feedback received. You will have regular meetings with your academic supervisor(s) who will discuss the development of the research, comment on written drafts, and agree the next stage of work.
Students will have access to support and training to develop the practical and critical skills necessary for study at doctoral level.
The School of Humanities and Heritage provides a stimulating research environment within which our postgraduate community plays a central role. Research seminars and staff-student reading groups 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 our staff’s research interests can be found on our staff research profiles.
The assessment at this level of study takes the form of thesis of 80,000 words (PhD) or 40,000 words (MPhil), which is deemed to make an original contribution to knowledge, and to be suitable for publication (in whole or in part).
You will normally need to defend your thesis in an oral examination (viva), where you are expected to demonstrate an expert understanding of your subject, and to show how your research findings contribute to knowledge or build on existing understandings of the subject
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.
A relevant Master's degree.
Vitally, you will need to submit a research proposal along with your application form. This must demonstrate a suitable scope and focus, and an understanding of how your project makes an original contribution to the field of study.
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.
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 https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/.
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/ . These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.
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 optional 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.
Explore Funding Options
A doctoral qualification may be regarded as the capstone of academic achievement and may mark the beginning of a career in academia. Our School’s former students have also taken up careers in research, research administration, publishing, arts and heritage, and teaching in various contexts.
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.
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, improve lives, and make a tangible difference to the world around us.
Explore Our Research