Philosophy MA

Year of entry: 2026

Course length: 12 months Full-Time

About the course

Moral dilemmas and polarising debates have divided our world in recent years. On our MA Philosophy course, you’ll engage with some of the most pressing issues in contemporary society.

You’ll explore specialised areas of analytic philosophy, such as ethics, language, the creation of social worlds, and more. Our expert academics will guide you through classical and contemporary theories of philosophy, giving you a deeper understanding of some of the most fundamental questions. Throughout your studies, you'll benefit from opportunities to practice and develop your skills, giving you expertise within the subject, and transferable strengths suitable for a range of other careers. Our department is a close-knit and nurturing community, and we regularly put on events designed to enhance your employability and your professional network.

See the full course profile on our website >

Study at a Top 10 UK university for Philosophy research, with 90% of our research ranked 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent'

(Research Excellence Framework 2021)

Be part of a lively student community with societies that host debates, discussion groups and socials

Graduate from one of the UK’s most targeted universities by top employers with the skills needed for a meaningful career

(High Fliers, The Graduate Market Report 2025)

Compulsory Units

MA Philosophy Research Skills;
Dissertation (90 credits) or Dissertation (60 credits).

Optional Units

Philosophical Methods;
Epistemology;
Ethics;
Philosophy of Mind;
Aesthetics;
Landmark Papers in Analytic Philosophy;
History of Analytic Philosophy;
Philosophy of Language.

These are examples of units offered in 2024/25 and are subject to change.

See the full list of units and find out more on the full course profile >

Where will your course take you?

As a Philosophy graduate, you’ll have the flexibility to choose from a variety of career paths. Our courses allow you to develop a variety of both subject-specific and transferable skills suited to a wide variety of roles, such as critical analysis, communication, reasoning and negotiation skills, and problem-solving.

Most of our recent graduates have gone on to work in a range of sectors, such as financial services, law and legal services, human resources, advertising, marketing and consulting, with job titles such as Lecturer, Research Grant Writer, Social Services Consultant, Case Officer and Company Director. Many graduates also continue their research by studying a PhD in Philosophy, either at Manchester or at another leading university, where they expand the boundaries of our knowledge and pursue careers in research or academia.

Jonathan Howie

Philsophy MA Graduate / Associate Solicitor

"I had always appreciated the transferable skills, which the study of Philosophy helped me to develop, and I continue to find them valuable in my career. The course gave me a number of opportunities to learn analytical skills and craft abstract arguments. Those aspects have proved invaluable in my legal career."