How to apply

Overview

The details

Course: Philosophy

Start date: October 2025

Study mode: Full-time

Duration: 9 months

Location: Colchester Campus

Based in: Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies (School of)

If you do not have the appropriate undergraduate preparation to embark directly on our MA Philosophy course, this nine-month Graduate Diploma in Philosophy is right for you. It constitutes a qualifying degree for the MA Philosophy.

You can choose from our existing list of modules taught by our enthusiastic, friendly and expert academics – such as modules on ethics, phenomenology and existentialism, feminism, philosophy of religion or contemporary political philosophy. At the end, you will be able to complete a capstone module, putting you into an excellent position for further study in Philosophy. At Essex, you have the freedom to study what most interests you.

Our Graduate Diploma consists of eight modules at 3rd-year undergraduate level (up to two of these can be at 2nd-year level). You must complete the appropriate coursework and examinations and can also write a project on a topic of your choice if this is agreed with your course director.

Regardless of the topics you pursue, we are committed to research-based teaching, with a particular emphasis on bringing the approaches of philosophy into contact with other disciplines and discourses.

Why we're great.

We are world-renowned for our combination of Continental and Anglo-American philosophy
Tailor your course to focus on continental philosophy, critical social theory, psychoanalysis, or art history
Work alongside industry active professionals.

Our expert staff

Our open-minded and enthusiastic staff are known for our unique combination of Anglo-American and European philosophy, and as a leading centre for critical theory, phenomenology, German idealism and medical humanities. Some recent projects and publications include:

Timo Jütten's major new Leverhulme-funded research project, Competition and Competitiveness
Irene McMullin's Existential Flourishing: A Phenomenology of the Virtues (Cambridge, 2018)
Steve Gormley's Deliberative Theory and Deconstruction: A Democratic Venture (Edinburgh, 2020)

Specialist facilities

Attend our Critical Theory Colloquium
Attend the Werkstatt, where recent work on phenomenology is presented
An exciting programme of research seminars, reading groups and mini-courses that help you expand your philosophical knowledge beyond what you learn on your course
Access a variety of philosophy textbooks and journals in the Albert Sloman Library and in our departmental library

Your future

Successful completion of this diploma acts as a qualifying degree for our MA Philosophy.

Our graduates have gone into careers in law, the media, local administration, HM Revenue and Customs, and top jobs in the Civil Service.

We work with the university's Careers Services to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

A 2:2 degree, or international equivalent, in any discipline.

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum score of 5.5 in all components.

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Additional Notes

The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.

Structure

Course structure

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY

Philosophy Capstone Module

(30 CREDITS)

This is an intensive final-year module running over five weeks during the summer term. It involves a guided and structured approach to support you in completing a research project of your own.

View Philosophy Capstone Module on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: OPTIONAL

(60 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 03: OPTIONAL

(30 CREDITS)

Teaching

Postgraduate students in the School of Philosophical, Historical and Interdisciplinary Studies usually attend a one-hour lecture and one-hour seminar for each module each week or workshops.

Your modules, followed during the autumn and spring terms, generally consist of two-hour seminars
We run a number of mini-courses, seminars and conferences

Assessment

Assessment is normally on the basis of coursework and your capstone project.

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£6,930

International fee

£15,015

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

You can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.

We aim to respond to applications within two weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply' information.

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If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360 degree virtual tour allows you to explore the Colchester Campus from the comfort of your home. Check out our accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

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