Overview
We have teaching staff with strong research profiles in modern European philosophy. They have an interest in interdisciplinary research and collaboration.
Research supervision is available in the following areas:
Continental philosophy and the history of European ideas
- Vico
- post-Kantian thought (including Hegel and German idealism)
- Kierkegaard
- Nietzsche
- phenomenology
- Hermeneutics
- psychoanalysis
- Bataille
- Frankfurt School
- the Situationists
- Poststructuralism (including Deleuze, Foucault and Derrida)
- posthumanism
- postmodernism (including Vattimo)
Aesthetics
- philosophy and the arts
- philosophy of music
- philosophy and contemporary art
- philosophy and literature (particularly Blanchot)
Ethics
- theoretical
- applied
- social
Social and political philosophy
Philosophy and religion
You can find further information on staff research interests.
Please contact us about the suitability of your research ideas.
Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you’ll learn
Taught modules aim to extend your knowledge and skills beyond undergraduate level and help to develop your research skills.
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Course content changes
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Information Skills | 10 |
| The Making and Unmaking of Knowledge | 10 |
| Philosophy MLitt Research Assignments | 80 |
| Philosophy MLitt Research Dissertation | 80 |
How you’ll learn
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Written exercise
Your development
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS) researcher development programme
Each faculty offers a researcher development programme for its postgraduate research students. We have designed your programme to help you:
- perform better as a researcher
- boost your career prospects
- broaden your impact
Through workshops and activities, it will build your transferable skills and increase your confidence.
You’ll cover:
- techniques for effective research
- methods for better collaborative working
- essential professional standards and requirements
Your researcher development programme is flexible. You can adapt it to meet your changing needs as you progress through your doctorate.
Find out more about the Researcher Education and Development programme
Your future
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 125 for Arts and Humanities – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
- Top 90 for Arts and Humanities – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Check the government’s website for more information.
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a humanities or social science subject.
