"I am that gadfly which God has attached to the state"
Postgraduate Studies - How to apply
An application to one of our postgraduate courses (or
to be admitted as a visiting research student) should include:
-
An application
form
- A research
proposal (if applying for a research degree)*
- Two academic
references
- Transcripts of previous degree results
- Proof of
English Language proficiency (if English is not your native
language)
- Copies of one (or two, if you prefer) recent
short pieces of written work in an appropriate area e.g. essays
written for your BA/MA module.
*
The research proposal should be
around 2,000 words, excluding the bibliography. It should first
of all describe the area of your proposed research. You should
then list the problems or questions within this area that you
expect to address in your research. It may help if you list
these problems or questions as a series of bullet points. It is
not sufficient simply to state what topics in philosophy
interest you in a general way. More specifically, you should
explain how the research you intend to carry out
relates to current research being conducted in the area.
However, you are not expected to anticipate conclusions in your
research proposal. The proposal should conclude with a
bibliography (15-20 items) of important books and articles in
the area of your proposed research. It is essential that your
proposal be detailed enough to enable us to judge the adequacy
of your preparation for the research, the feasibility of the
project and whether appropriate supervision will be available.
For an MPhil proposal we would expect 1,500 words in a similar
format. For the MA by Dissertation or Doctoral Programme
(Integrated Phd) in Philosophy we would expect 1,000 words.
This does not include the bibliography, which should list
between 10-15 items for an MPhil and around 10 items for MA by
Dissertation/Doctoral Programme.
Although the
School does not have closing dates for applications,
applicants intending to commence study in the Autumn term of a
given year should endeavour to apply before the end of June so
as to ensure prompt handling of their application before the
Summer vacation, and to meet the deadline for applications for
accommodation. Students seeking studentships (Arts and
Humanities Research Board, ORS, University of Essex) are advised
to apply well in advance of the studentship deadlines to enable
us to advise you of our decision prior to the submission of your
studentship application.
Further detailed information may be found in the
Postgraduate prospectus.
Tuition Fees:
Information regarding tuition fees
is available online.
Entrance Requirements:
Normally BA Honours 2.1 or equivalent in philosophy, or a
joint honours degree including philosophy, and in the case of a
research degree candidates must also demonstrate their capacity
to conduct independent research and will be required to submit a
detailed research proposal (see above).
For the MA's in Continental Philosophy and Health Care
Ethics/Law: Normally,
BA/BSc Honours 2.1 or equivalent, preferably in Philosophy or in
a Health related subject. Exceptions may be made depending on
individual circumstances, in particular for practitioners who do
not hold a first degree but have academic ability and a long
record of practice.
English Language Requirements:
Language requirements: IELTS 7.0 TOEFL 600 and TOEFL (computer)
250 or comparable.
Applicants offered a place
in the School are warmly invited to visit in advance of
registering and to sit in on seminars and other School
events if they wish to do so. Please contact the
Graduate Administrator to arrange a
visit.
The School of Philosophy and Art History's
enquiries and applications
are processed by
Graduate Admissions.
If you would like more
information about postgraduate study at the University of Essex,
then please use our
online enquiry form.
Applications/supporting documentation should be addressed to:
Joanne Bateman,
Graduate Admissions,
University of Essex,
Wivenhoe Park,
Colchester,
Essex, CO4 3SQ,
U.K.