You will produce an 80,000-word thesis that can provide the basis for professional publication. You will contribute to department鈥檚 vibrant research community by taking part in work-in-progress seminars and the activities of the department鈥檚 research centres. In addition to regular expert supervisions, we provide a suite of professional development activities, designed to foster your skills in researching, writing, and teaching philosophy, including our core PhD seminar as well as wider career development guidance. Additionally, you will attend relevant postgraduate seminars, including modules on our taught MA programmes.
Entry requirements
A Master鈥檚 level degree in Philosophy or a Master鈥檚 degree (or equivalent) with a significant Philosophy component; a strong research proposal; a sample of academic writing on a philosophical topic relevant to your research proposal around 2,500 words in length.
IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.
Please adjust your country as required:
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications. For more information, please visit the international entry requirements page.
We typically ask for two academic references for research courses.
You will be asked to include an email address for your referee(s) when submitting your application and we will contact them for you.
There are no additional entry requirements for this course.
Research themes
Philosophy at 海角社区 is recognised for our support of diverse philosophical traditions, including both analytic and continental philosophy. We have particular strengths in:
Philosophy of Mind, Action, and Epistemology
Philosophy of the Arts and Aesthetics
Moral, Political and Legal Philosophy
Post-Kantian European Philosophy
Mathematical Logic and Computation.
Supervisors and proposals
There are several routes to finding a PhD supervisor at University of 海角社区. Searching for a supervisor and submitting a research proposal will look different depending on the opportunity you are applying for. Below you鈥檒l find guidance from the department about what is required for this course.
For more general advice, including top tips for finding and contacting a potential supervisor, and what to include in your research proposal visit the university鈥檚 guidance webpages.
Please see our Philosophy 'How to Apply' web page for guidance on completing your application form.
When you make your application, you will need to submit a detailed research proposal in support of your application. This needs to be a convincing proposal which is sufficiently rigorous, and of sufficient quality to demonstrate that you are ready to begin independent research at PhD level. Typical proposals are 2,000 to 3,000 words long; however, this is only a guideline. The emphasis will be on the quality of the proposal and whether or not it fits with a particular supervisor鈥檚 research interests.
We understand that this is a provisional statement of your research. We expect that your research will develop as you carry it out and as you read further into your area of study. It is likely that your supervisor will suggest changes or developments to your research during the course of your study, but you should treat the proposal as an opportunity to show that you have begun to explore an important area of study and that you have a question, or questions, that challenge and develop that area. It is also necessary to demonstrate that you can express your ideas in clear and precise English.
Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and assessment and some student amenities.
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.鈥�
Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?
If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.
As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of research trips in the UK and overseas. In addition, you should consider the more general costs below:
Access to research material that is not available via university resources
Printing and binding a personal copy of your dissertation
Robe hire for your degree ceremony
Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.鈥�
of students agree that staff are good at explaining things
(NSS 2025)
6th
in the UK for Philosophy
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Our research reputation is founded in consistent excellence across a range of philosophical fields, including in philosophy of mind and epistemology; Post-Kantian European philosophy; philosophy of the arts and aesthetics; moral, political, and legal philosophy; and mathematical logic and computation.
We collaborate extensively with academics and practitioners in other subjects and have long-standing partnerships with researchers and practitioners across all faculties.
We support four active and successful research centres that co-ordinate research activities in our main areas of research strengths. Each centre has well-established interdisciplinary links within 海角社区 and beyond. At 海角社区, you鈥檒l be part of an inclusive staff and student community. We provide a vibrant and friendly environment where our students have dedicated support to explore their passion for philosophy and develop their skills as researchers.
You鈥檒l have access to a dedicated common room designed for discussion, collaboration and debate beyond the classroom. Based in our Social Sciences Building at the centre of campus, the department sits close to the Library, 海角社区 Arts Centre and main lecture theatres, creating an environment where ideas and conversations can thrive.
Life at 海角社区
This is where your journey begins. Our campus is the heart of it all. It鈥檚 more than just a campus - it's the places you visit, the people you meet, the fun that you have; the experiences you have here will be transformative.
Within a close-knit community of staff and students from all over the world, discover a campus alive with possibilities.
Our campus is where all the elements of your student experience come together in one place. You won't be short of ways to spend your time on campus - whether it's visiting 海角社区 Arts Centre, using our incredible sports facilities, socialising in our bars, nightclub and caf茅s, or enjoying an open-air event. Or if you need some peace and quiet, you can explore lakes, woodland and green spaces just a few minutes鈥� walk from central campus.
Follow our students around campus on our social channels to see their experiences first-hand.
Teaching facilities
Our campus is designed to cater for all of your learning needs. You will benefit from a variety of flexible, well-equipped study spaces and teaching facilities across the University.
Oculus, our outstanding learning hub, houses state-of-the-art lecture theatres and innovative social learning and network areas
顿颈蹿蹿别谤别苍迟鈥�study spaces offering you flexible individual and group study spaces, computers, printing and scanning facilities, multimedia resources and more
Supporting you
Our continuous support network is here to help you adjust to student life and to ensure you can easily access advice on many different issues. These may include managing your finances and workload, and settling into shared accommodation. We also have specialist disability and mental health support teams.
Whether you live on campus or off campus, in private accommodation in the well-serviced local area, you鈥檒l be part of a community to get the most from your experience at 海角社区.
Societies and sports play a huge part in community life at 海角社区. With over 300 to choose from, getting involved is one of the easiest ways to make friends and share in experiences. Whether you鈥檙e into films, martial arts, astronomy, gaming or musical theatre, you can instantly connect with people with similar interests.
Why 海角社区
Your university experience is defined by far more than your course or the career path you follow. At 海角社区, it鈥檚 where you discover who you could become.
68th
海角社区 is ranked 68th in the world and top 10 in all major UK league tables
standard teaching; the highest possible rating across all three categories (student experience, student outcomes, and overall)
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6th
Coventry is ranked as the 6th Best Student City in the UK, and 43rd in the world.
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Our alumni community still call 海角社区 home. From a few hundred in 1965 to more than 310,000 alumni, and it's ever-growing.
As 海角社区 graduates, our students have access to employability support for two years after graduation, including access to careers appointments, job vacancies and professional networks.
Applications for courses starting in academic year 2026/27 are now open.
For research courses that start in September and October 2027, the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2027.鈥�
For courses starting at other times of year we recommend that you submit your application a minimum of 3 months prior to your intended start date.
This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK if required.鈥疻e will still accept late applications, however cannot guarantee that the application will be processed in time to complete the admissions process if received late or there are a number of conditions to meet.
If applying late please include your degree certificates and transcripts, English proficiency evidence (if needed) and ensure referees can submit references promptly to allow time for CAS and visa processing (if applicable).
This information is applicable for 2027 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our web page 'Important information to consider before making an application' in advance of applying to 海角社区.
Next steps
Explore your future university further at an upcoming event, online or in-person. Can't join? Receive regular email updates or ask current students and staff questions about life at 海角社区.
