MA Philosophy and Literature

MA in Philosophy and Literature

Immerse yourself in the captivating realm of philosophy and literature with the Philosophy & Literature MA programme. This interdisciplinary one-year course, extendable to two years part-time, delves into the intriguing intersections between philosophy and literature. Explore the essence of texts, the worlds they portray, and the intricate relationships between reader, text, author, and reality.

Enhance your critical thinking and research skills while gaining a profound understanding of global ideas and academic pursuits. The programme equips you with the ability to craft compelling philosophical arguments, present papers confidently, and navigate diverse philosophical debates.

An interview with a student of the MA in Philosophy and Literature

Programme Content and Structure (2025/26)

The programme may be taken in one year (full-time) or two years (part-time) and comprises of six modules: three from the School of Philosophy and three from schools of literatures. Information on each module can be found in the Graduate Handbook and on SISWeb by searching the module code. These must be chosen as follows.

(A)  Core Module (1)

One core module, compulsory for all students on the programme, in the Spring trimester:

• PHIL40410 Philosophy and Literature

(B)  Philosophy Options (2)

Two of the following Philosophy MA modules:

 Autumn Trimester

• PHIL40250 Merleau-Ponty’s Phenomenology of Perception
• PHIL40970 Topics in Philosophy of Mind & Cognition
• PHIL41320 Topics in Continental Philosophy
• PHIL41240 Newman: Philosophical Perspectives 
• PHIL41280 Feminist & Gender Theory
• PHIL41510 Ethics in Public Life
• PHIL41890 Authenticity & Implicit Attitudes

Spring Trimester

• PHIL40420 The Good Society
• PHIL40960 The Cultural Mind
• PHIL41350 Metaphysics
• PHIL41810 Critique, Destruction & Deconstruction
• PHIL41880 Reading Nietzsche
• PHIL41920 Love & Friendship in Early Modern Philosophy
• PHIL41960 Environmental Ethics

(C)  Literature Modules (3)

Three of the following literature modules:

Autumn Trimester

• ENG40940 Theory of Gender & Sexuality*
• ENG41570 World-Systems, World-Literature*
• ENG41640 Joyce, Ulysses*
• ENG41670 Contemporary US Genre Fiction*
• GRC40330 Exploring New Worlds
• IRFL40170 The Narrative Art*
• SLL40230 Introduction to Cultural Theory*

Spring Trimester

• EDF30060 Digital Methods
• ENG41840 American Lyric*
• ENG41860 Queer Fictions*
• ENG40280 Un/Settling Global Literatures*
• GRC40290 The Plays of Euripides
• SPAN40360 Historical Memory in Spain*^/**

*Limited places – students may only take one ENG module and must confirm with Assistant Professor Lisa Foran before registration 

**Students require competency in Spanish—teaching and texts in Spanish language only.

• Please note: The School of Philosophy is not responsible for modules in other schools. Some of these modules may not be accessible to students on this MA programme because of (i) cancellation, (ii) oversubscription, or (iii) a timetable clash. Changes in the timetables of other Schools might be made as late as August. Even when a module is available to Philosophy students, places may be limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

(D)  Dissertation

Students must complete a dissertation of 12,000–15,000 words on a relevant topic, due in mid-August. The dissertation must be supervised by a member of the School of Philosophy, although students may consult members of other schools for informal advice. Students are encouraged to discuss possible topics with their lecturers as early as possible.

Note: Part-time students must complete their dissertation in the second year.

(opens in a new window)Entry Requirements for Taught MA Programmes

• A BA with a 2:1 or above (a GPA of approx. 3·2) in Philosophy, or international equivalent
  
  or
  
  
• A Joint Major BA with a 2:1 in Philosophy and a 2:2 or above in the second subject and
• A Postgraduate Diploma with a 2:1 or above in Philosophy

However, all applications are assessed on a case by case basis, and so students with a 2:2 in Philosophy should also consider applying.

Required Application Documents and What We Look For 

1. Two academic references: These should be from academic referees who can speak to your promise as an MA student. Referees may send their letters directly to (opens in a new window)philosophy@ucd.ie or you can upload them to the portal, depending on your referees’ preference. 
2. Writing sample: A philosophical essay or paper of up to 3,000 words (for example, an undergraduate essay submitted as part of your undergraduate degree on a philosophical topic of your choice). We assess the quality of arguments, intellectual maturity, and clarity of style.
3. Statement of personal interest: A short statement (maximum 1,000 words) explaining your motivation for further study, research interests, and your reasons for applying to UCD School of Philosophy.
4. Academic transcripts: Official transcripts for all university-level study. These help us to evaluate your coursework performance, grades, and consistency of achievement.
5. Proof of English language proficiency: Fluency in written English is required. If you are not a native speaker of English and your secondary education or university degree has not been carried out in English, then you must have a minimum score of 6·5 IELTS (minimum of 6·0 in each band), and submit evidence of this in your application. Please consult this page for further details.