Students who have studied philosophy during their undergraduate degree will have the opportunity to continue on with studying philosophy as a postgraduate qualification. After a Bachelor of Philosophy is completed, students can go on to study the Master of Philosophy, and finally the Doctor of Philosophy.
The prerequisite for applying to a Master of Philosophy is usually exceptional academic results in a Bachelor Degree of Philosophy. Most universities will expect applicants to have completed a distinction grade point average (GPA) when applying to the postgraduate school of philosophy.
Program Structure of the Master of Philosophy
Most philosophy schools offer a Master of Philosophy, mostly structured in a similar way. Students of the Masters of Philosophy prepare a thesis under supervision, which should display in depth knowledge of an original research topic. The Master of Philosophy is usually awarded after a minimum one to two years of full time study, or two to four years part time study.
Students of the Master of Philosophy are encouraged to develop new skills in research methodology and techniques, in order to analyse and critically evaluate existing literature and their own research results.
Topics can range from examining famous theories of philosophy, philosophers, to ideas about ethics, justice, our society, and so forth. Students completing a thesis in the school of philosophy are therefore expected to contribute to the existing body of knowledge by clarifying, critiquing, or interpreting existing knowledge.
Students who have completed the Master of Philosophy can continue on to further study for a Doctor of Philosophy.
Why study a Master of Philosophy?
Studying a Masters degree is a fantastic way to boost employment opportunities, with many graduates of the Master of Philosophy continuing on to teaching philosophy as academics. Graduates of the Master of Philosophy will also develop skills with real world applications for life in the workforce, including critical thinking, research skills, and building on existing information.