Why study this course?
The MLitt in Philosophy is a one-year taught postgraduate programme run by the St Andrews and Stirling Graduate Programme in Philosophy (SASP), taught by staff from both the University of St Andrews and the University of Stirling.
Highlights
- The St Andrews and Stirling Graduate Programme was ranked fourth in the UK in the latest Philosophical Gourmet Report – a ranking of graduate programmes in philosophy in the English-speaking world.
- Supervisors at both St Andrews and Stirling are available to oversee the MLitt dissertation.
- Students are fully matriculated members of both universities, St Andrews and Stirling, and have access to their study resources and support services.
- You can choose any of the optional modules offered by the SASP programme, allowing you to explore any combination of philosophical topics.
Part-time study
The Philosophy MLitt can also be taken as a part-time programme. Students will be expected to take three modules per year over two years, followed by an 8,000 to 10,000-word dissertation.
For more information about part-time study, please contact the postgraduate administrators by emailing pgpafs@st-andrews.ac.uk.
Teaching
Delivered through lectures, seminars and reading groups.
Class sizes
Groups range from 4 to 18 students.
Dissertation
A 8,000 to 10,000-word project undertaken as an independent study with regular supervision.
Support
Students have access to the full range of student support available at the two universities.
Modules
Those on the MLitt in Philosophy may sign up for any of the postgraduate taught modules offered by the philosophy departments at the universities of St Andrews and Stirling, building a timetable which best suits individual interests.
The course offers flexibility for those students who are not yet sure of their research interests, or who wish to gain a broader understanding of issues and debates across the discipline. This flexibility allows students to combine the modules which are of most interest: combining logic and ethics for example, or metaphysics and political philosophy.
Students must take one compulsory module over the course of the programme (Research Methods, in Semester 1) and choose five other postgraduate philosophy modules from those offered on the SASP programme. See a list of examples under Optional.
There is also an optional weekly seminar, Basic Logic, held throughout Semester 1 for students who wish to work on their knowledge of logic. This is a not-for-credit seminar.
Course information may change. Module information and course content, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at the University of St Andrews. We display the most up-to-date information possible, but this could be from a previous academic year. For the latest module information, see the module catalogue.
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- Research Methods: aims to foster the range of skills required for independent research in Philosophy. Students may choose to join a seminar group most related to their interests.
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- Action and Intention: The module will look at a range of contemporary issues concerning action and intention
- Advanced Philosophy of Language: Concerned with cutting-edge debates in the philosophy of language
- Classical Philosophy: The module will address topics in ancient metaphysics and ethics concentrating on selected readings from the works of Plato or Aristotle.
- Current Issues in Philosophy 1: This module focuses on philosophy of language and ethics.
- Gender Theory: explores the history and theory of gender studies and the ways in which gender is defined, generated, and communicated in different contexts.
- Kant: This module will focus on Kant's critical philosophy. The primary text will be one of his three Critiques.
- Modal Logic and Metaphysics: This module introduces students to advanced first-order modal logic and to the philosophical issues raised by possible worlds semantics.
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The final element of the MLitt is an 8,000 to 10,000-word dissertation. The dissertation should be on an area of philosophy you are interested in. You will be encouraged to start considering a topic for the dissertation during Semester 2. All students are supported for their dissertation by a relevant supervisor from St Andrews or Stirling.
If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MLitt, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MLitt.
What it will lead to
Careers
Recent graduates in Philosophy have found openings in:
- local government
- television production (Sky Sports)
- the National Health Service
- the Co-operative Bank
- insurance
- the Crown Prosecution Service
- publishing
- teaching English in Japan
We are committed to supporting your career aspirations, whatever stage your career is at. Our Careers Centre can help connect you to our extensive global alumni community for advice and mentoring, as well as offering career coaching, bespoke workshops, employer connections, experiences, and application support.
Our International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute can also support you with academic and professional skills development. The University’s Entrepreneurship Centre offers start-up support for those looking to freelance as well as create their own business.
Career training and advice for progressing onto research degrees is provided through both the participating universities.
Further study
If you have successfully completed the taught component of the MLitt in Philosophy, you may be eligible to proceed to the SASP MPhil. This involves a 40,000-word dissertation, which is examined by an internal and external examiner at the end of the second year. Students who re-register from the MLitt to the MPhil do not receive the MLitt award.
Students enrolled for the MLitt or MPhil are eligible to apply for a Philosophy PhD programme.
Why St Andrews?
The MLitt is enhanced by a busy programme of conferences, workshops and visiting speakers from universities in the UK and abroad. This includes:
- St Andrews Philosophy Club – meetings for visiting speakers
- Department of Philosophy at Stirling – meetings for visiting speakers
- the student Philosophy Society (PhilSoc) – programme of talks and events
- St Andrews research student weekly seminar
- annual reading party for postgraduate students
- There are discussion groups and seminars at the three St Andrews research centres associated with Philosophy:
There is also a wide range of student-led reading groups and informal seminars.
Alumni
When you graduate you become a member of the University's worldwide alumni community. Benefit from access to alumni clubs, the Saint Connect networking and mentoring platform, and careers support.
“I have been able to choose my essays and write about a wide range of philosophical subjects that specifically piqued my interest. I have learnt that provided I work hard, refer to others when help is needed and have good friends to surround me, I can accomplish anything I put my mind to.”
- London, England
Ask a student
If you are interested in learning what it's like to be a student at St Andrews you can speak to one of our student ambassadors. They'll let you know about their top tips, best study spots, favourite traditions and more.
Entry requirements
- A 2.1 Honours degree in or including philosophy. If you do not have an undergraduate degree in philosophy, you may be interested in the Conversion in Philosophy.
The qualifications listed are indicative of standard requirements for entry. Some academic Schools may require applicants to achieve higher grades than the standard to be competitive. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University takes a holistic view of every application.
If your qualification does not appear in the list, it may not meet the typical requirements for entry to this programme. You may need a higher-level qualification to be competitive, for example, a Masters degree.
English language requirements
Some applicants may need to provide an English language test score to evidence their English language ability. Find out who needs to provide evidence of English language ability. Details of acceptable tests and scores are provided below.
Test scores are only normally accepted if obtained within two years of the programme start date.
Application requirements
- CV
- personal statement (optional)
- sample of academic written work (2,000 words maximum)
- one original signed academic reference
- academic transcripts and degree certificates
Fees and funding
- UK: Tuition fees have yet to be set.
- Rest of the world: Tuition fees have yet to be set.
Application fee
Before we can begin processing your application, a payment of an application fee of £50 is required. In some instances, you may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Details of this, along with information on our tuition fees, can be found on the postgraduate fees and funding page.
Scholarships and funding
St Andrews and Stirling are both committed to supporting you through your studies, regardless of your financial circumstances. You may be eligible for scholarships, discounts or other support:
- GREAT Scholarship
- St Andrews Sanctuary Scholarship
- St Leonard's funding opportunities
- Graduate discount (15% off tuition fees)
You are also eligible to apply for funding opportunities available via the University of Stirling.
Contact us
- Postgraduate online information events
- The School can help with course content, teaching and other topics: ask the School
- Ask University Admissions about how to apply, fees, scholarships and other topics
Start your journey
Legal notices
Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy
Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the course archive.
Curriculum development
As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online.
Tuition fees
The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online.
Page last updated: 24 July 2026