Introduction

The SASP graduate programme received a tremendous endorsement by the latest Research Assessment Exercise, which rated St Andrews and Stirling as the top Scottish Philosophy departments, with St Andrews at the very top of the UK tables and Stirling in the top ten. Collectively, 35% of our work was awarded the 4* world-leading grade, with a further 40% rated internationally excellent and the remainder internationally recognised. Our thriving research student community is key to our success, and we thank our students, past and present, for their energy and dedication.

The St Andrews and Stirling Graduate Programme in Philosophy (SASP) is taught by the Philosophy Departments in the Universities of St Andrews and Stirling. The philosophy graduate programmes of St Andrews and Stirling are now fully merged for all postgraduate degrees.

St Andrews and Stirling together form Scotland's premier centre for philosophy and one of the top philosophy schools in the United Kingdom. The philosophical ambience is intense, friendly and co-operative.

The programme maintains a staff of authoritative researchers that is large enough to teach a comprehensive and flexible range of graduate courses, and to supervise research projects. It offers graduate teaching at a level that matches the best graduate programmes elsewhere in the world, in a wide area of philosophy and the history of philosophy.

You can get an idea of individual research interests within SASP from the departmental websites of St Andrews and Stirling.

Many recent SASP students now hold permanent or tenure-track positions in the US, the UK and elsewhere. For more details, see our placement record.

In the latest Philosophical Gourmet Report (PGR), produced by Professor Brian Leiter of the University of Texas at Austin, SASP was ranked the 2nd best philosophy program in the UK.

For further information about SASP, please browse this website or consult our frequently asked questions.

"The St Andrews Philosophy Department is a great place to study. Its atmosphere is buzzing with activity and yet the environment is relaxed and collegial. I came here to do a one year postgraduate degree in philosophy. Almost immediately I found that the place offered a perfect opportunity for taking part in an excellent community of renowned researchers. And since I also liked the town itself, I was very pleased when I got the chance to extend my studies here."

Andreas, Denmark - current PhD student

"Within a world-class philosophy department, students can develop their skills and pursue their academic interests in committed yet friendly surroundings, working closely with many of the most prominent researchers of the discipline. The Arché Research Centre offers students a remarkable opportunity to attend a vast number of seminars, workshops and conferences and also a rare chance to work with some of Arché's many visitors."

Andri, Iceland - Current PhD student