Philosophy


The discipline

The Philosophy department offers seven graduate-level programs ranging from the PhD to the Faculty Certificate. Although the school's strength lies in the area of analytic philosophy in the Anglo-American tradition, it is also able to offer high-quality supervision in many areas of recent European thought, feminism and the history of ideas. Refer to the front of the Arts postgraduate section for further information on the PhD and research Masters degrees.

Master of Arts in Philosophy by coursework and research

General information

Course code: 0017 · Course fees: Local students - HECS; international students - $A12,000 pa · Coordinator: Graham Oppy
The MA by research is a research degree which takes one of two forms - either it is by thesis alone or coursework combined with research (66 per cent). Students undertaking the MA by coursework and research are required to complete their program of study in one and a half years of full-time or three years of part-time study.

Entry requirements

Honours degree with H2A average or better, or MQual with a research component with a grade of H2A or above for both the overall program and the research component, or the equivalent, in philosophy or a related discipline.

Course structure

Students who take the 66 per cent research option undertake coursework to a value of 24 points - ie three eight-point subjects - chosen from the section's fifth-year-level offerings, and then complete a substantial thesis of 25,000 to 35,000 words under the supervision of one or more staff members. All students attend staff and honours seminars, and engage in philosophical discussion with staff members and peers.

Fifth-year-level subjects
First semester
Second semester

Particular subjects have prerequisites which may be excused for students with adequate backgrounds.

Master of Arts in Philosophy by coursework

General information

Course code: 0017 · Course fees: Local students - HECS; international students - $A12,000 pa · Coordinator: Graham Oppy
This course seeks to develop skills in philosophical analysis and writing. It provides an alternative means of undertaking graduate study in philosophy for those who do not wish to undertake research at an advanced level but who do wish to equip themselves with the tools necessary to understand recent advances and changes in the discipline. The course will be especially useful for students who are returning to study after time in the workforce, particularly those who wish to undertake graduate study in philosophy for the sake of advancing their careers.

Entry requirements

Either (i) a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree with results at least at H2B level in philosophy, or equivalent, or (ii) MQual in Philosophy or a related discipline with at least a credit average, or (iii) satisfactory completion of a Postgraduate Diploma of Arts (Philosophy) with at least credit average.
Special admission will be considered for people with a bachelors degree in another discipline honours degree with a grade of H2B or above, or with a different major in the following cases:

For those applying in the latter category, the following evidence must also be presented: two references which comment on the nature and extent of the experience; a full curriculum vitae; and a statement of up to 1000 words indicating the applicant's career objectives and reasons for applying for entry.

Course structure

The course requires completion of six, single-semester subjects (48 points in total) chosen from the following subjects:

In addition to the workload associated with each subject, students will also be expected to attend weekly work-in-progress seminars for honours and graduate students.

Masters Qualifying in Philosophy with a research component

General information

Program code: 1988 · Program fees: Local students - HECS; international students - $A12,000 pa · Coordinator: Graham Oppy
This program seeks to develop skills in philosophical analysis and writing and research methods which will prepare students for entry into an MA in Philosophy by research. It provides an alternative to the honours program, and will be especially useful for students who are coming back to study after time in the workforce, particularly those who wish to undertake graduate study in philosophy for the sake of advancing their careers. The program seeks to equip students with the tools necessary to understand recent advances and changes in the discipline, and to develop skills in analysis, writing and the oral presentation and defence of lines of thought.

Entry requirements

A pass BA degree with results at least at credit level in the third part of major sequence in philosophy, or equivalent.
Special admission will be considered for people with a credit-level bachelors degree in another discipline or with a different major in the following cases:

Course structure

The course requires completion of PHM4810.16 (Research project in philosophy), together with four, single-semester subjects (48 points in total) chosen from the following subjects:

In addition to the workload associated with each subject, students will also be expected to attend weekly work-in-progress seminars for honours and graduate students and to make a presentation to the seminar series.

Masters Qualifying in Philosophy by coursework

General information

Program code: 1987 · Program fee: Local students - HECS; international students - $A12,000 pa · Coordinator: Graham Oppy
This program seeks to develop skills in philosophical analysis and writing which will prepare students for entry into an MA in philosophy by coursework. It provides an alternative path into graduate study in philosophy for those students who wish to undertake graduate study in philosophy but who do not wish to undertake research at an advanced level. This program will be especially useful for students who are coming back to study after time in the workforce, particularly those who wish to undertake graduate study in philosophy for the sake of advancing their careers. The program seeks to equip students with the tools necessary to understand recent advances and changes in the discipline, and to develop skills in analysis, writing and the oral presentation and defence of lines of thought.

Entry requirements

A pass BA degree with results at least at credit level in the third part of major sequence in philosophy, or equivalent.
Special admission will be considered for people with a bachelors degree in another discipline or with a different major in the following cases:

Course structure

The program requires completion of six, single-semester subjects (48 points in total) chosen from the following subjects:

Postgraduate Diploma of Arts (Philosophy)

General information

Course code: 2517 · Course fees: Local students - HECS; international students - $A12,000 pa · Coordinator: Graham Oppy
This course seeks to provide students with an opportunity to further their knowledge and understanding of philosophy by engaging with the literature and by taking part in seminar work at postgraduate level. In particular, the course seeks to introduce and investigate fundamental problems in philosophy, and to provide a base into which people can successfully integrate their specific interests or relevant experience.

Entry requirements

Either (i) a bachelors degree with major in philosophy, or equivalent, or (ii) a Faculty Certificate in Philosophy with grades of credit average or above in philosophy.
Special admission will be considered for people with a bachelors degree in another discipline or with a different major in the following cases:

Course structure

The course requires completion of six single-semester subjects (48 points in total) chosen from the following subjects:

Faculty Certificate in Philosophy

General information

Program code: 2526 · Program fees: Local students - $3300; not available to international students · Coordinator: Graham Oppy
This program seeks to provide suitably qualified people with an opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in philosophy and to provide those who wish to proceed into a postgraduate diploma with an introduction to recent advances and changes in the discipline of philosophy. In particular, the program seeks to introduce and investigate foundational problems in philosophy, and to provide a base onto which people can successfully integrate their specific interests or relevant experience.

Entry requirements

Candidates with a bachelors degree in a field other than philosophy and with relevant experience which establishes their capacity for advanced study in philosophy are eligible for admission. The following principles will form the basis for decisions about admission for candidature without a bachelors degree: candidates with a minimum of five years substantial experience in fields which demand a level of philosophical expertise, eg suitable areas of writing, commentary and journalism; relevant professional experience (eg certain kinds of writing/journalism; membership of certain kinds of advisory bodies, eg to government; occupancy of suitable roles in appropriate organisations, eg public service departments; belonging to the higher levels of the judiciary; etc).
Applicants will be required to provide the following: (i) two references which comment on the nature and extent of their experience;(ii) a full CV; and (iii) a statement of up to 1000 words indicating the applicants career objectives and reasons for applying for entry.

Course structure

The program requires completion of three, single semester subjects (24 points in total) chosen from the following subjects: