Philosophy PhD

Program Overview

The PhD in Philosophy program at the University of Nottingham involves completing an 80,000-word written thesis and a verbal examination (viva voce). Students receive expert support from supervisors who actively research in various philosophical areas, including metaphysics, ethics, epistemology, and history of philosophy. Graduates pursue careers in various sectors, including business, academia, and public service.

Program Outline

Outline:

• You will complete a written thesis of around 80,000 words, with expert support and advice from your academic supervisors.
• You will also take a verbal examination called a viva voce where you explain your project in depth to an examination panel.

Teaching:

• You will have a minimum of two supervisors who will offer expert guidance, support and feedback throughout your research.
• If appropriate researchers can also have supervisors from outside the Department of Philosophy.
• You're encouraged to identify and contact a potential supervisor before submitting an application.

Careers:

• Philosophy doesn’t lead to a single specific career - it leads into a huge range of professions!
• business and finance
• commercial, industrial and public sector management and marketing
• sales and advertising
• academic research

Other:

• We're one of the leading philosophy research communities in the UK and welcome applications from enthusiastic and committed PhD students.
• We offer:
• experienced and expert supervision
• internationally recognised research publishing
• a highly inclusive and supportive environment
• Our research strengths
• We're active across a mixture of established and emerging areas.
Particular strengths include:
• Applied, Feminist and Social Philosophy
• Metaphysics and Mind
• Logic and Language
• Philosophy of Science
• History of Philosophy
• Philosophy of Religion
• Epistemology
• Moral Philosophy
• Political and Legal Philosophy
Contact us to discuss your particular interests.
• Current staff research and expertise
• We host to two active research groups that you are encouraged to get involved with:
• Nottingham Centre for Social Philosophy
• Political Epistemology Network
• We also have seven active research clusters:
• Philosophy Without Borders
• Gender, Sex, Race and Social Identity
• Recreation, Play and Games
• South and East Asian Philosophy
• Science and Metaphysics
• Normative Philosophy
• Mind, Psychology and Mental Health
• Current PhD research
• Our current PhD students are exploring a diverse range of issues including:
• metaethics
• homelessness
• AI ethics
• moral responsibility
• philosophy of action
• medical ethics
• the nature of perception
• the philosophy of time
• social epistemology
• microaggressions
• environmental ethics
• truth
• health and trust
• Recently completed theses
• Hume’s moral sentiments and Humean moral aliefs - James Chamberlain
• Physical disability and well-being - Thomas Crawley
• Humean revisions to the best system account of lawhood - Mike Hughes
• Normativity and ethics: the error in the error theory - Kipros Lofitis
• Dispositionalism: a study on properties - Andrea Raimondi
• Weakness of will and its connection with practical reasons - Samaneh Keshavarz

• UK fees: £5,100
• International fees: £21,500
• Part-time students are charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).