Introduction
Exploring philosophical concepts and theories ranging from continental and non-western philosophy to ethics, epistemology, the history of philosophy, the philosophy of science, and the key areas of analytic philosophy.
Study Information
At a Glance
- Degree Qualification
- MLitt or PhD
Based in the School of Divinity, History and Philosophy, our research programmes in Philosophy are distinguished for research on history of philosophy, the philosophy of science (especially philosophy of biology), the history of ethics and political philosophy, and key areas of analytic philosophy: epistemology, metaphysics, and philosophy of language.
September and January start dates available
Our Research
Based in the School of Divinity, History, Philosophy and Art History, our research programmes in Philosophy are distinguished for research on the history of philosophy, Chinese philosophy, the philosophy of science (especially the philosophy of biology), the history of ethics and political philosophy, and key areas of analytic philosophy: epistemology, metaphysics, and philosophy of language.
- Professor Michael Beaney: Supervision is offered in the history of analytic philosophy, particularly the thought of Frege, Wittgenstein, Stebbing, and Collingwood. He also has interests in creativity, historiography, and Chinese philosophy of language and logic.
- Professor Vikki Entwistle: Supervision is offered in ethics, philosophy of medicine and interdisciplinary projects in philosophy and public health. Professor Entwhistle is an interdisciplinary scholar combining philosophy with social research to understand and address challenges in public health and healthcare provision in relation to human well being and social justice.
- Dr Gerry Hough: Supervision is offered in philosophy of language, including opaque contexts, substitutivity, and the semantics of belief reports.
- Professor Jesper Kallestrup: Supervision is offered in epistemology, philosophy of mind and philosophical methodology. Recent research interests include topics in social epistemology such as testimony, trust and group knowledge, and the metaphysics of mind and knowledge such as extended knowledge and cognitive integration.
- Professor Beth Lord: Supervision is offered in History of Philosophy. Dr Lord's research focuses on Spinoza and Kant, with particular emphasis on themes in Spinoza’s metaphysics and political philosophy. Supervision is also offered in subjects relating to 18th-21st century continental philosophy, including continental interpretations of historical texts and interdisciplinary projects.
- Dr Federico Luzzi: Supervision is offered in epistemology broadly construed--with particular emphasis on knowledge from non-knowledge--epistemic injustice, and gender equality in sports.
- Dr Luca Moretti: Dr Luca Moretti: Supervision is offered in epistemology, including the epistemology of perception, the epistemology of inference, the epistemology of testimony, the epistemology of education, and political epistemology.
- Dr Ulrich Stegmann: Dr Ulrich Stegmann: Supervision is offered in philosophy of science, especially in the history and philosophy of biology. His recent interests include causation and causal selection, physical models and diagrams, empirical philosophy of science, and scientific metaphors.
- Dr Paula Sweeney: Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence and Philosophy of Technology.
- Dr Stephan Torre: Supervision is offered in the metaphysics of time, tense, self-locating content, modality, and persistence through time.
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
Eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Research Masters' students starting in September 2025 will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Explore this Global Scholarship, including eligibility details, on our dedicated page.
Aberdeen Global ScholarshipEntry Requirements
Normally, the minimum entrance requirement for admission to the PhD is an undergraduate degree with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in an appropriate field, or equivalent. It is preferable that you hold a Masters’ degree in the chosen area of study as well.
Alongside your application form, you will need to upload the following supporting documents online:
- Copies of your undergraduate and graduate degree certificates
- Academic transcripts for your undergraduate and graduate degrees.
- Two academic references; either the details of your referees provided on your application form or uploaded online with your application.
- Your research proposal
- If English is not your first language and you have not studied previously at an institution in the UK, you will need to demonstrate your proficiency in English by taking an IELTS, TOEFL or PTE academic test.
International Applicants
Fees and Funding
Scholarships
Eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Research Masters' students starting in September 2025 will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Explore this Global Scholarship, including eligibility details, on our dedicated page.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
Careers
Recent graduates from Philosophy at Aberdeen have gone on to enjoy successful careers, academic and otherwise. Some graduates hold full-time academic positions, while other Masters-level graduates have successfully taken up PhD study at Aberdeen or elsewhere. In general, careers that demand and reward analytical abilities and the capacity for clear expression of ideas will suit the accomplished Philosophy postgraduate well. Academic positions by no means exhaust such job prospects.
What our Alumni Say
Balint Kekedi
Marta Pawlowicz-Weychan
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
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School of Divinity, History, Philosophy and Art History
University of Aberdeen
50-52 College Bounds
Aberdeen
AB24 3DS