Postgraduate research
Philosophy
Join our researchers working on the history of philosophy, aesthetics, epistemology, ethics, and language, logic and metaphysics.
About
In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) we were ranked 6th in the UK and joint 1st for the real world impact of our research
You'll have the opportunity to develop your own independent research project supported by your academic supervisor. In addition to these one-to-one supervisions, you'll present and discuss your work at a weekly postgraduate research seminar.
You'll also be able to develop your research and employability skills through our Skills Development Training Programme.
As a department we run staff-postgraduate reading groups, visiting speaker seminars, workshops, conferences and masterclasses. We have hosted the British Society for Ethical Theory annual conference, the British Postgraduate Philosophical Association annual conference, the British Wittgenstein Society Annual Conference and the British Society for Aesthetics graduate conference. You'll be encouraged to take an active role in all of these events.
When you join as a postgraduate you'll become a member of our humanities graduate school. This provides additional help and support, connections to funding opportunities as well as student-led activities and social networking.
Career opportunities are wide ranging and varied. Your PhD is an excellent preparation for an academic career. The transferable skills you'll develop are valuable for a wide range of professions which include teaching, arts administration, journalism and local and national government administration.
Main areas of research
Our research is concentrated in the following areas:
- history of philosophy
- aesthetics
- ethics
- epistemology
- language, logic and metaphysics.
Similar research degree topics
Find a research project
You can either apply for a structured studentship or propose your own PhD idea.
Taking a structured PhD will give you access to additional training, conferences and secondments.
Advertised PhD research projects
Funding and fees
Find a funded PhD project
We offer a wide range of fully funded studentships. We run several of our PhD studentships in partnership with doctoral training centres, meaning you'll benefit from enhanced training and guaranteed funding.
These studentships:
- are fully funded
- come with a maintenance grant to help towards living costs
- are open to UK and international students
Apply for a funded doctoral training centre studentship
As an arts and humanities student you may be able to apply for Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funding through the South West and Wales Doctoral Training Partnership (SWW DTP). You'll need to apply for funding separately from your application to us.
Doctoral training centres offer fully funded studentships which include:
- a taught first year
- 3 year of PhD research
Find out more about the SWW DTP.
Scholarships
We offer scholarships and teaching bursaries ourselves. Your potential supervisor can guide you on what is available.
If you’re an international student you may be able to apply for a scholarship from your country.
Find out more about scholarships
Fund your own PhD research project
Once you've found a supervisor, they can help you with potential funding sources. We offer match funding in some cases.
You'll need to state how you intend to pay for your tuition fees when you submit your application.
Find out more about funding your PhD
Take out a PhD loan
You can borrow up to £29,390 for a PhD starting on or after 1 August 2024. Doctoral loans are not means tested and you can decide how much you want to borrow.
Find out about PhD loans on GOV.UK
Apply for funding from a charity
You may be able to win funding from one or more charities to help fund your PhD.
Fees
We charge tuition fees for every year of study. If you're applying for a fully funded project, your fees will be paid for you.
2023 to 2024 entry:
| Subject | UK fees | International fees |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy full time | tbc | £18,600 |
| Philosophy part time | tbc | £9,300 |
| Philosophy (distance learning) full time | tbc | £18,600 |
| Philosophy (distance learning) part time | tbc | £9,300 |
2024 to 2025 entry:
| Subject | UK fees | International fees |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy full time | £4,786 | £19,200 |
| Philosophy part time | £2,393 | £9,600 |
| Philosophy (distance learning) full time | £4,786 | £19,200 |
| Philosophy (distance learning) part time | £4,786 | £9,600 |
2025 to 2026 entry:
| Subject | UK fees | International fees |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy full time | tbc | £19,620 |
| Philosophy part time | tbc | £9,810 |
| Philosophy (distance learning) full time | tbc | £19,620 |
| Philosophy (distance learning) part time | tbc | £9,810 |
Alumni discount
You’re eligible for a 10% alumni discount on a self-funded PhD if you’re a current student or graduate from the University of Southampton.
Potential supervisors
Research institutes, centres and groups
Our academics work within the following research themes.
- history of philosophy
- aesthetics
- ethics
- epistemology
- language, logic and metaphysics
In addition, we are involved in a number of interdisciplinary research centres.
How to apply
-
Choose your project type
Decide whether to apply to an advertised research project or create your own proposal.
-
Contact your potential supervisors
It's a good idea to email potential supervisors to discuss the specifics of your project. It's best to do this well ahead of the application deadline.
You’ll find supervisors’ contact details listed with the advertised project, or you can search for supervisors in the staff directory.
-
Gather your application documents
You’ll need to send us
- your CV with details of your academic record and research interests
- your academic transcript
- details of 2 current academic referees, with their institutional email addresses
- your research proposal or a short statement of your reasons for choosing the projects you’re applying for
- 2 samples of your written work of between 3,000 and 7,000 words, at least one which must be on a topic closely related to your proposed PhD topic
- IELTS or TOEFL certificate if English is not your first language
-
Apply
The application process is the same whether you're applying for a funded project, or have created a research proposal.
Our PhDs start in September each year. You’ll need to submit your application for September entry by 1 July of that year.
If you require a visa to study with us, please apply as early as possible and allow plenty of time for visa applications.
Facilities
-
Main library
Improve your subject knowledge and academic skills in the Hartley Library. With resources over 5 floors it's one of the largest university libraries in the south. -
Digital humanities facilities
Our digital humanities facilities are open to all humanities students for a variety of uses, allowing you to study using the latest technology.
Entry requirements
You should have a 2:1 honours undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification. You can also apply if your grade was lower than 2:1 – you’ll need to show you’ve made good progress since your degree.
If you have completed a master’s degree, you should have achieved a merit or above including 60%, for the dissertation. If you have not completed a master’s, you’ll need to show you can produce high quality writing and analysis.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you'll need an IELTS minimum level of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing, reading, speaking and listening.
Your awarded certificate needs to be dated within the last 2 years.
If you need further English language tuition before starting your degree, you can apply for one of our pre-sessional English language courses.
Requirements for advertised projects
Check the specific entry requirements listed on the project you’re interested in before you apply.
Programmes and durations
Research degrees have a minimum and maximum duration, known as the candidature. Your candidature ends when you submit your thesis.
Most candidatures are longer than the minimum period.
| Degree type | Duration |
| Philosophy PhD full time | 2 to 4 years |
| Philosophy PhD part time | 3 to 7 years |