PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
Philosophy
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
MA
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
N/A
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
From 2015 entry onwards
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Arts and Humanities
Parent Department:
Philosophy
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Departmental web page address:
(if applicable)
www.ucl.ac.uk/philosophy
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/philosophy/current-students/ma-programmes
Method of study:
Full time / Part time
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
At least an upper second class Honours degree or an equivalent overseas
qualification in philosophy. Candidates who have no, or insufficient, background in
philosophy are required to take the two General Philosophy modules in the first
term.
Length of the programme:
1 year full time / 2 years part time
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such
as study abroad or placements in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
Masters Level (Level 7)
Philosophy
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
(see guidance notes)
Eight 15 credit modules (4 in 1st term, 4 in 2nd term) all assessed
by essay except Research Preparation 2 assessed by summer
exam (2hrs). 60 credit dissertation – supervision in the summer
term – submitted first working day in September.
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
MA Philosophy
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
N/A
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit:
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
1. To provide the student with an understanding of a representative range of central philosophical debates, and of the
nature of philosophical problems.
2. To enable students to form their own views concerning philosophical problems, to argue for those views and to
defend or amend them in the light of criticism.
3. To provide an understanding of philosophy at a level above that of undergraduate students.
4. In the case of students without substantial background in philosophy, to acquire a broad grounding in central topics
in philosophy.
5. Have carried out a piece of supervised research on a specific philosophical topic and presented a coherently
argued account of that topic in a structured dissertation.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding,
qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
1. several areas in philosophy chosen
from a wide range including problems
in contemporary analytic philosophy,
the history of philosophy, and the
study of value; at a level of depth
beyond that acquired at
undergraduate level.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Teaching is primarily by seminars and (for the
Dissertation) supervisions. Students without previous
significant study of philosophy must take the two
General Philosophy modules, which requires them to
study topics in epistemology & metaphysics and in moral
& political philosophy.
2. for those without a previous
significant study of philosophy, a
selection from a wide range of central
topics in philosophy
Assessment:
Students take eight modules, inclusive of the two
compulsory MA Research Preparation seminars, and
submit a dissertation at the end of their course. Modules
are examined by course essay, with the exception of the
second MA Research Preparation seminar, which
involves a written examination in the third term. The
dissertation must be on an approved topic.
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. Close reading and understanding
of philosophical texts.
2. A critical command of philosophical
terminology.
3. Ability to formulate philosophical
questions with clarity and precision.
4. Ability to summarize philosophical
views and positions.
5. Ability to support and challenge
philosophical views and positions
by constructing arguments and citing
relevant considerations.
6. Ability to plan, research and execute a
substantial piece of philosophical writing.
Seminars include a directed reading each week and
substantial group discussion. In their final term students
have supervisions on their dissertations.
Assessment:
Students receive substantial qualitative feedback on
their work. Quantitative assessment is through the
examination system, in which examiners give credit both
for the knowledge and understanding displayed by the
candidates, but also the thinking and reasoning skills
they demonstrate through their work.
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
1. Retrieve, select and critically
analyse material from a variety of
sources, including electronic
databases and the internet.
2. Plan and undertake work to
deadline.
3. Orally present their work to a
group.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
These practical skills are all part and parcel of a system
in which students are given a topic to research, and an
essay to write and present. Students also take part in
the MA seminar, in which they are required to present a
philosophical text or problem to the year group as a
whole.
Assessment:
As with other skills these are assessed through formal
and informal feedback within the essay and seminar
system, and performance in the examinations, including
the dissertation.
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. Analyse complex thoughts and
arguments.
2. Complete specified tasks to deadline.
3. Develop independence of judgement
and originality of thought.
4. Engage in critical discussion with
others.
5. Evaluate arguments rigorously.
6. Read and assess difficult texts.
7. Present views lucidly, both orally and
in writing.
8. Question generally received views.
9. Plan, undertake and complete
independent study.
10. Think about issues from many
different points of view.
All of these skills are developed in the course of
successful participation in module seminar sessions and
subsequent summative assessment, which requires
reading and analysis of complex philosophical material;
the critical assessment of the work read; thinking about
and developing a view of the underlying philosophical
issues; presenting one’s findings to others; defending
one’s position against criticism.
Assessment:
As with other skills these are assessed through formal
and informal feedback within the essay and seminar
system, and performance in the examinations, including
the dissertation.
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements);
 the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
 UCL teaching and learning policies;
 staff research.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the
learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes
full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the
departmental course webpages. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually
by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s)
Sebastian Gardner
Name(s):
Date of Production:
20/11/15
Date of Review:
20/11/15
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
Dr D Lavin 11/12/15
December 2015