Continental Philosophy MA

Duration

13 Months

22 Months

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Time, freedom and what it means to be human. Philosophy has never shied away from tackling the big questions in life.

Through our Continental Philosophy MA, you will have a fascinating introduction to key figures and philosophical movements that shaped thinking on fundamental issues. They include Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Arendt, Bergson, Deleuze and Foucault.

You’ll gain a thorough grounding in the European tradition of philosophy, which inspired a series of movements spanning several centuries. It will include developing an advanced understanding of phenomenology, existentialism, hermeneutics, critical theory, vitalism, deconstruction and the engagement of philosophy with the sciences.

You’ll plot a path through these hugely influential developments and will get to specialise in your own area of interest. It will include delving into research for a dissertation.

Our students choose a wide range of topics for these projects, with some focusing on a particular philosopher or problem.

As continental philosophy also has connections with film, art, literature, psychology and political theory, there are many exciting avenues to explore. Your self-devised dissertation could take you anywhere from posthuman ethics to psychoanalysis and horror films.

Our course is one of the few of its kind to be offered entirely through online learning. This means you can study at a time that suits you, from the comfort of your own home, anywhere in the world.

As we attract students from as far afield as the UK, US, Spain, Greece, South Africa and the Middle East – and are looking to expand our reach to Australia and Canada - you will become part of a diverse international learning community.

The MA is ideal if you want to pursue philosophy for enjoyment and to fit it round your existing work and other commitments. But we also have students starting out on the career ladder and those looking for professional development opportunities or a pathway to a PhD.

The transferable skills involved, such as critical thinking and problem-solving, are useful for a wide range of careers.

During the course, you’ll take part in collaborative sessions and reading groups, experience online lectures, seminars and podcasts, and contribute to discussion boards.

We pride ourselves on providing regular contact and support from our academics, who are renowned experts in their field. There will also be visiting international speakers and Q&As. Other opportunities could include attending online conferences.

Through our Continental Philosophy MA, you will have a fascinating introduction to key figures and philosophical movements that shaped thinking on fundamental issues. They include Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Arendt, Bergson, Deleuze and Foucault.

You’ll gain a thorough grounding in the European tradition of philosophy, which inspired a series of movements spanning several centuries. It will include developing an advanced understanding of phenomenology, existentialism, hermeneutics, critical theory, vitalism, deconstruction and the engagement of philosophy with the sciences.

You’ll plot a path through these hugely influential developments and will get to specialise in your own area of interest. It will include delving into research for a dissertation.

Our students choose a wide range of topics for these projects, with some focusing on a particular philosopher or problem.

As continental philosophy also has connections with film, art, literature, psychology and political theory, there are many exciting avenues to explore. Your self-devised dissertation could take you anywhere from posthuman ethics to psychoanalysis and horror films.

Our course is one of the few of its kind to be offered entirely through online learning. This means you can study at a time that suits you, from the comfort of your own home, anywhere in the world.

As we attract students from as far afield as the UK, US, Spain, Greece, South Africa and the Middle East – and are looking to expand our reach to Australia and Canada - you will become part of a diverse international learning community.

The MA is ideal if you want to pursue philosophy for enjoyment and to fit it round your existing work and other commitments. But we also have students starting out on the career ladder and those looking for professional development opportunities or a pathway to a PhD.

The transferable skills involved, such as critical thinking and problem-solving, are useful for a wide range of careers.

During the course, you’ll take part in collaborative sessions and reading groups, experience online lectures, seminars and podcasts, and contribute to discussion boards.

We pride ourselves on providing regular contact and support from our academics, who are renowned experts in their field. There will also be visiting international speakers and Q&As. Other opportunities could include attending online conferences.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MA Continental Philosophy

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MA Continental Philosophy

Part-time study

The course is run as part-time online learning over 22 months.

Distance learning

If you start the course in September, you can choose from full-time or part-time study options. There is also a January start date, which involves part-time learning over 22 months.

The degree is delivered entirely through online learning, including a suite of internet-based resources. You will receive instruction through a variety of lectures, online discussion boards, online seminars, video podcasts as well as one-to-one meetings.

There is a lively and welcoming discussion forum for you to exchange and debate ideas with your lecturers and fellow students, along with visiting speakers and a team of leading academics to support you.

As an online course, you’ll find our fees very competitive.

Part-time study

The course is run as part-time online learning over 22 months.

Distance learning

If you start the course in September, you can choose from full-time or part-time study options. There is also a January start date, which involves part-time learning over 22 months.

The degree is delivered entirely through online learning, including a suite of internet-based resources. You will receive instruction through a variety of lectures, online discussion boards, online seminars, video podcasts as well as one-to-one meetings.

There is a lively and welcoming discussion forum for you to exchange and debate ideas with your lecturers and fellow students, along with visiting speakers and a team of leading academics to support you.

As an online course, you’ll find our fees very competitive.

Course content

The programme comprises the modules:

  • Transcendence and the Body (Kant and Nietzsche)
  • Phenomenology and Ontology (Heidegger and later phenomenological thought)
  • Knowledge and Politics (Foucault, epistemology and political philosophy)

You’ll also take a research topic in Continental Philosophy which will vary depending on the research activity of your tutors.

  • 2022-23 topic – different approaches to vitalism in continental philosophy. 

After completing the four taught modules, you develop your philosophical interests in a supervised research project.

The programme comprises the modules:

  • Transcendence and the Body (Kant and Nietzsche)
  • Phenomenology and Ontology (Heidegger and later phenomenological thought)
  • Knowledge and Politics (Foucault, epistemology and political philosophy)

You’ll also take a research topic in Continental Philosophy which will vary depending on the research activity of your tutors.

  • 2022-23 topic – different approaches to vitalism in continental philosophy. 

After completing the four taught modules, you develop your philosophical interests in a supervised research project.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Entry requirements

You’ll need an undergraduate degree in Philosophy, 2:1 or higher (or equivalent), or an appropriate level of interest and relevant experience. 

You’ll need an undergraduate degree in Philosophy, 2:1 or higher (or equivalent), or an appropriate level of interest and relevant experience. 

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.

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Facilities

Careers

After completing the Continental Philosophy MA, you’ll be equipped with transferable skills attractive to employers. These can be adapted to a range of professions including:

  • Education
  • Arts and media
  • Writing
  • Research
  • Further academic study  

Eager for more knowledge? Upon completion, you’ll be ideally placed for further academic study at PhD level. 

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

As a distance learning student you’ll be expected to study independently. Support is available when you need it. You can contact your tutor by phone, email or in person.

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your studies wherever you are. This includes discussion forums where you can debate subjects with your tutors and fellow students. 

As a distance learning student you’ll be expected to study independently. Support is available when you need it. You can contact your tutor by phone, email or in person.

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your studies wherever you are. This includes discussion forums where you can debate subjects with your tutors and fellow students. 

Assessment

We’ll assess your learning through an essay at the end of the course and your contribution to discussion boards throughout the course. 

Your assessments encourage you to investigate questions, scenarios and problems to help you develop knowledge and problem-solving skills.  

We’ll assess your learning through an essay at the end of the course and your contribution to discussion boards throughout the course. 

Your assessments encourage you to investigate questions, scenarios and problems to help you develop knowledge and problem-solving skills.  

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you online with:

  • Study skills (including reading, note-taking, presentation skills)
  • Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
  • Academic writing (including how to reference)
  • Research skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Revision and assessment skills (including time management)

 

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

You’ll be provided with ongoing formative feedback through the discussion boards and engagement with other students. 

You’ll be provided with ongoing formative feedback through the discussion boards and engagement with other students. 

Your study time will include independent learning and assessments as well as contribution to discussion boards. 

Your study time will include independent learning and assessments as well as contribution to discussion boards. 

Independent learning

The focus of this course is independent learning and individual study time. This could involve:

  • Set reading material or e-text books
  • Researching e-journals and e-books from the library or library books which can be posted to you (UK-based students only)
  • Preparing for your dissertation 

The focus of this course is independent learning and individual study time. This could involve:

  • Set reading material or e-text books
  • Researching e-journals and e-books from the library or library books which can be posted to you (UK-based students only)
  • Preparing for your dissertation 

Staff

Our core teaching team are experts in a range of areas including European Philosophy, phenomenology, French epistemology and the philosophy of science. 

Professor David Webb

Professor

David is the course leader for Continental Philosophy. His expertise includes Modern European Philosophy, especially phenomenology, and French epistemology and philosophy of science (Heidegger, Levinas, Foucault, Serres, Bachelard, Cavaill&egrav…

David's profile

Dr Patrick O'Connor

Associate Professor

Patrick is an associate professor of Philosophy . His main area of interest is European Philosophy. He writes about philosophy, film and literature

Patrick's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 22 September 2025 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for MA-Full-time, distance learning
Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,165 per course £9,165 per course

For the course starting on 27 January 2025 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for MA-Full-time, distance learning
Study option UK / Channel Islands
Part-time £8,865 per course

For the course starting on 22 September 2025 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for MA-Full-time, distance learning
Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Part-time £9,135 per course £9,135 per course

For the course starting on 26 January 2026 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for MA-Full-time, distance learning
Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Part-time £9,135 per course £9,135 per course

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Alumni discount

If you've previously completed a University of Staffordshire undergraduate degree (excluding HND and foundation degrees) you may be entitled to a discount of up to 25% off your course fees for any subsequent postgraduate taught course (terms apply, see the alumni discount page for details). If you have any questions about how this relates to you, please contact feesandbursaries@staffs.ac.uk.

Included in tuition fees
Included in the fees:

Travel, and accommodation costs incurred by compulsory trips and visits away from the University that are directly linked to the learning requirements of a specific module.

 

Travel, and accommodation costs incurred by compulsory trips and visits away from the University that are directly linked to the learning requirements of a specific module.

 

Not included in tuition fees
Not included in the fees:

The estimated cost of text books over the duration of the course. All essential text books are available from the library, but some students chose to purchase their own copies.

Travel, subsistence, entrance fees etc. incurred by optional trips and visits away from the University related to the course.

The estimated cost of text books over the duration of the course. All essential text books are available from the library, but some students chose to purchase their own copies.

Travel, subsistence, entrance fees etc. incurred by optional trips and visits away from the University related to the course.

Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning. 

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Our students

Having spent a year of distance learning studying analytical philosophy at another university, I wanted to get a solid grounding in European philosophy so I transferred to do my second year of the MA with Staffs Uni.

“I am delighted that I did so, not least because of the quality of tuition and the participation of the other students on the lively discussion forums but also because you are challenged and encouraged at every stage to develop your thinking. It was demanding, of course, and the academic standard is very high but having just finished, I am now confident that I have the skills and knowledge to continue in philosophy whenever I decide to. Thoroughly recommended.

Bob Lloyd

Continental Philosophy MA 2017

When I stumbled upon this programme, its Continental approach and affordable tuition made it a great choice. Being involved in the different courses was a great experience which really helped me to deepen my understanding of complicated concepts, and I gained a great deal of confidence and skills to write. The professors are profound in their research areas and are remarkably supportive and helpful. They accompany you patiently in this path and foster your growth.

Hamed Movahedi Pour, Tehran

MA Continental Philosophy 2017

Staffordshire's distance learning MA in Continental Philosophy has been the perfect solution to mediate my work schedule and desire to continue learning philosophy. Prof Webb and Prof Burnham have been excellent teachers and guides in each module that I've taken – and I'm extremely pleased with their critical, yet thoughtful, engagement with students.

Cameron Clark

MA Continental Philosophy 2017

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus MA Full-time, distance learning 22 September 2025 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations

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