Philosophy of Nature, Information and Technology MA

Duration

13 Months

22 Months

20 Months

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Philosophy has never been more relevant as we tackle key challenges in today’s ever changing society.

Should robots have rights? Has the surveillance state gone too far? How do we respond to the climate emergency? And what are the benefits of space tourists visiting other planets?

Take our Philosophy of Nature, Information and Technology MA and you’ll be debating and researching at the cutting edge. We do ‘philosophy now’.

The course elaborates on an understanding of the material world as a complex network in which information is exchanged – a world of communication.

It draws on contemporary philosophy (Michel Serres, Donna Haraway, N Katherine Hayles, Karan Barad)), information theory, cybernetics, and science, but also on the history of philosophy (Lucretius, Leibniz).

Human life, biological and social, is embedded in the open communication of the material world, offering a new perspective on problems that demand our attention today, such as our relation to nature, the climate emergency and the transformation by new technologies of what we understand as human.

From the local to the global, you’ll see how philosophy connects with the world around us.

This unique course also includes work on new materialisms, posthumanism and feminist epistemologies. And it explores process philosophy and the idea that information is a basic constituent of the universe.

You will also develop key research skills to help prepare for your in-depth dissertation.

The MA is 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 both the UK and abroad, you’ll become part of an international learning community.

The course is ideal if you want to pursue philosophy for enjoyment or to fit it round your existing work and other commitments. 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, 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.

Should robots have rights? Has the surveillance state gone too far? How do we respond to the climate emergency? And what are the benefits of space tourists visiting other planets?

Take our Philosophy of Nature, Information and Technology MA and you’ll be debating and researching at the cutting edge. We do ‘philosophy now’.

The course elaborates on an understanding of the material world as a complex network in which information is exchanged – a world of communication.

It draws on contemporary philosophy (Michel Serres, Donna Haraway, N Katherine Hayles, Karan Barad)), information theory, cybernetics, and science, but also on the history of philosophy (Lucretius, Leibniz).

Human life, biological and social, is embedded in the open communication of the material world, offering a new perspective on problems that demand our attention today, such as our relation to nature, the climate emergency and the transformation by new technologies of what we understand as human.

From the local to the global, you’ll see how philosophy connects with the world around us.

This unique course also includes work on new materialisms, posthumanism and feminist epistemologies. And it explores process philosophy and the idea that information is a basic constituent of the universe.

You will also develop key research skills to help prepare for your in-depth dissertation.

The MA is 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 both the UK and abroad, you’ll become part of an international learning community.

The course is ideal if you want to pursue philosophy for enjoyment or to fit it round your existing work and other commitments. 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, 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.

Should robots have rights? Has the surveillance state gone too far? How do we respond to the climate emergency? And what are the benefits of space tourists visiting other planets?

Take our Philosophy of Nature, Information and Technology MA and you’ll be debating and researching at the cutting edge. We do ‘philosophy now’.

The course elaborates on an understanding of the material world as a complex network in which information is exchanged – a world of communication.

It draws on contemporary philosophy (Michel Serres, Donna Haraway, N Katherine Hayles, Karan Barad)), information theory, cybernetics, and science, but also on the history of philosophy (Lucretius, Leibniz).

Human life, biological and social, is embedded in the open communication of the material world, offering a new perspective on problems that demand our attention today, such as our relation to nature, the climate emergency and the transformation by new technologies of what we understand as human.

From the local to the global, you’ll see how philosophy connects with the world around us.

This unique course also includes work on new materialisms, posthumanism and feminist epistemologies. And it explores process philosophy and the idea that information is a basic constituent of the universe.

You will also develop key research skills to help prepare for your in-depth dissertation.

The MA is 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 both the UK and abroad, you’ll become part of an international learning community.

The course is ideal if you want to pursue philosophy for enjoyment or to fit it round your existing work and other commitments. 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, 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.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MA Philosophy of Nature, Information and Technology

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MA Philosophy of Nature, Information and Technology

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MA Philosophy of Nature, Information and Technology

Part-time study

Our MA Philosophy of Nature, Information and Technology is available to study on a full-time or part-time basis

Distance learning

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

Our MA Philosophy of Nature, Information and Technology is available to study on a full-time or part-time basis

Distance learning

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

Our MA Philosophy of Nature, Information and Technology is available to study on a full-time or part-time basis

Distance learning

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

In a typical full-time course, our MA Philosophy of Nature, Information and Technology is broken up into three semesters, each contributing to your final qualification.

In your first semester you will to examine ontological perspectives on relations and networks in the module The Mirror Universe and Relational Ontology. During the first semester you’ll also have the option to choose between two 20-credit modules that include Posthumanism and Technology and Knowledge and Politics.

In semester two, you will then look into our connection with nature and the relation between nature and politics in the Contracts with Nature module. As well as firming up your academic techniques with our module on Research Skills you will also be able to choose between two optional modules, Information and Communication and Research Topics in continental Philosophy.

Your final semester will see you complete a bespoke Research Project, negotiated and approved by your tutor. The focus of you project will address real-world issues related to philosophy, nature, information and technology, but will ultimately be driven by yourself and supervised by Staffordshire University.

During part-time study you will cover the same modules, with semesters spaced out to allow for extra study time.

In a typical full-time course, our MA Philosophy of Nature, Information and Technology is broken up into three semesters, each contributing to your final qualification.

In your first semester you will to examine ontological perspectives on relations and networks in the module The Mirror Universe and Relational Ontology. During the first semester you’ll also have the option to choose between two 20-credit modules that include Posthumanism and Technology and Knowledge and Politics.

In semester two, you will then look into our connection with nature and the relation between nature and politics in the Contracts with Nature module. As well as firming up your academic techniques with our module on Research Skills you will also be able to choose between two optional modules, Information and Communication and Research Topics in continental Philosophy.

Your final semester will see you complete a bespoke Research Project, negotiated and approved by your tutor. The focus of you project will address real-world issues related to philosophy, nature, information and technology, but will ultimately be driven by yourself and supervised by Staffordshire University.

During part-time study you will cover the same modules, with semesters spaced out to allow for extra study time.

In a typical full-time course, our MA Philosophy of Nature, Information and Technology is broken up into three semesters, each contributing to your final qualification.

In your first semester you will to examine ontological perspectives on relations and networks in the module The Mirror Universe and Relational Ontology. During the first semester you’ll also have the option to choose between two 20-credit modules that include Posthumanism and Technology and Knowledge and Politics.

In semester two, you will then look into our connection with nature and the relation between nature and politics in the Contracts with Nature module. As well as firming up your academic techniques with our module on Research Skills you will also be able to choose between two optional modules, Information and Communication and Research Topics in continental Philosophy.

Your final semester will see you complete a bespoke Research Project, negotiated and approved by your tutor. The focus of you project will address real-world issues related to philosophy, nature, information and technology, but will ultimately be driven by yourself and supervised by Staffordshire University.

During part-time study you will cover the same modules, with semesters spaced out to allow for extra study time.

Entry requirements

Honours degree of 2:2 or above, or relevant professional experience.

Language level must be at least IELTS 6-6.5 or equivalent. However, you’ll be considered if you have a level of fluency to meet the needs of the course.

The course is delivered through digital platforms so internet access is a requirement.

Honours degree of 2:2 or above, or relevant professional experience.

Language level must be at least IELTS 6-6.5 or equivalent. However, you’ll be considered if you have a level of fluency to meet the needs of the course.

The course is delivered through digital platforms so internet access is a requirement.

Honours degree of 2:2 or above, or relevant professional experience.

Language level must be at least IELTS 6-6.5 or equivalent. However, you’ll be considered if you have a level of fluency to meet the needs of the course.

The course is delivered through digital platforms so internet access is a requirement.

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

Blackboard (VLE)

Blackboard is a virtual learning environment which houses your learning content. It enables online teaching/learning, provides spaces to build online communities and knowledge sharing.

Off-campus library services

Distance learners benefit from a range of services including access to e-books, postal loans of physical books, online support from subject librarians and more. Read more

Library services and learning resources

We offer an extensive range of library services to our off-campus students and help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Our comprehensive online catalogue of eResources are available for you to search for and access material such as eBooks, journals and databases. Our team of librarians can help you find your way around the electronic resources and library catalogues, or if there’s something specific you need, they can help you to source it.

Our LibGuides provide information and advice on using our online resources, with specific pages for each subject area, and can help you search for quality-assured websites. 

Find out more: Library Resources

Careers

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

  • Education
  • Third Sector Organisations and NGOs
  • Policy roles
  • Civil Service
  • International or regional organisations.

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

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

You will be supported in the work you do for each module by the module tutor. In addition to providing learning resources, the tutor will take part on the module discussion board. You will also be able to contact with your tutor by email and face to face tutorials may be arranged at key stages of your work.

You will be supported in the work you do for each module by the module tutor. In addition to providing learning resources, the tutor will take part on the module discussion board. You will also be able to contact with your tutor by email and face to face tutorials may be arranged at key stages of your work.

You will be supported in the work you do for each module by the module tutor. In addition to providing learning resources, the tutor will take part on the module discussion board. You will also be able to contact with your tutor by email and face to face tutorials may be arranged at key stages of your work.

Assessment

The work you prepare for assessment may include essays, discussion board contributions, critical analyses, video presentations and reviews. You will have a lot of independence to devise your own essay topics and the questions you address in other assessments. This way you will be able to develop your own interests through the work you do.

The work you prepare for assessment may include essays, discussion board contributions, critical analyses, video presentations and reviews. You will have a lot of independence to devise your own essay topics and the questions you address in other assessments. This way you will be able to develop your own interests through the work you do.

The work you prepare for assessment may include essays, discussion board contributions, critical analyses, video presentations and reviews. You will have a lot of independence to devise your own essay topics and the questions you address in other assessments. This way you will be able to develop your own interests through the work you do.

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 with:

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

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on all your assessments and through a weekly discussion board.

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on all your assessments and through a weekly discussion board.

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on all your assessments and through a weekly discussion board.

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

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.

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.

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

Have you considered?

in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021