Is the MA Philosophy analytic or continental?

Both — by design. Core MA seminars engage with both analytic and continental traditions, and students typically specialise toward one through their option choices and dissertation. The MA Philosophy is honest about the historical divide while supporting students working in either tradition seriously.

Does the MA Philosophy include applied ethics?

Yes — substantially. Medical, environmental, business, AI and information ethics are all available as core or option modules, with current research-level content. Students whose career is in applied ethics can weight a significant portion of their MA toward that area.

Will the MA Philosophy prepare me for a PhD?

Yes — directly. The MA Philosophy is calibrated to UK doctoral admissions standards, with explicit attention to research-question formulation, literature synthesis and dissertation writing at PhD-preparation standard. Several graduates each year progress to PhD-track research at LSJHML or partner universities.

Can I take the MA Philosophy online?

Yes. The reading-and-discussion structure of the MA Philosophy translates particularly well to online study, with synchronous seminars, recorded theoretical sessions and structured dissertation supervision. Distance learners complete on extended deadlines with named tutor support.

What is the dissertation on the MA Philosophy?

An independent 12,000–15,000 word piece of original philosophical research. Recent topics have included the moral status of large language models, comparative analysis of distributive-justice frameworks in healthcare rationing, contemporary debates in free speech and metaphysics of personal identity in transhumanist contexts.

MA Philosophy in London | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MA Philosophy at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a one-year UK postgraduate degree in advanced philosophical research. You will engage at MA level with current scholarship in ethics, political philosophy, philosophy of mind, epistemology and metaphysics, develop a specialist area through structured options, and produce a 12,000-to-15,000-word dissertation that contributes credibly to philosophical scholarship.

The MA Philosophy is taught in dialogue with the Royal Institute of Philosophy and the Society for Applied Philosophy. It is built for the student who already has solid philosophical training and is ready to do their own research at a level academic departments, applied-ethics offices and PhD admissions committees recognise.

Key Features

UK postgraduate degree — one year full-time or two years part-time, with online and distance routes.
Core MA seminars in ethics, political philosophy, philosophy of mind, epistemology and metaphysics at advanced level.
Applied ethics options covering medical, environmental, business, AI and information ethics at current research level.
History of philosophy strand with options across ancient, early modern and contemporary scholarship.
Research methods module — argument construction, literature synthesis, philosophical writing at MA standard.
Dissertation — an independent 12,000–15,000 word piece of original philosophical research.

What You Will Learn

The MA Philosophy is structured around the advanced competences of a research-active philosopher — disciplinary literacy across current scholarship, argument construction at MA level, methodological discipline and the ability to produce original research a journal or PhD admissions committee will take seriously.

Ethics at advanced level — meta-ethics, normative ethics, applied ethics with current case content.
Political philosophy — justice, rights, democracy, freedom across major traditions and current debates.
Philosophy of mind — consciousness, intentionality, current scholarship including AI-mind debates.
Epistemology and metaphysics — what there is, what we can know, current research directions.
History of philosophy at advanced level — ancient, early modern, contemporary scholarship.
Argument construction — formal and informal logic, philosophical writing, journal-standard discipline.
Research methods — literature synthesis, conceptual analysis, applied philosophical reasoning.
Communication of philosophical work — academic writing, public-facing writing, oral defence.

Who This MA Is For

Bachelor's graduates in philosophy or related disciplines preparing for doctoral research.
Working professionals in ethics-related roles (NHS, corporate, regulator) seeking advanced philosophical grounding.
Lawyers, civil servants and policy professionals moving toward roles with significant ethical-reasoning content.
International scholars seeking a UK postgraduate degree in philosophy with both analytic and continental engagement.

Career Pathways

Philosophy graduates at master's level work across academic research, applied-ethics roles, policy, law, journalism, technology and the civil service. Typical post-MA destinations include:

Ethics Adviser (NHS trust, research body, corporate ethics committee)
Senior Researcher (think tank, learned society, research institute)
Senior Policy Analyst (think tank, government department, charity)
Senior Compliance Officer (financial services, regulated industry)
Lecturer (further education, university — with subsequent PhD)
Doctoral Researcher (philosophy, applied ethics, political theory)

The MA serves as preparation for doctoral research, senior applied-ethics roles and policy-analysis careers requiring advanced philosophical training.

Entry Requirements

A UK 2:2 honours degree (or international equivalent) in a related subject, OR a 2:2 in any subject with two years of relevant professional experience.
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
Personal statement (max 1 page) outlining your motivation, relevant experience and intended specialism — including a short outline of likely dissertation area.
Two academic or professional references.
Applicants without a related undergraduate degree may be considered with significant industry experience and a written sample.

Why Study at LSJHML

The London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London. Our programmes are designed in dialogue with working professionals — journalists, translators, civil servants, academics, broadcasters, editors, publishers and policy researchers — so what you learn in seminar on Monday is what your future employer is using on Tuesday. We deliberately keep cohorts small, give every student named tutor support, and treat employability as a structural part of every programme rather than an optional add-on.

London is the work — politics, courts, capital markets, theatre, broadcasting, publishing, public service, the global press. Your studies are taught in the same square mile where the stories you read about happen. Whether you join us on-campus, online or by distance learning, the city is your classroom and our industry network is your launchpad.