Key Information
Duration
- Full-time: 24 months (2 to 4 years)
- Part-time: 36 months (3 to 7 years)
Start dates & application deadlines
Start dates and deadlines will depend on the project students choose.
Language
English
Credits
270 ECTS (equivalent to 540 CATS)
Delivered
On Campus
Campus Location
Southampton, United Kingdom
Disciplines
Philosophy
Overview
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
Features
- In the Philosophy programme from University of Southampton 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.
- 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.
Visit the programme website for more information
Programme Structure
Main areas of research
- history of philosophy
- aesthetics
- ethics
- epistemology
- language, logic and metaphysics.
Admission Requirements
Academic requirements
GPA: Upper Second Class
English requirements
- Duolingo English Test: 120
- PTE Academic: 67
- IELTS: 6.5
Other requirements
General 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.
Make sure you meet all requirements
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are shown in AUD and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.
- International: 37,974 AUD/year (≈ 20,100 GBP/year)
- Domestic: 9,896 AUD/year (≈ 5,238 GBP/year)
Living costs
Southampton, United Kingdom: 1,317-2,065 AUD/month
Scholarships
Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Philosophy.
- Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (Deadline: 14 Oct 2026)
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarships (Deadline: 09 Dec 2026)
- Postgraduate Taught Excellence in English Scholarships (Deadline: 04 Sep 2026)
- Horizon Europe fee waiver (Deadline: Anytime)
- Presidential Bursaries (Deadline: Anytime)
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program (Deadline: 07 Oct 2026)
- ServiceScape Scholarship (Deadline: 30 Nov 2026)
- ACES Scholarships (Deadline: 15 Nov 2026)
- Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility (Deadline: Not specified)
- Scholarships for PhD Students (Deadline: Not specified)
- Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship (Deadline: 28 Feb 2027)
- $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship (Deadline: 31 Oct 2026)
- Boustany Cambridge Pembroke Scholarship in Philosophy (Deadline: 31 Mar 2027)
- Voice Talent Online Scholarship (Deadline: 01 Mar 2027)
- The PhD Prep Fellowship (Deadline: 01 Sep 2026)
- Dream Chaser Scholarship (Deadline: 13 Jan 2027)
- Scholarship for students with disabilities (Deadline: 31 Dec 2026)
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids (Deadline: Not specified)
- Grants of the Leopold Figl Foundation for students with residence in Lower Austria (Deadline: 31 Dec 2026)
- The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship (Deadline: Not specified)
- Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme (Deadline: 11 Jan 2027)