Master's specialising in Philosophy at University of Cape Town

Programme overview

The MA/MSocSc specialising in Philosophy (192 NQF credits, plan PHI01) is a coursework and minor dissertation Master's in which students pursue four areas of intensive study chosen with the graduate convener.

Faculty: Faculty of Humanities | Department: Department of Philosophy | Study mode: full-time | Location: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

What you will study

Either a 96-credit coursework component (twelve substantial research papers over the year) plus a 96-credit Minor Dissertation of about 25,000 words, or the Minor Dissertation plus four electives such as Contemporary Metaphysics, Truth and Meaning, Philosophical Texts, Moral Philosophy, Topics in Rational Decision Making, Topics in Theoretical Philosophy, Philosophy of Psychology and History of Philosophy. Only two electives may be at HEQSF level 8.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Philosophy (Master's): acceptance is on the recommendation of the Head of Department. Faculty of Humanities (Master's): applicants are normally Honours graduates, or graduates holding a degree recognised by Senate, with the Honours degree or equivalent normally in the subject of the Master's. Unless otherwise specified, an average of at least 60% in the Honours year is required. Admission is on the recommendation of the Programme Convenor and/or Head of Department; a research proposal is submitted for degrees by dissertation, and a three-year Bachelor's degree may be accepted by permission of Senate.

Tuition is charged per module, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

The application fee is R100 for undergraduate and postgraduate applications from South Africa and the SADC region, and R300 for applications from outside the SADC region; it is non-refundable and payable by direct deposit, EFT or credit card (online). UCT students and graduates are exempt except for GSB programmes.

Apply through the official page: https://applyonline.uct.ac.za

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