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Philosophy and Politics MA

  • Intro
  • Course
    content
  • Careers
  • Entry
    criteria
  • Fees
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Intro

Study key concepts in political philosophy through the lens of some of the most challenging issues of today.

This MA takes a radical and decolonised approach to philosophy. You will engage with a distinctive programme of contemporary radical theory and politics, and consider themes such as populism, climate change, gender oppression migration, neoliberalism, racism and decolonial struggles.

We offer a rich environment for critical theory and progressive political work; the University of Brighton is internationally recognised for its Centre for Applied Philosophy, Politics and Ethics which researches the links between philosophy, critical theory, global ethics and other disciplines.

We host regular conferences and workshops, visits from many of the theorists that you will read, and reading groups with PhD students.

You have the option to undertake a placement, preparing you for your future career, or the chance to prepare for doctoral research.

Our courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis in order to make sure that what you learn with us is relevant and that your course enables you to develop appropriate skills. When you apply to study with us, we will inform you of any new developments in your chosen programme.

Key facts

Location Brighton: City campus

Full-time 1 year
Part-time 2 years 

This new course is in the final stage of development and may change. Check back for the latest information. 

Find out about postgraduate events

Apply online

Please review the entry requirements carefully and if you have any questions do get in touch with us.

Apply now for your place

We offer a huge range of research and a variety of established scholars in critical political philosophy. Brighton is a unique location for this dynamic, interactive and progressive MA that views philosophy as an intervention in the world.

Dr Andy Knott, course leader

Course content

Why study with us?

  • The opportunity to study politics and philosophy in the context of contemporary social problems.

  • The chance to work with the university’s Centre for Applied Philosophy, Politics and Ethics which is a unique global hub for interdisciplinary work in philosophy and politics.

  • Learning with scholars who research poverty, inequality, post materialism and post structuralism, democracy, LGBTQI+, queer and gender theory, improper forms of politics and bio-politics.

  • Considerable independence in choosing your areas of specialism.

  • Placement opportunities for students wanting workplace experience.

  • The opportunity to apply critical theory and philosophy in your core, option and dissertation modules.

Please enable targeting cookies in order to view this video content on our website, or you can watch the video on YouTube.

Watch this film about our Radical Futures research at Brighton, which aims to harness disruptive ideas and open debate and progressive thinking to redress the inequalities and social injustices of the twenty-first century.

Areas of study

Core modules

Key Categories in Contemporary Politics and Philosophy introduces you to the key concepts and ideas that you will learn. It takes seriously the decolonial critique of the racism and sexism of philosophy and politics in Europe. It focuses on ideas rather than on named individuals. You will read a range of views about concepts such as equality, liberty, ontology, language, knowledge and power.

Problems in Contemporary Philosophy and Politics focuses on problems that confront philosophy as it engages with the world we live in. Other key contemporary issues you will debate are populism, bio-politics, the climate emergency, Black Lives Matter, gender violence and protests for democracy.

Radical Futures challenges you to think differently about both your own and the globe’s future. This module engages with an imaginative politics and life of a future that we cannot yet anticipate.

Option modules include:

  • Globalisation and Global Politics
  • Foundations of Critical Theory
  • Aesthetics and Politics
  • Causes of War and Forms of Conflict
  • Conflict, Security and Human Rights
  • Teaching and Learning
  • Professional Placements

Meet the team


Dr Andy Knott

Andy works in political theory. His research ranges across theories of political subjectivity, individualism, the people of populism, and contemporary democratic theory. He draws on theoretical, historical and contemporary accounts of this complex political phenomenon. He works to explore populism's beginnings; left-wing populism; and populism’s political subjects. He is co-editor of The Populist Manifesto. Read Andy’s full research profile.

Dr Mark Devenney

Mark researches radical political philosophy. He has been published widely on contemporary critical theory, radical politics and post colonial theory. He is the author of Ethics and Politics in Contemporary Theory and Towards an Improper Politics. His current research develops a relational ontology of equality, engaging with environmental politics, queer theories and post-Marxism. Read Mark’s full research profile.

Dr Clare Woodford

Clare is Principal Lecturer in Political Philosophy and director of the Critical Theory research group in the Centre for Applied Philosophy, Politics and Ethics; degree leader for Philosophy, Politics and Ethics BA(Hons); and co-editor of Rowman and Littlefield’s Polemics series. She has authored multiple works on democratic and populist political theory, critical theory, poststructuralism, psychoanalysis, ethics, feminist and queer theory, and French and Italian philosophy. She is the author of Disorienting Democracy (Routledge, 2017). Read Clare’s full research profile.

Podcast: listen to Dr Clare Woodford, Principal Lecturer in Political Philosophy in the Centre for Applied Philosophy, Politics and Ethics (CAPPE), discuss some of the issues in politics today and the undergraduate and postgraduate courses Brighton offers in politics and philosophy.

Dr German Primera

German’s research interests include French and Italian contemporary philosophy and thought, war, black critical theory and biopolitics. He is the author of The Political Ontology of Giorgio Agamben: Signatures of Life and Power (Bloomsbury, 2019) and has been published on contemporary continental philosophy, biopolitics and political violence. Read German’s full research profile.

Dr Joanna Kellond

Joanna researches psychoanalysis, care theory, cultural studies and critical theory. She is interested in psychoanalysis as a practice of care, and in the relationship between care practices and politics. She has a particular interest in the work of Winnicott, psychoanalytic feminism, and understanding and theorising the relationship between psychoanalysis, politics and modernity. Read Joanna’s full research profile.

Dr Zoe Sutherland

Zoe’s main research is on the politics and aesthetics of contemporary artistic practice, focusing on the complex ‘global’ character of this period. Zoe's specialism is in the conceptual art movement of the 1960s-70s, often taken to be the index of art’s ‘globalisation’. By situating conceptual art within a more general and heterogenous ‘conceptualist’ tendency inherent to postwar artistic practice in many parts of the world, Zoe’s work attempts to trace the varying manifestations – and resistances – to the conceptual form. Read Zoe’s full research profile.

How this course is delivered

How will my course be taught?
For the academic year that starts in September 2022 we’re planning for all students to be taught face-to-face on campus, enhanced by some online learning.

Students who started their course with us in 2021 are on campus for some face-to-face learning including tutorials, workshops, laboratory classes and studio sessions. They are also taking part in off-campus learning activities such as placements, field trips and study visits. And all of our campus facilities – libraries, learning spaces, restaurants, gyms and more are open.

Like all universities we are following government guidance and we are monitoring the pandemic very closely. Should Public Health advise it we have robust plans in place for additional safety measures to be introduced to enable everyone to continue learning on campus, and, as a last resort, for students to continue their learning remotely.

We will update you regularly on our teaching plans for the next academic year as you progress your application with us.

When does my course start?
The 2022 academic year begins on Monday 26 September 2022. Teaching for most courses starts the following week.

Many education courses, some health science courses including Medicine, and some postgraduate business courses have an earlier start date. Check your offer letter for the start date of your course.

Careers

Following the MA you may continue on to academic study or pursue a career in a field such as education, politics, journalism, public policy, non-governmental organisations and law.

We prepare you for whichever path you choose:

  • The placement module means you will gain relevant work experience.
  • The doctoral study module enables you to develop different forms of academic writing and to finish the MA with an application in place for future study.
  • The teaching and learning module provides a guided opportunity for you to shadow a tutor in the delivery of a module on the undergraduate programme, offering a practical introduction to teaching in higher education.
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Entry criteria

Entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer for this course if you wish to begin studying with us in 2022. They should be used as a general guide. 

Degree and experience
Normally a 2:1 or better undergraduate degree in a relevant subject. Candidates with a 2:2 or lower or who do not have a degree will still be considered for admission if they can demonstrate suitable professional experience or substantial experience of the subject area. 

Interview
You will normally be interviewed so that we can assess your potential to study at masters level.

English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept.

International requirements and visas

International requirements by country
Country name
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visit our language centre

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Visas and immigration advice

Applying for a student visa

Check out our step-by-step guidance.

Fees

Course fees

UK (full-time) 7,866 GBP

International (full-time) 15,462 GBP

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Humanities and Social Science in the 2021–22 academic year are listed here.

  • For some assessments you may be required to print large format posters for presentations at a cost of £5–£10 per poster.
  • Most coursework submissions are electronic but you may wish to print notes and should budget up to £100 for printing.
  • Course books are available from the university but you may wish to budget up to £200 to buy your own copies.
  • Some courses include an optional placement module for which students will need to cover the costs of travel to and from the placement and DBS checks as required.
  • For the Humanistic Psychotherapeutic Counselling PGDip and Psychotherapeutic Psychodynamic Counselling PGDip, the following course-related costs are not included in the tuition fee:
    • Supervision fees: £1,170 for each full year. Estimated based on £45 per hour with fortnightly meetings. In some agencies, supervision will be provided at no cost. Where students have to pay, the cost will only begin when supervision begins.
    • Personal counselling/therapy: £2,000–£2,800 over the course. Estimated based on £40 per hour.
  • For a number of courses you will have the opportunity to attend field trips and off-site visits. These are optional and are not required to pass your course but under normal circumstances we would expect a budget of approximately £150 per year will cover the costs of particular trips. The amount spent would be based on location and number of trips taken.
  • You will have access to computers and necessary software, however many students choose to buy their own hardware, software and accessories. The amount spent will depend on your individual choices but this expenditure is not essential to pass any of our courses.

You can chat with our enquiries team if you have a question or need more information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2022–23.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

Location

Campus where this course is taught

City campus

City campus is located at the heart of central Brighton.

The facilities for making and designing, the theatre, galleries, workshops, studios, archives and the independent arts organisations based on site provide a unique and inspiring environment where creativity thrives.

St Peter’s House library and Phoenix halls of residence are close to the exhibition and learning facilities in the Grand Parade main building where you will also find the student centre with careers, counselling, student advice service and disability and dyslexia support. Edward Street provides extensive teaching and gallery space for media, photography and film.

Also on site are Photoworks, Screen Archive South East and University of Brighton Design Archives. Leading visual arts agency Photoworks runs the Brighton Photo Biennial and a national programme which frequently features the work of our graduates, staff and students. 

Brighton Pavilion, Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, the iconic pier and beach are a very short walk away. The independent shops and businesses of the North Laine and Kemptown, and Brighton main line station, with frequent express services to London, are 10 minutes walk.


Grand Parade exhibition space

Accommodation

Brighton: City campus

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students who apply by 30 June.

Halls of residence
We have halls of residence across Brighton in the city centre, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer. All rooms are self-catered.

  • You'll be prioritised for accommodation in the halls that are linked to your teaching base, subject to availability.
  • City campus is linked to Phoenix halls, Mithras halls and Moulsecoomb Place.
    • Phoenix halls are a short walk from City campus in the centre of Brighton.
    • Mithras hall and Moulsecoomb Place are located on the Moulsecoomb campus, around two miles from City campus. Public transport in the city is excellent.

Want to live independently? We can help – find out more about private renting.

Phoenix Brewery Halls Accommodation

Accommodation for City campus is in the nearby Phoenix Halls

Student kitchen in Phoenix Halls

Student kitchen in Phoenix Halls

Relaxing in nearby Pavilion Gardens

Relaxing in nearby Pavilion Gardens

Local area

About Brighton

The University of Brighton is at the heart of our city’s reputation as a welcoming, forward-thinking place which leads the way when it comes to the arts, music, sustainability and creative technology. Brighton is home to a thriving creative community and a digital sector worth £1bn a year. Many of the work-based learning opportunities offered on our courses such as placements, live briefs and guest lectures are provided by businesses and organisations based in the city.

We provide support and venues for key events in the city’s arts calendar including the Brighton Festival, the Festival Fringe, the Great Escape, the Brighton Digital Festival, Brighton Photo Biennial and the CineCity Brighton Film Festival. Other annual highlights include Pride, the Brighton Marathon, and Burning the Clocks which marks the winter solstice. Our own Brighton Graduate Show transforms our campus into the largest exhibition space in the South East as we celebrate the outstanding talent and creativity of our students.

As a student you’ll get lots of opportunities to experience these events at first hand and to develop your skills through the volunteering and other opportunities they offer.

You'll find living in Brighton enriches your learning experience and by the end of your course you will still be finding new things to explore and inspire you.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton
Brighton Beach sunset

Maps

City campus map

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Sport at Brighton

Sport Brighton

Sport Brighton brings together our sport and recreation services. As a Brighton student you'll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition. 

Find out more about Sport Brighton.

Sports scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about sport scholarships.

Cricket Academy

New for September 2023, our Cricket Academy offers aspiring players the opportunity to continue their cricket development alongside studying for a degree. The programme offers a world-class training environment with the highest quality coaching.

Find out more about the Cricket Academy.

Students playing frisbee

Stay in touch

Find out about postgraduate events

Ask a question about this course


If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

01273 644644

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