The Philosophy MA: Comments from Students

“The MA in Philosophy is for anyone who is really interested in the questions which philosophers are currently asking and investigating. This makes studying these topics a relevant and exciting prospect. The experience of studying the three modules in succession is rather like using one of those digital maps – you gradually get to see a much clearer picture of a particular corner of a larger philosophical landscape! The parts which previously seemed a bit vague and indistinct suddenly come into focus, which can be fun.

Anyone who has studied a discursive subject at undergraduate level is reasonably well prepared to undertake this degree. The Foundation Module introduces you thoroughly to most of the topics and techniques you need for postgraduate study. It’s mainly your motivation and interest that will enable you to complete the MA successfully, rather than a very strong background in philosophy. It also helps if you have a questioning, sceptical attitude to what you encounter in your reading. This will help you evaluate the relative qualities of different philosophical arguments. I’d certainly do it again – if in a slightly different way!”

Ann Mills (MA in Philosophy, 2004)

“The MA provided me with a full-on introduction to modern political philosophy, and my tutor’s support, along with the forum discussions I had with other students, really helped me to get a grip on the subject. Perhaps more important to me, however, was the discipline of assignment production culminating in the dissertation – a real piece of research!”

Martin Veasey (MA in Philosophy, 2006)

“I chose a philosophy MA the Open University as I wanted to study something - it was something I knew nothing more about than the average educated layman and it looked interesting and fun. It also allowed me to do the whole thing from the comfort of my own study, very important as I work full time and have a teenage family.

I found the whole course fascinating, I had to learn to think in a different manner, to be more rigorous about how I argued, and importantly to think hard about opposing points of view. I learned about new ideas and specifically for me, as a psychiatrist studying philosophy of mind, I learned that other people were writing about my area from a completely different angle, challenging ideas in ways I would never had thought of.

On the whole it was a thoroughly enriching experience, at times I thought I wasn’t up to it but perseverance paid off and I feel stronger, intellectually, because of it. I would recommend it to anyone prepared to think hard about fascinating subjects. And as for the time it takes? It just seems to find itself!”

Clio Bellenis (MA in Philosophy, 2006)

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