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Postgraduate Taught

MA Philosophy: Mind, Body and Culture

Please note: The below is for 2025 entries. Click here for 2024 entries.
UCAS code 1234
Duration 1 year full time
2 years part time
Entry year September 2025
Campus Streatham Campus
Discipline Philosophy
Contact
Typical offer

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2:2 Honours degree

Contextual offers

Overview

  • You will explore the complex relationship between mind, body and culture; the nature of emotion and the affectivity as well as the exciting new field of “4E cognition”
  • Learn from a diverse and dynamic team of academics with expertise from across the fields of Sociology, Anthropology and Philosophy and benefit from our lively and collaborative research culture
  • We will train you in a range of philosophical research methods preparing you to carry out your own independent research into the nature of mind, body and culture and their interactions
  • Teaching is done in small seminar groups creating a safe environment in which to discuss and debate readings, research and opinions with academics and peers
  • Gain key transferable skills in research, communication, self-management and group working which will be valued by employers within a range of professions as well as providing essential training for PhD study

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Fast Track (current Exeter students)

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Contact

Programme Director: Dr. Adam Toon

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

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100% of our research has internationally excellent impact

Based on research rated 4* + 3* in REF 2021, our research in Sociology, Philosophy, Anthropology and Criminology was returned to this UoA

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Top 10 in the UK for Philosophy

8th in The Complete University Guide 2025

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82% of our research is internationally excellent

Based on research rated 4* + 3* in REF 2021, our research in Sociology, Philosophy, Anthropology and Criminology was returned to this UoA

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Internationally recognised for work in philosophical anthropology and the sociology of culture

Entry requirements

We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree with 53% or above in philosophy, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, or a degree with a substantial philosophy component. While we normally only consider applicants who meet this criterion, if your first degree is in a different discipline, you are coming from a different academic background which is equivalent to degree level, or have relevant work experience, we would welcome your application.

All applicants should provide a personal statement explaining their interest in the programme and how it fits with their earlier studies.

Entry requirements for international students

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

Course content

You’ll explore issues at the forefront of current research on mind and cognition including recent developments in the philosophical literature on topics such as perception, emotion and subjectivity. We will introduce you to arguments drawing from cognitive science, phenomenology, philosophy of science and philosophy of biology, as well as literature on embodiment and situatedness in sociology and anthropology.

Our focus on philosophical research methods will teach you how to reflect critically on a range of methods and explore their respective strengths and weakness. You’ll discover a range of different tools for approaching philosophical questions and implement them in your dissertation providing an excellent grounding for further research in philosophy.

You will be taught by staff who are research active in the field and who bring this research directly into their teaching. Our small group seminars enable you to interact closely with academics and also peers, providing a safe and stimulating environment in which to develop and debate your own ideas and opinions, discuss readings and learn from others.

Optional modules give you the freedom to explore fields such as contemporary ethics, science and technology studies, data science, food, body and society, cultural sociology and social theory.

You will undertake modules to the value of 180 credits comprised of a combination of compulsory and optional modules.

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

Compulsory modules

150 credits of compulsory modules and 30 credits of optional modules

CodeModule Credits
PHLM009 Dissertation 60
PHLM010 Introduction to Philosophical Methods 30
PHLM008 Mind, Body and World 30
PHLM007 Current Issues in Mind and Cognition 30

Optional modules

Philosophy modules https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/modules/?prog=philosophy

Please note that modules are subject to change and not all modules are available across all programmes, this is due to timetable, module size constraints and availability

Fees

2025/26 entry

UK fees per year:

£12,500 full-time; £6,250 part-time

International fees per year:

£25,300 full-time; £12,650 part-time

Scholarships

We invest heavily in scholarships for talented prospective Masters students. This includes over £5 million in scholarships for international students, such as our Global Excellence Scholarships*.

For more information on scholarships, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.

*Selected programmes only. Please see the Terms and Conditions for each scheme for further details.

Teaching and research

Teaching takes place over the first two terms, leaving the third for your dissertation. Research-centred teaching is at the heart of the programme. Teaching is done in small seminar groups to allow students the best possible interaction with academic staff, through individual presentations and round table discussions of common readings.

Students have the opportunity to engage in a serious piece of research into a topic of their choosing through the dissertation module. Students will be assessed through coursework which will vary depending on the modules you choose and the completion of a dissertation.

Careers

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Employer-valued skills

In addition to the specialist knowledge you will gain during your programme, you will also develop transferrable skills valued by employers such as: 

  • Researching, analysing and assessing sources of information
  • Written and verbal communication skills
  • Managing and interpreting information
  • Developing ideas and arguments

Career support

The College's Employability Officer works with our central Career Zone team to give you access to a wealth of business contacts, support and training, as well as the opportunity to meet potential employers at our regular Careers Fairs.