Philosophy (Taught)

The Postgraduate Certificate in Philosophy is a part-time course in philosophy aimed at those with a degree in the arts, humanities and social or natural sciences. Taught over a series of 2-day teaching weekends and supporting one-to-one supervisions, the course explores a range of philosophical topics, from ancient philosophy to existentialism.

The first unit examines the origins of our notions of truth and reality by exploring a variety of texts from the ancient world. In the second unit, students will consider how these ideas developed in early modernity as scientific enquiry takes hold. In the third unit, students will grapple with existentialism.

Throughout, students will engage in one-to-one supervisions and will be asked to choose one element of the taught content to relate to a contemporary problem in modern life, such as artificial intelligence or post-truth politics.

Students may use this course as a progression route to further postgraduate study at university. Prior study in philosophy is helpful but is not essential.

This course is for anyone with an interest in philosophy. More specifically, it will appeal to:

• students who have completed Professional and Continuing Education’s Advanced Diploma (level 6) courses, or another level 6 qualification

• students particularly interested in, amongst other things, the history of philosophy, metaphysics, philosophy of language, existentialism and continental philosophy

• anyone wishing to improve their analytic, critical and creative thinking, or anyone wishing to progress to further postgraduate study in philosophy

The Postgraduate Certificate in Philosophy aims to:

• provide students with specialist knowledge and understanding of philosophical ideas and concepts at the frontiers of philosophical debate and research

• enable students to acquire and develop the skills necessary to conduct critical analysis and evaluation at the highest levels

• develop the student’s ability to analyse and evaluate different methods for conducting independent and collaborative research