MA Ethics: Theory and Practice

MA in Ethics: Theory and Practice

In association with the Centre for Ethics in Public Life (CEPL), UCD School of Philosophy is offering an MA that provides philosophical training in Ethics, as well as enabling students to experience a context for professional Ethics through inter-disciplinary elements of the programme. Ethics is understood broadly as the study of how to behave well and includes elements of moral philosophy and political/social theory.

As graduates of this programme, you will be well-placed to understand and help deal with ethical issues in areas such as government, healthcare, business, agriculture, planning, education, law, and journalism. But you will also have had the opportunity to develop a theoretical understanding of the nature of Ethics and its place in human life more generally.  Having an understanding of Ethics, both at the level of theory and in its practical contexts is of obvious benefit in a very wide variety of career paths.

Programme Content and Structure (2025/26)

The programme may be taken in one year (full-time) or two years (part-time). Over either time span, you must take six or more modules (up to a total 60 credits), selected as follows. Descriptions of the Philosophy MA modules may be found here.

(A)  Core Module (1)

One core module in the Spring trimester:

• PHIL41510 Ethics in Public Life

(B)  Philosophical Ethics Options (3)

Three modules from the following list:

Autumn Trimester

• PHIL40320 Topics in Continental Philosophy
• PHIL41280 Feminist & Gender Theory

Spring Trimester

• PHIL40420 The Good Society
• PHIL41810 Critique, Destruction & Deconstruction
• PHIL41960 Environmental Ethics

(C)  Philosophy Option (1)

One other module from among all those offered by the School of Philosophy (including those listed above):

Autumn Trimester

• PHIL40250 Merleau-Ponty’s Phenomenology of Perception
• PHIL40410 Philosophy & Literature
• PHIL40970 Topics in Philosophy of Mind & Cognition
• PHIL41240 John Henry Newman: Philosophical Perspectives
• PHIL41890 Authenticity & Implicit Attitudes

Autumn Trimester

• PHIL40960 The Cultural Mind
• PHIL41350 Metaphysics
• PHIL41880 Reading Nietzsche
• PHIL41920 Love & Friendship in Early Modern Philosophy

(D)  Interdisciplinary Ethics Options (1–2)

One module from these offered by other disciplines, or two of the 5-credit modules:

Autumn Trimester

• EDUC41250 Children's Rights and Participation
• GEOG40970 Critical Geographies
• MKT30150 Responsible Marketing (5 credits)
• POL30780 Justice in Education
• PSY40270 Ethics in Psychological Research (5 credits) 

Spring Trimester

• EQUL40070 Human Rights Law and Equality
• IS30370 Information Ethics (5 credits)
• POL41030 Theory of Human Rights

(E)  Dissertation

In addition, all students must complete a 12,000–15,000 word dissertation by mid-August. Students are encouraged to discuss possible topics with their lecturers as soon as possible.

Note: Part-time students must complete their dissertation in the second year.

(opens in a new window)Entry Requirements for Taught MA Programmes

• A BA with a 2:1 or above (a GPA of approx. 3·2) in Philosophy, or international equivalent
  
  or
  
  
• A Joint Major BA with a 2:1 in Philosophy and a 2:2 or above in the second subject and
• A Postgraduate Diploma with a 2:1 or above in Philosophy

However, all applications are assessed on a case by case basis, and so students with a 2:2 in Philosophy should also consider applying.

Required Application Documents and What We Look For 

1. Two academic references: These should be from academic referees who can speak to your promise as an MA student. Referees may send their letters directly to (opens in a new window)philosophy@ucd.ie or you can upload them to the portal, depending on your referees’ preference. 
2. Writing sample: A philosophical essay or paper of up to 3,000 words (for example, an undergraduate essay submitted as part of your undergraduate degree on a philosophical topic of your choice). We assess the quality of arguments, intellectual maturity, and clarity of style.
3. Statement of personal interest: A short statement (maximum 1,000 words) explaining your motivation for further study, research interests, and your reasons for applying to UCD School of Philosophy.
4. Academic transcripts: Official transcripts for all university-level study. These help us to evaluate your coursework performance, grades, and consistency of achievement.
5. Proof of English language proficiency: Fluency in written English is required. If you are not a native speaker of English and your secondary education or university degree has not been carried out in English, then you must have a minimum score of 6·5 IELTS (minimum of 6·0 in each band), and submit evidence of this in your application. Please consult this page for further details.