Department of Philosophy

World leading in research and teaching excellence in philosophy, at the forefront of the discipline, its reform, and its application to the major issues facing the world.

Welcome to Philosophy at Durham

Durham Philosophy department is amongst the most prestigious departments in the UK, and we pride ourselves on our excellence in research and teaching. The Durham Philosophy community is a lively, friendly group of people including undergraduates, postgraduates and staff, committed to the pursuit of philosophical knowledge and understanding. We are an open and friendly department, which accommodates work in both ‘analytic’ and ‘Continental’ Western philosophical traditions.

Find Out More About Us

Ranked in the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021

World top 50 Our Arts & Humanities subjects were ranked 33rd in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2023.

Athena Swan Gender Charter Bronze Award

Times Good University Guide Our Philosophy Department is ranked 4th in the country for employability with a score of 85%, according to the Times Good University Guide 2023

Undergraduate study

Our undergraduate programmes incorporate a mixture of lectures, tutorials, seminars and one-to-one supervisions.

All first-year modules are delivered through weekly lectures and fortnightly tutorials. The lectures contextualise material and introduce you to topics, positions and debates. There is an emphasis on providing you with the knowledge and skills required to navigate the relevant literature yourself. You will then pursue independent research, building from focused reading and discussion with your peers up to a dissertation in your third year.

Explore Our Undergraduate Study

Postgraduate opportunities

Durham University’s Department of Philosophy is a centre for world-class research in a wide range of fields, including metaphysics, ethics, feminism and the history and philosophy of science and medicine. It is home to the Centre for Humanities Engaging Science and Society (CHESS) and it has strong links with several interdisciplinary research centres, such as the Centre for the Ethics of Cultural Heritage and the Centre for the History of Medicine and Disease.

Areas to get involved in

Taught Courses

Graduate Diploma in Philosophy

MA Philosophy

Student making notes in a Philosophy lecture

Research Degrees

Students making notes in class using a laptop

Explore Postgraduate Study

Research

At Durham, we have a very different vision of the life of the philosopher. For us, philosophy is a joint enterprise, a subject that one makes progress in through conversation, collaboration, and community.

Discover Our Research

Upcoming events

CHESS Seminar Series 2022/23: Helen Longino (Stanford University)

Thursday 23 March 2023 - Thursday 23 February 2023

4:00 PM to 5:30 PM

PO005, 49/49 Old Elvet (Philosophy building)
E.J. Lowe Lecture 2023 with Professor David Oderberg (Reading University)

Wednesday 3 May 2023 - Wednesday 3 May 2023

5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

Lecture hall TLC033, Teaching and Learning Centre, South Road, DH1 3LS or via Zoom (hybrid event)