Have you always harboured a fascination with philosophy? Are you attracted by “big questions”? No matter what you studied as an undergraduate, this master’s degree will allow you to follow your passion – for professional or personal reasons. The University of Notre Dame Australia Master of Arts offers you the opportunity to explore subject areas aligned with your own interests and then develop these interests via a research project. As a graduate, you will also have the critical thinking and reasoning abilities to impress future employers. Start your exploration today.

Why study this degree?

If you are interested in studying philosophy, you will benefit from The University of Notre Dame Australia’s highly-focused program and tradition of educating the whole person. Through the University’s Core Curriculum, all of our students study both theology and philosophy, but the Master of Arts (Philosophy) will particularly appeal to students who have either a professional or personal interest in philosophy.

This program is a coursework degree and includes a research project component. You will complete a core course in Reason and Revelation and 12 Philosophy courses of your choice, followed by a supervised research project in an area of your choice.

Your studies begin within the context of the University, with Reason and Revelation, which begins with philosophical analysis and explanation of concepts of reason, reasoning, and believing and acting upon reasons. It then relates reason to revelation (Scripture and Tradition) before considering the relationship between philosophy and theology.

Assessment consists of assignments, essays, presentations and research papers. Most classes take place in the evenings or during regular teaching hours and are a mixture of workshops, lectures, seminars and tutorial discussions. Lessons are engaging and lively, taking place in an atmosphere of interpersonal exchange.

The Master of Arts (Philosophy) degree takes two years to complete when studied full-time but is also available part-time for domestic students. If you have already studied philosophy at the university level, you may be entitled to up to eight courses of advanced standing or RPL. Still, students with a level 8 qualification in an area other than philosophy or a philosophy Major may apply for up to four units of credit of advanced standing or RPL.

Year One

• Reason and Revelation
• Seven Philosophy Electives

Year Two

• Supervised Research Project
• Five Philosophy Electives

Philosophy Electives may include:

• Aesthetics: Philosophy of Art
• Cosmology and Philosophy of Science
• Epistemology: Theory of Knowledge
• History of Philosophy – Ancient
• History of Philosophy – Medieval
• History of Philosophy – Modern
• History of Philosophy – Contemporary
• Logical and Critical Thinking
• Metaphysics – Theories of Being and Existence
• Moral Philosophy
• Myth and Meaning
• Natural Law
• Philosophy of the Human Person
• Philosophy of Language
• Philosophy of Love and Friendship
• Philosophy of Religion
• Political Philosophy
• Special Topics in Philosophy
• Directed Individual Study

More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions pages Fremantle Sydney.

Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

With a Master of Arts (Philosophy), you can pursue a career in the private and public sectors. Career options include Journalist, paralegal, lawyer, marketing consultant, teacher, research consultant, data analyst, and health services administrator.

Applicants must have a recognized Bachelor's degree in any discipline.

IELTS (Academic) - 6.5 overall, with no writing score lower than 6.5 and no other individual band score lower than 6.0; CAE/CPE - 176 overall, with no score lower than 176 in writing and no other band score lower than 169; PTE Academic - 58 overall, with no score lower than 58 in writing and no other band score lower than 50; TOEFL (iBT) - 84 overall, with no score lower than 22 in writing and no other band score lower than 17.