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1. Study
2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Higher Diploma
5. Philosophy

Course Fact File

Code	HDAP
Duration	1 Year Full-time; 2 years Part-time
Teaching Mode	Full-time, Part-Time
Qualifications	HDip in Arts
NFQ Level	Level 8
Closing Date	Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.
Non-EU Closing Date	Open until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised.
Start Date	9 September 2024

Course Outline

The one-year Higher Diploma in Philosophy gives you a rare chance to study western as well as eastern philosophy. You will study different philosophical concepts and theories, from issues of mind and consciousness, action and politics, ethics and aesthetics, to society and culture, globalism, and power and territory.

The course begins in September and gives students from all disciplines an opportunity for intensive study in both eastern and western philosophy. Students select 12 modules (60 credits) from year 2 and 3 undergraduate options.

The modules are designed to introduce philosophical questions, theories, and texts in a particular area. They typically involve set readings and writing assignments. It is generally expected that you will have an interest in reading and writing philosophical texts, but specialised knowledge of philosophical concepts or approaches is not presupposed.

In your modules you will study and discuss philosophy and become familiar with relevant concepts and authors. The course will develop your knowledge of the history of philosophy and ideas, improve your writing and critical reading skills, and hone your ability to understand and summarise arguments effectively.

Course Practicalities

This is a one-year, full-time or two-year, part-time taught programme. During the two teaching periods (September to March) you will take twelve taught modules (5 credits, 2 hours each of weekly lectures).

Part-Time Option

The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over two years.

Assessment

For each seminar class, you must prepare the set readings and complete the required coursework. Modules are typically assessed by written essays and end-of-year or in-class exams. The assessment of many modules also includes attendance and/or participation segments.

Who teaches this course

• Dr Bengt Autzen - Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Biology, Philosophy of Medicine, Philosophy of Economics
• Dr Vittorio Bufacchi - Political Philosophy, Human Rights, Violence, Social Justice
• Dr Jason Dockstader - History of Philosophy, Metaethics, and Moral Psychology
• Dr Kian Mintz-Woo - Moral Philosophy, both theoretical and applied to climate change policy, Meta-ethics, Philosophy of Science (Economics)
• Dr Adam Loughnane - Aesthetics, Continental Philosophy, Asian Philosophy
• Dr Julie Reshe - Existential Philosophy; Continental Philosophy; Negative Psychoanalysis; Depressive Realism
• Professor Don Ross - Philosophy of Economics, Philosophy of Science, Scientific Metaphysics
• Dr Alessandro Salice - Phenomenology, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophical Psychology, Social Ontology, Moral Psychology
• Dr Joel Walmsley - Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Science, Cognitive Science

Why Choose This Course

UCC Philosophy is the only department in Ireland (and one of the only departments in Europe) offering the opportunity to study in three distinct philosophical traditions: Asian Philosophy, Continental Philosophy, and Analytic Philosophy. This course allows you to acquire a unique comparative philosophical education. Our staff have a distinctive international profile, with members from Ireland, the UK, Germany, Italy and the USA. Together, we bring multiple perspectives to bear on our shared philosophical concerns, and we create a diverse and energetic environment within which to conduct philosophical research.

Skills and Careers Information

Throughout the course, we emphasise that philosophy is not just something that you learn about, rather, it is also something that you do. To this end, we offer a number of courses that enable students to develop philosophical skills of their own, and we aim to foster the skills of analysis, creativity and discovery, as well as developing an in-depth understanding of non-European thought and culture. On this course you will develop the following skills:

• critical thinking
• inter-cultural competence
• professional writing
• construction and evaluation of arguments
• communication
• information management
• design and planning
• research and investigation.

Employers in diverse fields value the skills of analysis, creativity and discovery that we aim to foster, and so, a degree in philosophy can be the starting point for many different career paths.

Requirements

It is intended for those who already have a 3 or 4-year primary degree, preferably in the area of Arts or the Sciences, and who wish to study the subject of Philosophy intensively over one academic year.   The Higher Diploma in Arts is a conversion programme and applicants would not normally have studied the relevant subject to Honours Degree level previously.

Fees and Costs

How To Apply

Additional Requirements 

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following:

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
• In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.
• Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
• Please submit a copy of a short analytical/critical/report writing sample or essay (1,000 words approx.)

The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised.

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