Masters Programs in the UK

[objectivityofcontradiction]

I'm looking to get my MA in '13-'14. My top three choices for schools are Warwick, Sussex, and UCL. I'm going to be applying for a Fulbright Award and also for every international scholarship that these universities make available. I'm just curious if any one on here has conducted masters-level work in the UK or any course work for that matter in the UK and if they can clue me in to what the student experience is like and how it might differ from grad school in the US.

I've been in touch with the philosophy dept. graduate advisers at each of the departments mentioned and they've done a nice job explaining to me exactly how the taught masters programs work, but you can never have enough feedback so I figured I'd ask around on here.

Thanks.

[RyledUp]

Hey. I'm on the MLitt (fancy name for a taught MA) at St Andrews (or, properly speaking, SASP) which might be on your radar? I can fill you in on what that's like if you're interested. Though funding opportunities aren't incredible here, it's a very strong programme (if the PGR is anything to go by at least).

Couldn't speak too much for the others on your list -- other than saying that Warwick's campus is supposed to be nice, but the town (which is actually Lemington Spa) is pretty dull; that Sussex is in Brighton which is great for anything social, if that's your thing; and that UCL's admin department (inc. Philosophy admin) is infuriating. (I think they even lost my MPhilStud application and only gave me a casual response much later than they should have.)

Of the three you're considering, I imagine UCL has the strongest programme. But I would also consider Kings, Edinburgh, Sheffield, Reading... probably more. Many of them will have free applications, so you'd have nothing to lose. Any reason you've narrowed it down to your three chosen options?

So yeah, I can tell you about the structure of my MLitt course if you want to know, though I have no comparison case for US courses.

[objectivityofcontradiction]

My reasons for the three:

UCL- Sebastian Gardner and Jonathan Wolff. I want my MA to be centered around the study of German Philosophers and I've read a bit of Gardner's work on Kant, which I like and he's well-known in the field of Kantian Studies. Also I'm interested in studying Marx, particularly because my primary interests lie in 20th century philosophy (Lucaks, Adorno and Benjamin) and thus having a solid grounding in Marx is crucial for further study and Wolff would provide me with this, I've read his short introductory book on Marx which is great and have heard from a former professor that he's one of the best. UCL is about as Analytic a department as I'm willing to apply to.

Sussex - Again, the dept. has several faculty members who do work in Continental Philosophy. But they also structure their MA so as to allow students to either focus on one area (continental or analytic) or to take courses in both. I want to present myself as a well-rounded student when I go back to apply for my PhD. and I think the MA at Sussex would allow me the opportunity to present myself as such.

Warwick - Stephen Houlgate, Keith Ansell-Pearson, and Peter Poellner. All three work in areas similar to my interest and Houlgate is known worldwide as doing some of the best work on Hegel these days. Getting a solid grounding in Hegel is my top priority during my MA year. Not to mention Warwick's Dept. is rated as one of the best in the UK and their MA in Continental Philosophy seems unrivaled. They've also got some good people doing work in the Analytic tradition as well.

Of course, I say all of this knowing that some of these professors may not be around during my MA year but I've got my fingers crossed.

[RyledUp]

Okay, it sounds like your options are well thought-through. The programme here at SASP is about as analytic as it gets (stiflingly so!), so no wonder that's not on your radar. We do have Michael Wheeler (at Stirling) who, though analytic, is very keen to accommodate continental philosophy, especially Heidegger. However, like many taught programmes, it's quite restrictive here in what you can do. That is why Sussex as you've described sounds appealing -- that you are able to mix and match as well as focus.

Good luck getting in where you want to go and with the right professors.