Key information
Duration: 4 years full time
Institution code: R72
Campus: Egham
UK fees*: £5,238
International/EU fees**: £22,300
About us
The Philosophy programme at Royal Holloway offers a broad range of research supervision, with academic staff working both the Anglo-American and European traditions, as well expertise in the history of philosophy.
Our areas of specialism include pragmatism, Wittgenstein, applied ethics, Kant and the Post-Kantian tradition,nineteenth-centuryy German philosophy (Hegel, Schelling), twentieth century French philosophy (Merleau-Ponty, Deleuze), and Greek philosophy.
Prospective applicants for research degrees are in the first instance encouraged to make contact with a prospective supervisor.
For detailed information on how to apply for our Philosophy PhD course see here.
We sometimes make changes to our courses to improve your experience. If this happens, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.
Research facilities and environment
Our staff regularly organise conferences and there is a regular programme of visiting speakers and reading groups. As part of the University of London, our research students have full access to the wide range of philosophy events taking place in London, such as those held at the Institute of Philosophy.
Assessment
A PhD is awarded to students who produce a substantial piece of original research in the form of a thesis of up to 100,000 words.
Entry requirements
Usually, you will need a good first Bachelor honours degree or equivlaent in Philosophy and a relevant Masters degree.
Applicants are considered on a case-by-case basis but should have contacted and secured a potential supervisor before submitting the application in order to apply for your research project.
We advise getting in touch with the Director of Postgraduate Education making an informal enquiry for your chosen research degree to inquire whether there is any other additional material they require you to submit in your application.
English language requirements
All teaching at Royal Holloway is in English. You will therefore need to have good enough written and spoken English to cope with your studies right from the start.
The scores we require
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 7.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 67 overall. Writing 76 no other subscore lower than 59.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL ib: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 26.
- Duolingo: 120 overall, 135 in Literacy, 135 in Production and no sub-score below 100.
Country-specific requirements
For more information about country-specific entry requirements for your country please see here.
Your future career
A number of previous research students have gone on to secure academic positions.
Fees & funding
Home (UK) students tuition fee per year*: £5,238
EU and International students tuition fee per year**: £22,300
Other essential costs***: There are no individual costs greater than £50 per item.
…How do I pay for it? Find out more about funding options, including loans, grants, scholarships and bursaries.
* and ** These tuition fees apply to students enrolled on a full-time basis in the academic year 2026/27.
* Please note that for research courses, we adopt the minimum fee level recommended by the UK Research Councils for the Home tuition fee. Each year, the fee level is adjusted in line with inflation (currently, the measure used is the Treasury GDP deflator). Fees displayed here are therefore subject to change and are usually confirmed in the spring of the year of entry. For more information on the Research Council Indicative Fee please see the UKRI website.
** This figure is the fee for EU and international students enrolled on a full-time basis in the academic year 2026/27.
Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase fees for all students annually. For further information see fees and funding.
*** These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2026/27 academic year. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.
