Philosophy (PhD)
In our PhD program, you will explore and research advanced philosophy topics. You’ll receive mentorship from a supervisor who’s an expert in your field of study and work to generate a dissertation.
With departmental permission, you can also explore classes outside the philosophy department for a more interdisciplinary view on your specialization.
| Expected length | Project or thesis | Course-based |
|---|---|---|
| 4 years | Yes | No |
Quick facts
- Program options:
- Doctorate
- Study options:
- Full-time study
- Program delivery:
- On-campus
- Dynamic learning:
- Co-op optional
Outcomes
Students in this program will:
- gain experience in understanding and applying complex concepts
- acquire advanced mastery of the literature in at least 2 fields of philosophical study
- develop and clearly articulate a philosophical research question
- gain presentation and communication skills
- hone skills of argument analysis
- write a dissertation of original research on a topic developed by the student
- gain a broadened understanding of issues and methods in a variety of areas of philosophy
- acquire pedagogical skills suitable to teaching courses at university or college
- acquire skills pertinent to publishing articles in professional philosophy journals
Find a supervisor
PhD students must have a faculty member who serves as their academic supervisor. When you apply:
- you must list a potential supervisor on your application
- this faculty member must agree to be your supervisor and recommend your admission
- include an email from your supervisor with your application
To find a supervisor, review the faculty contacts. When you’ve found a faculty member whose research complements your own, contact them by email.
Audrey Yap
Professor Feminist and social philosophy, feminist epistemology, prison justice, logic and argumentation, philosophy of mathematics
Carrie Klatt
Associate Teaching Professor Philosophy of science (physics, mathematics), spacetime and quantum theory, philosophy of education
Chris Goto-Jones
Professor Asian philosophy, Buddhist philosophy & psychology, philosophy of mind/body, phenomenology, eco-philosophy, magic and religion, ethics and politics, philosophical therapy & practice.
Cindy Holder
Professor Philosophy of law, human rights, social and political philosophy, transitional justice, international law, history of political thought
Colin Macleod
Professor Contemporary political philosophy, ethics, philosophy of law
David Scott
Associate Professor; Undergraduate Advisor Early Modern philosophy, philosophy of mind, metaphysics, philosophy of religion
Eike-Henner Kluge, FRSC
Professor Biomedical and information ethics, topics in the history of philosophy
Eric Hochstein
Associate Professor; Grad Coordinator History and philosophy of science, philosophy of neuroscience, philosophy of psychology, philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, social epistemology, and metaphysics
James O. Young, FRSC
Professor Philosophy of language, philosophy of art (esp. philosophy of music)
Karen Brown
Lecturer Philosophy of language, metaphysics and epistemology, linguistic semantics
Katie Stockdale
Associate Professor; Minor in Applied Ethics Coordinator; Grad Coordinator Moral psychology, feminist philosophy, social and political philosophy
Michael Raven
Professor; Graduate Advisor Metaphysics, philosophy of language/mind, epistemology
Nina Belmonte
Associate Teaching Professor History of philosophy, philosophy and literature, 19th & 20th-century continental philosophy, philosophy and film
Patrick Rysiew
Professor; Chair Epistemology, Early Modern philosophy, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, cognitive science
Peter Dietsch
Professor Economic ethics, tax justice, normative dimensions of monetary policy, income inequalities
Thomas Land
Associate Professor Kant, German idealism, early modern philosophy, analytic Kantianism, epistemology, philosophy of mind, action theory
Show me program details
Providing you accurate admission requirements, application deadlines, tuition fee estimates and scholarships depends on your situation. Tell us about yourself:
Your program details
Application deadlines
Admission requirements
Program specific requirements
- A letter of intent
- Transcripts from the post-secondary institutions where you’ve studied
- Two letters of reference
- A writing sample (about 10 pages)
Program specific requirements
- A letter of intent
- Transcripts from the post-secondary institutions where you’ve studied
- Two letters of reference
- A writing sample (about 10 pages)
Completion requirements
Funding & aid
Tuition & fees
Estimated minimum program cost*
* Based on an average program length. For a per term fee breakdown view the tuition fee estimator.
Estimated values determined by the tuition fee estimator shall not be binding to the University of Victoria.
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Need help?
Contact Graduate secretary at uvicphil@uvic.ca or 250-853-3120.