Objectives and competences
The master's degree in Analytic Philosophy is mainly intended for students who want to pursue advanced research in theoretical and practical philosophical considerations from an analytical perspective. The programme is open to students who have not gained sufficient familiarity with the assumptions and methods of analytical philosophy during their undergraduate studies. It is also open to students who have completed undergraduate degrees in disciplines other than philosophy, who will be asked to complete bridging subjects worth up to 30 credits, selected in agreement with their tutor.
The origins of analytical philosophy go back to the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and the works of authors like Frege, Russell, Moore and Wittgenstein, who wrote on logic, language, ontology, epistemology and ethics. Today, the analytical tradition informs the predominant approach of most universities across the English-speaking world. In Spain, analytical philosophy is a relatively minor tradition at universities and in the media, yet the group of four Catalan universities that offers the master's degree (which uses English as the predominant language of instruction) has been very active in research in recent years, due in part to the ICREA and Ramón y Cajal programmes, which have made it possible to attract leading thinkers from international universities.
As a discipline, analytical philosophy relies heavily on clarity of argumentation, perspicuity of thought and an imaginative critique of approaches that are further removed from common intuition. In the Anglo-Saxon world, it has proved to be a fundamental tool in training professionals in the most widely-sought cross-disciplinary competences, such as the ability to identify and articulately express the central points of a debate, to apply thought and expression precisely in the analysis of complex problems, and to consider propositions with intellectual curiosity and a critical eye. Students who are not looking to pursue an academic career will find good opportunities to put their knowledge into practice in public administration and the private sector.
As a discipline, analytical philosophy relies heavily on clarity of argumentation, perspicuity of thought and an imaginative critique of approaches that are further removed from common intuition. In the Anglo-Saxon world, it has proved to be a fundamental tool in training professionals in the most widely-sought cross-disciplinary competences, such as the ability to identify and articulately express the central points of a debate, to apply thought and expression precisely in the analysis of complex problems, and to consider propositions with intellectual curiosity and a critical eye. Students who are not looking to pursue an academic career will find good opportunities to put their knowledge into practice in public administration and the private sector.
Basic information
| Type | Master's degree |
|---|---|
| Faculty or school | Faculty of Philosophy |
| Branch of knowledge |
|
| Mode of delivery |
|
| Credits | 60 |
| Number of places available | 25 |
| Length of course | 1 academic year |
| Language(s) of instruction | Spanish: 5-10%, English: 90-95% |
| Approximate price per credit | 27.67 euros per credit (82 euros for students who are not EU nationals and do not currently reside in Spain). Fees for the academic year 2024-2025 |
| Coordination | MARIA TERESA MATOS FERREIRA MARQUES |
| master.aphil@ub.edu | |
| Course details | Indicators |
| Open pre-enrolment | No |
| Open enrolment | No |
| Lead to doctoral studies | Yes |
| Admission for applicants not holding a degree qualification | No |
| Interuniversity | Yes |
| Main university | Universitat Barcelona |
| Universities |
|
| Bridging courses | Yes |
| Specializations |
|
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Objectives and competences
Objectives
Together, the master's degree and the doctoral programme in Analytic Philosophy provide complete training for university professors/researchers. The aspiration is to provide training similar to the training given by graduate schools in the United States and the United Kingdom, where students join research groups formed by fellow students and veteran researchers with a wide range of experience. Students collaborate in reading groups, working groups, etc., but also receive individual supervision from experienced academic staff in order to complete their doctoral research.
Competences
On completion of the degree, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge that forms the basis of original thinking in the development and/or application of ideas, typically in a research context.
- Apply the acquired knowledge to problem-solving in new or relatively unknown environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to the specific field of study.
- Integrate knowledge and tackle the complexity of formulating judgments based on incomplete or limited information, taking due consideration of the social and ethical responsibilities involved in applying knowledge and making judgements.
- Present conclusions and the grounds on which they have been reached to specialists and non-specialists, in a clear and concise manner.
- Demonstrate the learning skills to facilitate further learning requiring a more independent and self-directed approach.
- Extract, analyse and construct valid arguments and identify logical fallacies.
- Design, create and implement new and innovative projects in a specific knowledge area.
- Alternate between general and detailed discussion and provide imaginary or real examples to support or refute a position.
- Work independently or as part of a team in an international or multidisciplinary environment.
- Identify methodological errors, rhetorical resources, uncritical conventional assumptions, vagueness and superficiality.
Specific competences:
Students will also be able to:
- Demonstrate the concepts and methods of contemporary analytical philosophy and the ability to use them in the formulation and defence of philosophical propositions.
- Identify the central theories and lines of argument in contemporary theoretical philosophy.
- Identify the central theories and lines of argument of practical philosophy and contemporary values.
- Assess the value of the writings of the main contemporary analytical philosophers.
- Identify the key ideas in contemporary philosophical debate and research.
- Interpret and evaluate texts of different periods and traditions.
- Apply the terminology of contemporary philosophy.
Access and admission
Applicant profile and access requirements
Recommended applicant profile
Candidates should have the motivation and interest needed to acquire the competences and skills provided by the study of contemporary analytical philosophy. They should have a capacity for abstract reasoning, the imagination to explore the possibilities beyond what has been established, and the intellectual honesty to shun the refuge of obscurity and acknowledge the weakness of their own positions when faced with criticism. Students must also have an excellent level of English, as the entire degree is taught in this language.The course is open to holders of degrees in philosophy or other disciplines, such as humanities, journalism, linguistics, philology, psychology, physics or biology, who want to pursue additional training (after completing, where necessary, the appropriate bridging courses).
Access requirements and conditions
General requirementsIn accordance with Article 16 of Royal Decree 1393/2007, of 29 October, students wishing to be admitted to a university master's degree must hold one of the following qualifications:
- Official Spanish university degree.
- A degree issued by a higher education institution within the European Higher Education Area framework that authorizes the holder to access university master's degree courses in the country of issue.
- A qualification issued by an institution outside the framework of the European Higher Education Area. In this case, applicants must request homologation of the degree to its equivalent official Spanish university qualification or obtain express approval from the University of Barcelona, which will conduct a study of equivalence to ensure that the degree is of a comparable level to an official Spanish university qualification and that it grants access to university master's degree study in the country of issue. Admission shall not, in any case, imply that prior qualifications have been recognized as equivalent to a Spanish master's degree and does not confer recognition for any purposes other than that of admission to the master's degree course.
Specific requirements
- Candidates should have a bachelor's degree or equivalent undergraduate degree in humanities, psychology, linguistics, philology, translation and interpreting, journalism, mathematics, physics, biology, or a related discipline.
- Commitment to conduct a significant piece of research, expressed in a statement indicating the applicant's interests and how these interests are related to the course content.
- Two letters of reference, for candidates with degrees from universities not participating in the programme.
- A sample of the candidate's work (between 2000 and 4000 words in length).
- Level of English equivalent to B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, 7.00 on the IELTS exam, or 600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based) or 100 (internet-based) on the TOEFL exam.
Bridging courses:
Candidates may be required to complete bridging subjects with a study load of up to 30 credits. This will depend on their previous studies. The bridging courses address the subjects covered by the bachelor's degree in Philosophy at the UB. The objective is to familiarize students with the fundamental elements of logic; the philosophy of language and of mind, and the epistemology and ontology of contemporary analytical philosophy. Two of these are final-year bachelor's degree subjects, which vary each year.
Successful candidates who have a qualification with only 180 credits may be required to complete bridging courses with a study load of up to 60 credits in order to obtain the 300 credits needed for admission to the doctoral programme.
Pre-enrolment
Calendar
Spring 2025Notes:
- Pre-enrolment fee: A pre-enrolment fee of 30,21 euros is charged. Students who apply to more than one master's degree must pay the fee for each pre-enrolment request. Pre-enrolment requests cannot be processed until this fee has been paid.Fees will only be refunded if the master's degree in question is suspended.
- Reserved places: A maximum of 5% of the new places of the master's degree are reserved for students who meet the general and specific access requirements and accredit the recognition of a degree of disability equal to or greater than 33%.
Required documentation
- Pre-enrolment application
- Photocopy of degree certificate or equivalent qualification. In case of admission, foreign degrees that require so should be translated and authenticated through diplomatic channels before completing the enrolment.
- Other specific documentation related to the selection criteria
Selection criteria
Candidates are selected on the basis of the following criteria, weighted as shown:- Previous studies (10%)
- Commitment to carry out significant research (10%)
- References (30%)
- Sample of own work (40%)
- Level of English (10%)
Students may also be asked to attend a personal interview.
Notification
An Admissions Committee made up of representatives from the four participating universities selects the candidates for admission to the programme. Students may be asked to attend a personal interview.Enrolment
As a general rule, at the UB you will be required to enrol online. Remember that you can lose your place if you do not enrol on the day you have been assigned
- Documents required for enrolment
- Procedure to formalize enrolment
- Grants and financial aid (in Catalan)
- Economic information (in Catalan)
Course curriculum
Subjects and course plans
Distribution of credits
| Type | ECTS |
|---|---|
| Compulsory | 15 |
| Optional | 35 |
| Compulsory placements | 0 |
| Compulsory final project | 10 |
| TOTAL | 60 |
List of subjects
Bridging courses
| Subject | Type | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specialization: BC for admission to the Master's Degree in Analytic Philosophy | |||
| Introduction to Logic | Optional | 1st semester | 6 |
| Philosophy of Language II | Optional | 2nd semester | 6 |
Previous years
Placements
Placements in a company or another type of organization are an integral part of university studies, providing first-hand experience of working methodologies in students' chosen professional fields. They offer invaluable practical experience for the transition into work after graduation.
Placements are supervised by tutors and subject to assessment. They are therefore included in the academic record. There is also an option to complete non-curricular placements of up to 500 hours, which can be extended to 900 hours. For both curricular and non-curricular placements, an educational cooperation agreement is signed between the UB and the company, institution or other organization at which the placement will be carried out.
Institutional information
Career opportunities
What can you work on ?
The course is specifically designed to prepare students for doctoral study and the preparation of a doctoral thesis. As such, the main career opportunities are research and university teaching in fields related to philosophy. Other important areas include fields in which professionals benefit from interdisciplinary training in research on language, such as publishing, information technology, cultural management, journalism and public administration.Consequently, students who complete the master's degree can become research and teaching staff, assessors (in areas addressed by the master's degree), and officials and managers in the public administration.
Access to the labour market
Data from the university system in CataloniaContact us
Faculty of Philosophy
Montalegre, 6 – 08001 Barcelona
Secretary: 934 037 722 - 934 037 719
secretariafilosofia@ub.edu
Coordinator: 93 403 75 16
master.aphil@ub.edu