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Department of Philosophy

World leading in research and teaching excellence in philosophy, at the forefront of the discipline, its reform, and its application to the major issues facing the world.
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Welcome to Philosophy at Durham

The Durham Philosophy Department is amongst the most prestigious departments in the UK. The Department is a hub for the wider Philosophy community at Durham, which is a lively, friendly group of people including undergraduates, postgraduates and staff, committed to the pursuit of philosophical knowledge and understanding. We are a pluralistic department that values and promotes a variety of approaches to philosophical reflection including research in analytic, Continental, African, Buddhist, and other philosophical traditions.

 

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World Top 40 Our Arts & Humanities subjects were ranked 39th in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2024
29th
29th in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
7th
7th The Complete University Guide 2025
REF 2021 77% of our research graded world-leading or internationally excellent

Study with us

Durham University’s Department of Philosophy is a centre for world-class research and teaching in a wide range of fields. Discover all of our undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Undergraduate study

Find out more about our undergraduate opportunities.
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Postgraduate study

Find out more about our postgraduate opportunities.
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Meet our Students

Meet our students and find out more about why they chose to study Philosophy at Durham University and what career paths they pursue.

Meet all of our students
Dr Simona Capisani

Reflections of a philosopher at the COP16 Biodiversity Conference - join the event

Join Dr Simona Capisani in Durham on Thursday, 28 November from 3:30 to 5 pm, when she will give a talk and host a Q&A regarding her experiences at the UN Biodiversity Conference.

Learn more about this event
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Research

At Durham, we have a very different vision of the life of the philosopher. For us, philosophy is a joint enterprise, a subject that one makes progress in through conversation, collaboration, and community.

Discover Our Research
QS World University Rankings 2024

World-leading status affirmed in QS World University Rankings 2025

Durham is now ranked 89th in the world top 100 universities. Our top performance came in the Sustainability category, where we ranked 19th in the world. We also have a world-class reputation with employers, being ranked 65th.

Learn more about the QS World University Rankings

What's new?

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Philosophy of Life: In conversation with Professor Nancy Cartwright (at 80)

On 22 June 2024, our Department of Philosophy threw a party to honour and celebrate the world-class academic achievements of our colleague, Nancy Cartwright, to mark the occasion of her 80th birthday.

Durham news
Nancy Cartwright at 80 (Photo: Mags Leighton)

Transformative Humanities framework launched

Durham University's Transformative Humanities launched yesterday and gathered more than 130 researchers, colleagues, students, and partners from across the region and beyond to celebrate this new interdisciplinary framework.
Research news
Transformative Humanities launch news banner

Professor Peter Vickers launches new book - Identifying Future-Proof Science

Professor Peter Vickers from our Philosophy Department launches a new book, Identifying Future-Proof Science, on 30 November 2022.
Research news
Future-proof science book
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The mystery of consciousness shows there may be a limit to what science alone can achieve

Science is rightly celebrated, but as the problem of consciousness is revealing, there may be a limit to what we can learn through science alone, argues Professor Philip Goff in our Department of Philosophy.

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Durham research has a lasting global impact

We have launched a new Global Research Brochure where we shine a light on some of our incredible researchers who are making a difference in the world.
A globe with lines showing connections between different parts of the world.

Expecting the Unexpected: Philosophy in the search for the Extra-terrestrial

Dr Christopher Cowie, Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy recently took part in the Being Human Festival, a nationwide festival which engages a wide audience in the breadth of humanities research. He tells us how philosophers can contribute to questions about life in space.
Oumuamua

Professor Matthew Tugby has published a new short book!

Matthew has published a new short book called 'Teleology', which is part of the Elements in Metaphysics series (Cambridge University Press).

Professor Matthew Tugby's Book Cover - 'Teleology'

Professor Emily Thomas appears on Radio 4's The Moral Maze

“Should Foreign Tourism Be Discouraged?” Emily Thomas says ‘no’, defending the value of travel on BBC Radio 4’s The Moral Maze.
The Moral Maze Screenshot

Professor Philip Goff's book wins a prize from the International Society for Science and Religion

Congratulations to Professor Philip Goff
Why? The Purpose of the Universe Book Cover

Philosophy of Life: In conversation with Professor Nancy Cartwright (at 80)

On 22 June 2024, our Department of Philosophy threw a party to honour and celebrate the world-class academic achievements of our colleague, Nancy Cartwright, to mark the occasion of her 80th birthday.

Nancy Cartwright at 80 (Photo: Mags Leighton)

Durham philosopher selected as BBC New Generation Thinker

Dr Jack Symes has been recognised as one of the UK’s most promising arts and humanities early career researchers.
Dr Jack Symes stood in front of a wall. The text reads BBC New Generation Thinker

Durham philosopher explores the mystery of existence with his second book

A researcher in our Philosophy department has released his second book, which aims to explore the mysteries behind how everything came to exist.
Dr Jack Symes pictured after releasing his second book

Updates from the Department

Find the latest blog articles and posts on social media

Highlights

What’s it like studying Philosophy?

Find out why Emily decided to study Philosophy at Durham and how an average week as a Philosophy student looks like.
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Choosing the right university, and why I chose Durham

Get to know Sophie and read why she chose to study at Durham University.
Sophie Clarke and friends

Get in touch

Find out more about our department, courses and support. Contact us by phone or email below.

Department of Philosophy

Durham University
50 Old Elvet
DH1 3HN
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)191 334 5325
Tel Undergraduate: +44 (0)191 334 6559
Tel Postgraduate: +44 (0)191 334 6553

 

 

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