Graduate Diploma of Philosophy

School of Philosophy & Theology

Do you have a bachelor’s degree in another subject area but want to explore some of the big questions? If you wish to study philosophy due to personal interest or professional ambition, you will find this one-year Graduate Diploma of Philosophy at The University of Notre Dame Australia immensely rewarding. The program consists of eight postgraduate courses, where you can choose from subjects including Natural Law, Metaphysics, Moral Philosophy and Epistemology. In addition to a grounding in Western philosophical thought, you will develop the capacity to think critically and creatively at an advanced level – these are skills in great demand in the workplace. Start your learning journey today.

• Why study this degree?

  The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Graduate Diploma of Philosophy has been designed to facilitate skills associated with studying philosophy and provide a firm foundation for independent research. With an array of choices on offer, you can tailor this degree in alignment with your needs and interests in the discipline of philosophy.

  Over the course of your studies, you will explore the foundations of philosophy within the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, emphasising the need to consider arguments from every point of view. Guided through a combination of the best ideas and problems that philosophy offers and teaching methods that emphasise the unity of experience, reason, and reasonable discourse, you will practise what it means to lead an examined life.

  It is widely accepted that studying philosophy promotes a high level of critical thinking. As a result, employers hold our graduates in high demand. Philosophy graduates have the knowledge and skills needed in careers that require rational, well-educated problem solvers. While many of our graduates will go on to teach, others might find themselves working in journalism, politics, medicine or private enterprise.

• Program summary

  Eight (8) Philosophy Elective Courses

  Foundations of Philosophy Courses:

  • PHIL6000 Aquinas: Analytic and Phenomenological Approaches
  • PHIL6300 Epistemology - Ways of Knowing
  • PHIL6310 Cosmology and Philosophy of Science
  • PHIL6510 Metaphysics: Theories of Being and Existence
  • PHIL6002 Metaphysics, Being and God
  • PHIL6070 Philosophy of Education
  • PHTH6002 Reason and Revelation
  • PHIL6001 Advanced and Non-Classical Logic
  • PHIL6004 Faith and Reason

  History of Philosophy Courses:

  • PHIL6100 History of Philosophy: Ancient
  • PHIL6110 History of Philosophy: Medieval
  • PHIL6130 History of Philosophy: Modern
  • PHIL6140 History of Philosophy: Contemporary

  Moral Philosophy Courses:

  • PHIL6010 Business Ethics
  • PHIL6050 Moral Philosophy
  • PHTH6000 Bioethics
  • PHIL6020 Ethical Issues in Professional Life
  • PHIL6051 Aesthetics: The Philosophy of Art
  • PHIL6080 Natural Law
  • PHIL6410 Political Philosophy
  • PHIL6003 Virtue Ethics and Personalism

  Philosophy of the Human Person Courses:

  • PHIL6150 Philosophy of Love and Friendship
  • PHIL6210 Philosophy of the Human Person
  • PHIL6520 Philosophy of Religion

  Courses Requiring Dean's Permission

  • PHTH6016 Athens and Rome: Cradle of Western Civilisation

  Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

  More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions pages Fremantle Sydney.

  Please note: the availability of these courses is indicative only and may be subject to change.

• Entry requirements

  Academic requirements for this program are outlined on our admission requirements page. All applicants need to satisfy minimum requirements, including those relating to age and English Language Proficiency.

• Learning outcomes

  Upon successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Philosophy:

  1. Demonstrate acquisition of a body of knowledge that includes understanding of recent developments in philosophy
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to philosophy
  3. Apply philosophical skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and scholarship
  4. Demonstrate philosophical, technical, and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts, and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge
  5. Demonstrate philosophical, technical, and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level
  6. Apply technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, and implement philosophical research that contributes to scholarship.

• Career opportunities

  A Graduate Diploma of Philosophy will open up careers in teaching, working in journalism, politics, medicine or private enterprise.

• Real-world experience

  You will learn from our academics, who are leaders in their field. There are no practicum requirements for this program.

• Fees and costs

  This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:

  Domestic Fee-Paying
  A domestic fee-paying place is a place at university where the student is responsible for the full cost the program.

  Eligible domestic fee-paying students may apply for the FEE-HELP loan scheme which assists eligible fee-paying students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your FEE-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

  International Full-Fee Paying
  Tuition costs depend on an international student’s study load and discipline. Fees are payable each semester at least four weeks prior to the commencement of your program.

  For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees, costs and scholarships page.

• More information

  Considering your uni options?
  Our advisers provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process.

  If you need advice about studying at Notre Dame, the Prospective Students Office can help. Book a 1-on-1 advice session with a career advisor or call us on 1800 878 916.

  Fremantle and Broome
  Email: future@nd.edu.au
  Address: 23 High St, Fremantle, WA 6160

  Sydney and Melbourne
  Email: sydney@nd.edu.au
  Address: 128-140 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW 2008

  International students
  If you need advice about studying at Notre Dame, fill out our Make an Enquiry form, and you can book a session with one of our friendly International Student Advisors.

  Fremantle and Broome International Office
  Phone: +61 8 9433 0873
  Address: 19 Mouat St, Fremantle, WA 6160
  Postal address: PO Box 1225, Fremantle WA 6959

  Sydney and Melbourne International Office
  Phone: +61 2 8204 4229
  Address: 140 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW 2008
  Postal address: PO Box 944, Broadway NSW 2007