Doctoral study in Philosophy
Why study with us?
We were placed in the world's top 100 in the 2021 QS World University Rankings by Subject.
As a doctoral candidate, you'll benefit from: financial support for research expenses through PReSS funding; high-calibre supervision practices; and the networks and expertise of our world-class academic researchers.
Research opportunities
You will be supervised by our researchers and have access to a range of resources to assist you in your academic and professional development.
We welcome PhD proposals in areas including:
- 19th- and 20th-century European philosophy
- Aesthetics
- Ancient philosophy
- Applied ethics
- Biomedical ethics
- Environmental philosophy
- Epistemology
- Existentialism
- Global justice
- Intergenerational ethics
- Logic
- Medieval philosophy
- Metaphysics
- Moral philosophy
- Philosophical logic
- Philosophy of action
- Philosophy of art
- Philosophy of biology
- Philosophy of computation
- Philosophy of law
- Philosophy of mind
- Philosophy of religion
- Philosophy of science
- Political philosophy
- Social philosophy
Our people
Many of our teaching staff are internationally renowned scholars and researchers who are leaders in their fields.
Past research topics
- "Armed with information: Cognition and consciousness and the octopus nervous system" | Supervised by Distinguished Professor Stephen Davies and Dr Emily Parke
- "After theodicy: A philosophical study of the argument from evil and its implications for the elucidation of concepts of God" | Supervised by Professor John Bishop and Associate Professor Chris Martin
- "The analysis of self-deception: Rehabilitating the traditionalist account" | Supervised by Professor John Bishop and Professor Fred Kroon
- "Human goodness and natural goodness: A study of the human being in the ethics of Philippa Foot and Charles Taylor" | Supervised by Dr Matheson Russell and Professor John Bishop
- "Musical expressiveness between perception and imagination" | Supervised by Distinguished Professor Stephen Davies
Scholarships and awards
There are several scholarships you may be eligible for when you decide to pursue your PhD in Philosophy:
- University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarships
- Faculty of Arts Doctoral Scholarship
- Philip O’Carroll Philosophy Scholarships
Help and advice
Our friendly staff will provide you with advice on enrolling in your PhD at Student Hubs.
If you would like to discuss your plans for your doctoral research you can contact our PhD Adviser.