Grapple with the global issue of data privacy, including the transparency, ethics, and human rights of how data is collected and used by businesses and governments around the world.
Year of entry: 2025 (September)
Join us online or in person to find out more about postgraduate study at York.
Upcoming eventsCombine abstract concepts of ethics and rights with practical approaches to managing and solving problems of data privacy.
At York, you'll be taught by academics who are active in their fields and working with external partners, so you'll be up to date with the latest research and innovations. Engage in research-led enquiry, exploring the ways in which data is collected, used, and at times, exploited, by different organisations. Your studies will give you a sound practical and theoretical grasp of how user data is collected, analysed and stored, and the normative principles underpinning these different stages.
You'll engage in problem-based learning as part of a team. You'll write reports on managing data privacy under the oversight of a specialist, as well as undertake an extended dissertation on a topic of your choosing.
You'll graduate with a firm, broad grounding in the fast-growing, interdisciplinary field of the philosophy of data privacy.
in Philosophy, out of the Russell Group universities included in the latest National Student Survey (2022).
One of the societies I joined in first year was Philsoc, the place [where] I met some of my best friends at university. They hosted events, film screenings and they also had several impressive speakers.Heather, BA Philosophy
Throughout your degree, you'll gain a deep understanding of what makes best governance practice when handling user data. You'll debate the ethical and business risks of minimal compliance with regulation and broaden your knowledge of regulatory framework.
Your modules will cover a range of topics, from philosophical questions raised by artificial intelligence to case studies regarding the ethics of business practice.
You'll graduate with the ability to present a clear, principled and persuasive case for data management practices which respect the fundamental right to privacy, thereby protecting corporations from the risks associated with minimal compliance.
Year 1: Topics in the Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence, Data Privacy Problem Based Learning 2: Surveillance Capitalism, and one option module.
Year 2: Research Skills and Dissemination Practice, two option modules and your dissertation.
You will study two option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
Your 10,000 word dissertation enables you to produce a sustained piece of critical writing on a topic of your choosing. It will allow you to apply the core knowledge, skills and experience that you have gained to further your independent research skills.
You'll attend dissertation preparation seminars to enable you to write your proposal, with further support later in the year. You'll be supervised by a member of staff with expertise in the relevant area.
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (1 year) | £11,200 | £25,900 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. |
£5,600 | £12,950 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year, the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study.
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.
If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.
We are pleased to work with Chevening Scholars to offer funding for our Masters programmes. Chevening Scholarships provide one year of fully-funded postgraduate study in the UK for international (including EU) students. The scholarships are open to early and mid-career professionals who have the potential to become future leaders.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
Lecturers challenge you to achieve the best that you can. They really make you think about your ideas and give you space to do so. Philosophy is so friendly and everyone is very welcoming!
Anika, BA Philosophy
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
You'll be taught by intensive seminars and individual or small-group tutorials, which will allow you and your tutors to systematically explore complex issues in data privacy. You'll undertake project-based learning, collaborating with other students on group assessments.
You will be based in the Department of Philosophy on Campus West. Most of your contact hours will be nearby on Campus West.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
You'll be assessed in a variety of ways, including:
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After graduating, you'll be able to present a clear, principled and persuasive case for data management practices which respect the fundamental right to privacy, thereby protecting corporations from the risks associated with minimal compliance. You'll develop skills in presenting your own ideas, conference organization, and collaborative work, which will be of benefit for a wide range of career paths.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2.2 or equivalent |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, minimum of 6 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 459-494, with 426-458 in all other components |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
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