Philosophy

Fall Term (September)

Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy (PhD)

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

• General test is optional
• Institute code: 3514
• Department code: 2804

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

• Minimum score required: 6.5
• Electronic scores send to: MIT Graduate Admissions

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

• Minimum score required: 90 (iBT) 577 (PBT)
• Institute code: 3514
• Department code: 04 or 20

Waiver of TOEFL/IELTS may be available.

Currently, we can support five entering students each year with tuition plus a 12-month stipend. We can also support graduating fifth-years with a one-year postdoc if they are unable to secure a position elsewhere. In special cases, we are able to support sixth year students with tuition plus a 9-month stipend in place of a postdoc.

Please see the Philosophy FAQ for more information.

• Online application
• Statement of objectives
• Three letters of recommendation
• Transcripts
• English proficiency exam scores
• GRE scores (optional)
• CV or resume
• Writing sample

Applicants to the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy are required to submit a writing sample as part of their application.

Applicants to the Philosophy Program should submit a writing sample in philosophy, ideally of 15–25 pages in length. The writing sample should allow us to assess the applicant’s understanding of a philosophical problem and ability to evaluate philosophical arguments. This assessment is usually easier if the writing sample explicitly engages with some of the contemporary philosophical literature.