Epistemology, Ethics and Mind (Online Learning) MSc, PgDip, PgCert

This is an online only programme that will be taught through a combination of:

• short video lectures
• web discussion boards
• video conferencing
• online exercises

You will have regular access both to faculty and dedicated teaching assistants, including one-to-one interactions.

You will also interact with other students on the programme as part of a dedicated virtual learning environment.

Find out more about the benefits and practicalities of studying for an online degree:

• Postgraduate online learning

Compulsory courses

You will study compulsory courses in philosophical methodology and the areas of:

• epistemology
• ethics
• philosophy of mind and philosophy of cognitive science

Options courses

Advanced, optional courses are available in:

• philosophy of science
• philosophy of religion.

Possible exit routes

The programme is also available as either a:

• Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) - 9 months
• Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) - 21 months

Dissertation

In taking the full MSc (2 years), you will write a dissertation on a research topic developed in consultation with your supervisor.

The MSc/PgDip/PgCert in Epistemology, Ethics and Mind aims to:

• provide you with a broad knowledge of contemporary philosophical work in epistemology, ethics, and philosophy of mind and cognitive science
• provide a basis for research in philosophy, especially in the core areas of philosophy constituted by epistemology, ethics and philosophy of mind and cognitive science
• provide a broad grounding in the research methods of philosophy
• develop your analytical skills

This programme provides you with a range of knowledge and skills to prepare you for a variety of career paths, including, but not limited to, further postgraduate study in philosophy.

We have graduates in PhD programmes across the world, including:

• University of Oxford
• University of Birmingham
• University of Illinois
• those who have chosen to pursue their studies further at Edinburgh.

Others are teaching philosophy at community colleges and high schools. Our graduates consistently tell us that the skills they have learned through the degree have influenced their thinking both in their careers and more generally through life.

This programme would be an ideal foundation for further graduate work in philosophy.

These entry requirements are for the 2022/23 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2023/24 academic year will be published on 3 October 2022.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in philosophy.

We will also consider a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in politics, classics or cognitive science, if you have taken courses in philosophy at undergraduate level.

We may consider your application if you have a background in another related area; please contact us to check before you apply.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified*:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 62 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

(*Revised 17 November 2021 to add accepted PTE Academic qualifications.)

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries.

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Read our general information on tuition fees and studying costs:

• Fees and costs

Featured funding

• Online Learning Scholarships

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding