Mind, Language and Embodied Cognition MSc
Awards: MSc
Study modes: Full-time, Part-time
Funding opportunities
Programme website: Mind, Language and Embodied Cognition
This programme provides an intensive grounding in the philosophy of cognitive science its methodologies, research questions and techniques of research with an emphasis on issues surrounding situated and embodied cognition.
You will study among one of the world’s largest and most vibrant postgraduate communities in philosophy, alongside internationally recognised leaders in the study of mind, language and embodied cognition.
By choosing this programme, you will be entering one of the most exciting areas of contemporary research in philosophy of mind, an increasingly popular field in which many large unsolved problems remain.
This programme comprises two semesters of taught courses followed by a dissertation. You will be assigned a dissertation supervisor with whom you meet to plan your reading and discuss your work.
Compulsory courses:
- Introduction to Mind, Language and Embodied Cognition
- Advanced Topics in Mind, Language and Embodied Cognition
A wide range of optional courses is offered in the philosophy, psychology, language sciences, informatics and music subject areas. Options may include:
- Computational Cognitive Neuroscience
- Foundations of Evolution
- Mind and Body in Early Modern Philosophy
- Origins and Evolution of Language
- Psychology of Language Learning
- Ancient Theories of Mind
Find out more about compulsory and optional courses
We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc | 1 Year | Full-time | Programme structure 2022/23 |
On completion of the programme, students will have acquired a good knowledge and understanding of:
- central areas in the philosophy of mind and cognitive science
- central arguments and challenges facing claims about embodied, situated, and extended cognition.
- interaction between empirical work in cognitive science and arguments in philosophy of mind
- the basic principles of research in philosophy and cognitive science
This programme will provide you with the training necessary to undertake research in philosophy of cognitive science, and ultimately to pursue a career in academic philosophy. You will also acquire an understanding of the central debates in the sciences of the mind today.
If you do not intend to follow an academic route, the study of philosophy helps to develop general intellectual abilities and enhance analytical, critical, interpretive and problem-solving abilities.
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 or a related field such as cognitive science, computer science, psychology or linguistics.
Students from China
This degree is Band C.
International qualifications
Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:
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:
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:
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc | 1 Year | Full-time | Tuition fees | |
MSc | 2 Years | Part-time | Tuition fees |
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.
Other funding opportunities
Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:
- PPLS Postgraduate Office
- Phone: +44 (0)131 651 5002
- Contact: pplspgoffice@ed.ac.uk
- Programme Director, Dr Tillmann Vierkant
- Phone: +44 (0)131 651 5002
- Contact: T.Vierkant@ed.ac.uk
- PPLS Postgraduate Office
- Dugald Stewart Building
- 3 Charles Street
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9AD
- Programme: Mind, Language and Embodied Cognition
- School: Philosophy, Psychology & Language Sciences
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Applying
Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.
MSc Mind, Language and Embodied Cognition - 1 Year (Full-time)
MSc Mind, Language and Embodied Cognition - 2 Years (Part-time)
Programme start date | Application deadline |
---|---|
12 September 2022 | 30 June 2022 |
If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa, then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis with a final deadline of 30th June 2022.
You must submit one reference with your application.
References
You will be asked to add contact details for your referees. We will email them with information on how to upload their reference directly to your online application. Alternatively, they can email their comments to:
Personal statement
In addition to the supporting documents requested on the application form, you should include a personal statement detailing the background of your interest and why you are attracted to the programme. We expect you to have a good understanding of the field you propose to study.
Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:
Further information
- PPLS Postgraduate Office
- Phone: +44 (0)131 651 5002
- Contact: pplspgoffice@ed.ac.uk
- Programme Director, Dr Tillmann Vierkant
- Phone: +44 (0)131 651 5002
- Contact: T.Vierkant@ed.ac.uk
- PPLS Postgraduate Office
- Dugald Stewart Building
- 3 Charles Street
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9AD
- Programme: Mind, Language and Embodied Cognition
- School: Philosophy, Psychology & Language Sciences
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences