MA Philosophy and Psychology

Year 1

Philosophy

In Years 1 and 2, you will take a range of courses that introduce you to a variety of the main areas of philosophy. This will include courses in some or all of the following areas:

• Epistemology
• Ethics
• History of Philosophy
• Logic
• Metaphysics
• Philosophy of Language
• Philosophy of Mind
• Philosophy of Science

Psychology

There is a strong emphasis on research methods and statistical analysis throughout this programme.

From the start of the programme, you will be trained in basic concepts in research methods and statistics as well as programming in R. You will also have a practical introduction to laboratory-based psychology research.

Through lectures and tutorials, you will complete a general introduction to psychology, covering:

• cognitive psychology
• developmental psychology
• the psychology of memory and perception
• individual differences
• language and thinking
• social psychology

It is also strongly recommended that you take the Data Analysis for Psychology in R1 course, which will provide the foundations in working with:

• data
• probability
• hypothesis testing
• the R statistical programming environment

Year 2

Philosophy

You will continue to take courses in some or all of the main areas of philosophy listed above.

Psychology

You will complete a year-long, intensive grounding in research methods and statistics, as well as R programming, to prepare you for Year 3.

You will continue to study core areas of psychology, developing an integrated understanding of topics such as:

• individual differences
• abnormal, developmental and social psychology
• perception
• cognitive neuroscience
• language
• memory and learning

You will practise and develop your professional and study skills, such as:

• reviewing scientific literature
• report writing
• ethical awareness

These courses will build on the core knowledge developed from Year 1 courses, as well as covering more in-depth statistical knowledge required for psychology.

Year 3

You must take Research Methods and Statistics 2 and 3. You will also take the Philosophy Dissertation Preparation Course.

Beyond this, you can choose from a range of courses linked to our areas of expertise.

Philosophy

In philosophy, these include topics related to major areas of the subject, such as:

• language, cognition and science
• morality and value
• knowledge and reality
• history of philosophy

Psychology

In psychology, these may include:

• individual differences
• development
• biological and cognitive Psychology
• social psychology

Year 4

You will choose several courses from a wide variety available.

You will also complete either:

• an independent dissertation on a philosophy or psychology topic of your choice

Or

• a coursework dissertation through two extended essays in philosophy

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2023/24)

Our facilities

The majority of teaching will take place at locations within the University's Central Area, including the Psychology building at George Square.

You will have access to:

• specialised laboratories
• the School's own dedicated library
• the University's main library and computer facilities

Take a virtual tour

You can take a closer look at the University’s Central Area and explore our facilities on the University's Virtual Visit site.

Take a virtual tour of the Central Area

Study abroad

There are opportunities to study abroad in Year 3 through international exchange programmes.

What are my options for going abroad?

How will I learn?

Courses are taught through a combination of:

• lectures
• seminars
• tutorials

In Years 1 and 2, philosophy courses are taught through a combination of lectures and tutorials.

In Years 3 and 4, philosophy courses are taught through a mixture of seminars and tutorials.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed by a mixture of coursework and exams.

In Year 4, you will also complete either:

• an independent dissertation on a topic of your choice

Or

• a coursework dissertation through two extended essays

Studying a joint honours programme enables you to develop a wider range of transferable skills, and opens up more varied employment opportunities.

The philosophy and psychology courses will provide you with analytical and critical-thinking skills that are highly valued in the workplace.

Previous graduates have gone on to work in:

• education
• commerce
• journalism
• finance
• law
• computing

Some graduates also choose to continue with their studies and pursue a research or academic career.

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: AAAAA (achievement by end of S5 preferred). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: A*AA.
• IB: 39 points with 666 at HL - 37 points with 666 at HL.

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: Highers: one from Biology or Human Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science or equivalent, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology at B. Higher Applications of Mathematics is not accepted in place of Higher Mathematics. National 5s: English at C. Mathematics at A or Mathematics and Physics both at B or Higher Mathematics at C.
• A Levels: one from Biology or Human Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science or equivalent, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology at B. GCSEs: English at C or 4 and Mathematics at A or 7, or Mathematics and Physics both at B or 6, or Mathematics, Science plus Additional Science (or science double award) at BB or 66.
• IB: HL: one of Biology or Human Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science or equivalent, Geography, Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology at 5. SL: English at 5 and Mathematics at 6 (if not at HL).

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.

International Foundation Programme

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

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

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 at C
• GCSE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate at C
• IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

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

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 62 with at least 54 in each component.

(Revised 29 August 2023 to remove PTE Academic Online)

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

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

English language requirements

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for MA Philosophy and Psychology

Additional costs

None.

Funding

For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.

Fees and funding

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