MA Philosophy and Psychology
UCAS code: VC58
Duration: 4 years
Delivery: Full-time
School: Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences
College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Introducing MA Philosophy and Psychology
Philosophy
Philosophy has been at the core of Western intellectual life for at least 2,500 years. It is central to our understanding of the world, our place in it and our interaction with it.
Philosophy provides the tools by which the presuppositions of all areas of intellectual and practical activity may be systematically and critically examined.
While there are different approaches that philosophers have taken, the study of philosophy emphasises the use of:
- argument
- critical enquiry
- rigour in reasoning
- clarity of expression, including the making of pertinent distinctions
Philosophy at Edinburgh
The University has a strong historic connection to the subject, counting Adam Ferguson and Sir William Hamilton among its former students.
Edinburgh has one of the UK’s largest philosophy departments and the Philosophy Society attracts high-profile speakers.
Our programme is structured in such a way that you will cover the basics of Western philosophy. Later in the degree, you will have the opportunity to select from a wide variety of courses from Philosophy of Well-Being to Feminism.
Psychology
Psychologists study:
- how we perceive, think and learn about the world around us
- the way biological and social factors influence how we behave
- how interests and abilities differ from person to person
- how we communicate verbally and non-verbally
- how and why our mental abilities change across our lifetime
Psychology is an experimental and observational science, in which evidence from research studies is used to develop and evaluate theories.
Our psychology courses have a strong emphasis on developing skills in research methods and statistical analysis, to support our research-led teaching.
Studying Philosophy and Psychology
This joint programme allows you to gain an in-depth knowledge in both subject areas, and the opportunity to specialise in the topics that interest you most.
Accreditation
This programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), provided that you:
cover all of the core BPS areas:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Biological Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Individual Differences
complete a dissertation in Year 4
achieve a 2.2 or above in your overall degree classification
The vast majority of students graduate with BPS accreditation, however, if you fail to meet the accreditation criteria, you will graduate with an alternative degree in 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- Have a query about undergraduate study?
- Send an enquiry
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- Philosophy and Psychology (MA) VC58
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