MA Philosophy and Linguistics
About this course
MA (Hons) in Philosophy and Linguistics, an English Language and Linguistics and Philosophy degree covering the intersection of linguistic structures and philosophical thought. Core topics include Research Methods. Students complete an independent dissertation in their final year. The first year covers introductory material through morality and value, logic, philosophy of science, and Linguistics and English Language 1A. The second year progresses with epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of language, and Linguistic Theory and the Structure of English. In the third year, studies branch into options such as beauty and art, first language acquisition, phonological theory, and historical linguistics. The fourth year culminates in an independent dissertation on a philosophy or language sciences topic or a coursework dissertation consisting of two extended essays in philosophy.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: from A*A*A to AAB (required: no specific A level subjects required) IB: from 36 points with 665 at HL to 34 points with 655 at HL
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 41%: 7 offers from 17 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 95 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 89%
- Learning opportunities: 74%
- Assessment and feedback: 73%
- Academic support: 85%
- Organisation and management: 76%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 73%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 150 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 92%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 3%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 50%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 25%
- Unemployed: 5%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 90 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 6%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 43%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 2%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 34%
Who gets in
Based on about 150 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 81%
- Baccalaureate: 6%
- Access course: 3%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 4%
Modules
- morality and value
- history of philosophy (may include Western and non-Western traditions)
- logic
- philosophy of science
- Linguistics and English Language 1A offers a brief introduction to the study of language in general and of English in particular.
- Linguistics and English Language 1B will help you develop the tools and knowledge needed to investigate the different subsystems of language.
- epistemology
- metaphysics
- philosophy of language
- philosophy of mind
- Linguistic Theory and the Structure of English
- Cross-Linguistic Variation: Limits and Theories
- beauty and art
- language
- cognition and science
- history of philosophy
- knowledge and reality
- morality and value
- political philosophy
- first language acquisition
- pragmatics
- historical linguistics
- phonological theory
- simulating language
- an independent dissertation on a philosophy or language sciences topic of your choice
- a coursework dissertation through two extended essays in philosophy
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Philosophy and Linguistics at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £27,500 after 3 years, £33,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,000 and £48,000. The £33,000 median after five years is £3,000 more than the UK median for Linguistics.
What do graduates of MA Philosophy and Linguistics at University of Edinburgh do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Philosophy and Linguistics at University of Edinburgh?
89% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Philosophy and Linguistics at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 36 points in the IB. The average entrant had 173 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Philosophy and Linguistics at University of Edinburgh?
41% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 7 offers from 17 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Philosophy and Linguistics at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Philosophy and Linguistics at University of Edinburgh?
92% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.