MA Philosophy and Politics
About this course
MA (Hons) in Philosophy and Politics, a philosophy and politics degree centred on the study of political theory, philosophical traditions, and societal governance. Core topics include Research Methods. Students complete an independent dissertation in the final year. The first year covers the foundations through morality and value, history of philosophy (Western and non-Western traditions), logic, and Politics and International Relations 1A: Concepts and Debates. The second year progresses with epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, and Comparative Politics in a Globalised World. The third year builds depth through courses such as political philosophy, British politics, human rights, and gender. The fourth year culminates in an independent dissertation on a philosophy or politics topic of your choice, alongside a coursework dissertation through 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 36%: 70 offers from 195 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 11 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 80%
- Assessment and feedback: 69%
- Academic support: 78%
- Organisation and management: 81%
- Learning resources: 96%
- Student voice: 71%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 6 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 45%
- Working and studying: 25%
- Further study: 20%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 16%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 14%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 11%
- Sales occupations: 8%
- Elementary occupations: 7%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
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 30 students who started
- A levels: 65%
- Baccalaureate: 25%
- Access course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Modules
- morality and value
- history of philosophy (Western and non-Western traditions)
- logic
- philosophy of science
- Politics and International Relations 1A: Concepts and Debates
- Politics and International Relations 1B: The Global Dimension
- epistemology
- metaphysics
- philosophy of language
- philosophy of mind
- Comparative Politics in a Globalised World
- Political Thinkers (an introduction to political theory)
- beauty and art
- language
- cognition and science
- history of philosophy
- knowledge and reality
- morality and value
- political philosophy
- British politics
- populism
- human rights
- gender
- African politics
- the Middle East
- an independent dissertation on a philosophy or politics 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 Politics at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £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 £1,000 less than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of MA Philosophy and Politics at University of Edinburgh do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Philosophy and Politics at University of Edinburgh?
92% 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 Politics at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 36 points in the IB. The average entrant had 189 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Philosophy and Politics at University of Edinburgh?
36% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 70 offers from 195 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Philosophy and Politics 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 Politics at University of Edinburgh?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.