MA Philosophy and Psychology
About this course
MA (Hons) in Philosophy and Psychology, a psychology and philosophy degree exploring central questions in human thought, ethics, and mental processes. Core topics include Programming, Statistics, Research Methods, and Communication & Writing. The fourth year requires an independent dissertation on a philosophy or psychology topic of choice or a coursework dissertation through two extended essays in philosophy. Year 1 introduces the foundations through morality and value, history of philosophy, logic, philosophy of science, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, differential psychology, biological psychology, and social psychology. Year 2 builds on these themes with epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, reviewing scientific literature, report writing, and ethical awareness. Year 3 advances studies through beauty and art, language, cognition and science, history of philosophy, knowledge and reality, morality and value, and political philosophy, alongside advanced statistical analysis using R programming and qualitative methods applied in a group project. Year 4 concludes with an independent dissertation or a coursework dissertation.
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 AAA (required: Biology or Human Biology at B, Chemistry at B, Computer Science or equivalent at B, Environmental Science at B, Geography at B, Geology at B, Life and Health Science at B, Mathematics at B, Physics at B, Psychology at B, Statistics at B) 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 18%: 26 offers from 148 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 14 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 87%
- Learning opportunities: 68%
- Assessment and feedback: 68%
- Academic support: 83%
- Organisation and management: 64%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 63%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 28 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 5%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 60%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
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 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 60%
- Baccalaureate: 10%
- Access course: 10%
- Other HE qualification: 15%
- No formal qualifications: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Modules
- morality and value
- history of philosophy (may include Western and non-Western traditions)
- logic
- philosophy of science
- be trained in basic concepts in research methods and statistics
- learn how to programme in the R language
- learn to use a variety of qualitative methods
- have a practical introduction to laboratory-based psychology research
- cognitive psychology
- developmental psychology
- differential psychology
- biological psychology
- social psychology
- epistemology
- metaphysics
- philosophy of language
- philosophy of mind
- research methods
- statistics
- R programming
- cognitive psychology
- developmental psychology
- differential psychology
- biological psychology
- social psychology
- reviewing scientific literature
- report writing
- ethical awareness
- beauty and art
- language
- cognition and science
- history of philosophy
- knowledge and reality
- morality and value
- political philosophy
- advanced statistical analysis using R programming
- qualitative methods which are applied in a group project
- an independent dissertation on a philosophy or psychology 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 Psychology at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £28,000 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 £5,500 more than the UK median for Psychology.
What do graduates of MA Philosophy and Psychology at University of Edinburgh do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Philosophy and Psychology at University of Edinburgh?
87% 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 Psychology at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is AAA at A level, or 36 points in the IB. The average entrant had 166 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Philosophy and Psychology at University of Edinburgh?
18% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 26 offers from 148 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Is MA Philosophy and Psychology at University of Edinburgh accredited?
Yes. Accredited against the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Does MA Philosophy and Psychology 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 Psychology at University of Edinburgh?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.