MA Philosophy and Politics

UCAS code: VL52

Duration: 4 years

Delivery: Full-time

School: Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences

College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Study abroad

Introducing MA Philosophy and Politics

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 and our interaction with it.

Philosophy gives you the skills to think about great philosophical questions in a clear and systematic way.

While there are different approaches that philosophers have taken, the study of philosophy focuses on:

argument
critical enquiry
rigour in reasoning
clarity of expression, including making important 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 covers the basics of Western philosophy. Later in the degree, you can select from a variety of courses from Philosophy of Well-Being to Feminism.

Politics

Politics studies the theory and practice of how societies are governed. It asks questions such as:

How do our political institutions create collective rules and who has the power to make them?
What are the consequences of political decisions?
What is the nature of a just society, and how do we get there?

Drawing on the expertise of leading academics and researchers in the field, you will explore the origins and present-day contexts of societal conflicts about power and resources.

You will also study the:

processes of governance at the local, national, and international levels
morality of political action
limits of freedom and justice

Studying Philosophy and Politics

This joint programme gives you in-depth knowledge in both subject areas, and the opportunity to specialise in the topics that interest you most.

What you will study

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 the following areas:

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

Politics

You will also study two compulsory courses in politics:

Politics and International Relations 1A: Concepts and Debates
Politics and International Relations 1B: The Global Dimension

Option courses

You will complete your Year 1 studies with an option course chosen from a wide range of courses.

Year 2

Philosophy

You will continue to take courses in some or all of the main areas of philosophy listed in the Study Year 1 section.

Politics

You will also study two compulsory courses in politics:

Comparative Politics in a Globalised World
Political Thinkers (an introduction to political theory)

Option courses

You can also choose to take courses in other subjects with links to philosophy and politics.

Year 3

Philosophy

You will take the Philosophy Dissertation Preparation Course. You will also choose six courses from a range related to our areas of expertise.

In philosophy, topics are linked to the major areas of the subject:

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

Politics

In politics, topics will cover subjects. such as:

British politics
populism
human rights
gender
African politics
the Middle East

Year 4

You will choose another four to six courses from a wide variety available.

You will also complete either of the following:

an independent dissertation on a philosophy or politics topic of your choice
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 (2024/25)

Where you will study

Our facilities

Most teaching takes place at the University's Central Area. You can use all the University's libraries and computing 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?

Learning and assessment

How will I learn?

Courses are taught through a mix of:

lectures
seminars
tutorials

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

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

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through coursework and exams.

In Year 4, you will also complete either of the following:

an independent dissertation on a topic of your choice
a coursework dissertation through two extended essays

Career opportunities

The philosophy and politics courses you study during your programme provide you with analytical and critical-thinking skills that are valued by employers.

Previous graduates have gone on to work in:

education
commerce
journalism
finance
law
computing

Some graduates also choose to continue with their studies through research or an academic career.

Entry requirements

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

SQA Highers: AAAA (achievement by end of S5 preferred). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
A Levels: AAA.
IB: 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: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5s: English at C.
A Levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
IB: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: English at 5.

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

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which 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.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
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 65 with at least 54 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 5 in each component.*

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

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT, or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.

English language requirements

(*Revised 24 May 2024 to change PTE Academic requirement from total 62 with at least 54 in each component, and to clarify that we do not accept PTE Academic online. Revised 29 August 2024 to add Oxford ELLT requirements.)