Epistemology, Ethics and Mind (Online Learning) MSc, PgDip (ICL), PgCert (ICL), PgDip

Level: Postgraduate taught

Subject: Philosophy

Year of entry: 2026

Study options

Mode of study

Online learning

Full-time
  • MSc | 1 year | Start date: September 2026
  • PgDip | 9 months | Start date: September 2026
Part-time intermittent study
  • MSc | 4 years | Start date: September 2026
  • PgCert (ICL) | 2 years | Start date: September 2026
  • PgDip (ICL) | 4 years | Start date: September 2026

Key facts

School

School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Accreditation

Not available

Apply now

15 October: Postgraduate Online Learning Essentials

Find out what it’s like to study online at Edinburgh, with insights into learning, community and the support available to online postgraduate students.

Register now

Open Days on Demand

Dive into an extensive selection of programme-specific session recordings hosted by our Academic and Professional Services staff.


About the degree programme

This innovative online programme offers you a thorough grounding in contemporary philosophical research. It allows you to take advantage of Edinburgh’s remarkable range of expertise in the core philosophical areas of:

  • epistemology
  • ethics
  • philosophy of mind and philosophy of cognitive science

Our state-of-the-art e-learning software and extensive digital resources allow you to gain a world-class graduate qualification online.

You will also benefit from the flexible structure of the programme. You will develop your own specialised interest under the expert guidance of our distinguished academics.

Is this MSc for me?

This is an online programme only, and you can customise your learning in the areas you are most passionate about.

The innovative online format of the programme and the flexibility of study it offers make it accessible to those with family or professional commitments, or who live far from Edinburgh.

It provides an excellent preparation for further research and knowledge of philosophy, whether you choose to pursue this further in academic research or in a professional career.

Reputation, relevance and employability

Edinburgh has a proud and distinguished place in the history of philosophy and has long been associated with some of the field’s most important thinkers. Our philosophy department, one of the largest in the world, is now home to academics leading research into a wide range of contemporary topics.

Our students’ research projects are often published in academic or professional journals.

Our programme has an excellent reputation among employers and is known to prepare students well for further research opportunities. Many of our graduates have gone on to PhD training, and we have a high academic job placement record.

Our community

The School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences is home to a large, supportive and active student community, hosting events and activities throughout the year which you can join. As a postgraduate student, you will have access to a range of research resources, state-of-the-art facilities, research seminars and reading groups.

Find out more about our community

Video: Introduction to the MSc in Epistemology, Ethics and Mind

Watch a short introductory video, recorded by Dr Alasdair Richmond.

Study options

You can study this programme as a:

  • MSc - 1 year full-time or 2-4 years part-time
  • PgDip (120 credits coursework) - 9 months full-time or 2-4 years part-time
  • PgCert (60 credits coursework) - 1-2 years part-time

Programme rankings

  • Ranked 4th in the UK for Philosophy by Times Higher Education for the quality and breadth of the research using the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).

Tuition fees

Tuition fees by award and duration

Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year.

Full-time
Part-time intermittent study

Graduate discount

If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.

Find out how to receive your graduate discount

Deposit

You do not have to pay a deposit to secure your place on this programme.

Funding opportunities

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

  • borrowing money
    • taking out a loan
    • family support
  • personal savings
  • income from work
  • employer sponsorship
  • scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

There are a number of highly competitive scholarships and funding options available to MSc students.

Deadlines for funding applications vary for each funding source - please make sure to check the specific deadlines for the funding opportunities you wish to apply for and make sure that you submit your application in good time.

Search for other funding opportunities

You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.

Postgraduate funding opportunities

These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026.

Qualifications

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in philosophy.

We will also consider a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in politics, classics or cognitive science, if you have taken courses in philosophy at undergraduate level.

We may consider your application if you have a background in another related area; please contact us to check before you apply.

International qualifications

To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list.

English language requirements

You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.

This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.

You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:

  • an English language test
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English
  • certain professional qualifications

English language tests we accept

We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

  • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 7 in each component.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 145 in each component.
How old your English language tests can be
Tests no more than two years old

The following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Trinity ISE
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced
Tests no more than three and a half years old

All other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality.   

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).

Approved universities in non-MESC

How old your degree can be

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.

This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.

English language requirements

What you will study

You will gain a broad foundation in the research methods used within philosophy, and also a deep knowledge of the central philosophical areas of epistemology, ethics, and philosophy of mind and cognitive science.

Dissertation

In taking the full MSc (1 year full-time; 2 to 4 years part-time), you will write a dissertation on a research topic developed in consultation with your supervisor.

Compulsory courses

You will study compulsory courses in philosophical methodology and the areas of:

  • epistemology
  • ethics
  • philosophy of mind and cognitive science

You can also choose to take the two compulsory courses from this programme’s sister online MSc in Philosophy, Science and Religion.

Option courses

Available advanced option courses comprise:

  • Philosophy of Science
  • Philosophy of Religion
  • Islamic Philosophy
  • Philosophy of Time Travel
  • Philosophy, Science and Religion 1: The Physical World
  • Philosophy, Science and Religion 2: Life and Mind

Find courses for this programme

Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed.

The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme.

Full-time
Part-time intermittent study

We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

This is an online only programme that will be taught through a combination of:

  • short video lectures
  • web discussion boards
  • video conferencing
  • online exercises

You will have regular access both to faculty and dedicated teaching assistants, including one-to-one interactions.

You will also interact with other students on the programme as part of a dedicated virtual learning environment.

Learning outcomes

The MSc, PgDip and PgCert in Epistemology, Ethics and Mind aims to:

  • Provide you with a broad knowledge of contemporary philosophical work in epistemology, ethics, and philosophy of mind and cognitive science.
  • Provide a basis for research in philosophy, especially in the core areas of philosophy constituted by epistemology, ethics and philosophy of mind and cognitive science.
  • Provide a broad grounding in the research methods of philosophy.
  • Develop your analytical skills.

You will also gain transferable skills in:

  • written and verbal communication
  • group and teamwork
  • time and project management

Support for your studies

Student Adviser

All students have a named Student Adviser who you can visit in Appleton Tower. Student Advisers provide general support and guidance to students who are encountering difficulties with any aspect of University life.

Where appropriate they will liaise with other University Support Services, so they are able to provide the best possible support and advice for you. They can also help with a wide range of administrative and practical issues to do with your degree programme.

My Student Adviser

Academic support

Your Academic Cohort Lead works closely with your teaching team and Student Advisers to provide you with study support and guidance.

My Cohort Lead

How online learning works

This degree programme is taught entirely online. There is no need to come to the city or University campus. 

All learning and teaching takes place within our virtual learning environment (VLE). Through the VLE, you can: 

  • access all your learning materials and study resources, including e-books and library resources
  • interact with your tutors and classmates 

An online degree from the University of Edinburgh is academically equivalent to an on-campus postgraduate degree and involves the same level of work overall. The qualification you get is of equal value. Your degree certificate will not mention that you studied the programme online.

Watch our video to see how online learning works.

Time commitment

This programme is designed to be fully flexible to fit around your schedule. You can study in your own time and access all your learning resources, such as reading lists, discussion forms and slides from anywhere in the world.  

If there are live online sessions, you can watch a recording later in the virtual learning environment at a time convenient to you.    

Typically, you will need to dedicate around 10 to 20 hours per week to your programme although managing this is up to you. This may also vary from course to course, and the time commitment may increase when assignments are due.  

See 'Find courses' in Programme details for more information about study time commitment

Equipment and software needs

To study this online programme, you will need access to:   

  • a computer or laptop  
  • the internet  
  • the latest version of a web browser  

As an online student, you will have access to a range of software you can download to help you complete your coursework, including Microsoft Office 365. 

IT support is available if you have technical difficulties.  

IT and computing help

Support for online students

Career opportunities

This programme provides you with a range of knowledge and skills to prepare you for a variety of career paths, including, but not limited to, further postgraduate study in philosophy.

We have graduates who have chosen to pursue their studies further at Edinburgh, as well as in PhD programmes across the world, including:

  • University of Oxford
  • University of Birmingham
  • University of Illinois
  • Princeton University

Others are teaching philosophy at community colleges and high schools. Our graduates consistently tell us that the skills they have learned through the degree have influenced their thinking both in their careers and more generally through life.

Further study

After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.

Applying for research degrees

Moving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service)

Graduate profiles

Noah McKay

Degree: MSc Epistemology, Ethics and Mind

Year of graduation: 2024

Current work: Princeton University PhD

Edinburgh's MSc programme in epistemology, ethics, and mind gave me a strong grasp of cutting-edge analytic philosophy, which prepared me well for future graduate work. I received high-quality instruction in all of my courses and excellent mentoring from my thesis advisor. I especially recommend the programme to those planning to pursue a PhD in philosophy whose professional or familial obligations make remote or part-time study ideal.

Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service plays an essential part in your wider student experience at the University, providing:

  • tailored advice
  • individual guidance and personal assistance
  • internships and networking opportunities (with employers from local organisations to top multinationals)
  • access to the experience of our worldwide alumni network

We invest in your future beyond the end of your degree. Studying at the University of Edinburgh will lay the foundations for your future success, whatever shape that takes.

Careers Service

How to apply

You should avoid applying to more than one degree. Applicants who can demonstrate their understanding and commitment to a specific programme are preferred.

Your application and personal statement allow us to make sure that you and your chosen MSc are good matches for each other, and that you will have a productive and successful year at Edinburgh.

When to apply

We operate a gathered field approach to applications. This means that all complete applications will be held until the nearest deadline and the admissions panel will meet to consider all applications received together after that date.

To be considered as having met the deadline, your application must include transcripts and an academic reference.

Supporting documents and references

Applications must be complete with all supporting documentation to be passed on for consideration. This includes references.

Please ensure that you inform referees of any deadline you wish to meet.

RoundApply byReceive decision by
Round 1 27/11/202505/02/2026
Round 2 02/04/2026 28/05/2026
Round 3 04/06/202630/07/2026

Application fee

There is no fee to apply to this programme.

What you need to apply

As part of your online application, you will need to provide: 

You will also need to submit some or all of the following supporting documents:

When you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide.

References

You must submit one reference with your application.

You will be asked to add contact details for your referees. We will email them with information on how to upload their reference directly to your online application. Alternatively, they can email their comments to the PPLS Postgraduate Office:

pplspgoffice@ed.ac.uk

Personal statements

When applying you should include a personal statement detailing your academic abilities and your reasons for applying for the programme.

The personal statement helps us decide whether you are right for the MSc programme you have selected, but just as importantly, it helps us decide whether the MSc programme is right for you.

A good personal statement can make a big difference to the admissions process as it may be the only opportunity to explain why you are an ideal candidate for the programme.

Your personal statement should answer:

  • What makes this particular MSc programme interesting for you?
  • What are the most important things you want to gain from the MSc programme?
  • What are the key courses you have taken and that are relevant for this specific programme and what are your academic abilities?

You should include any other information which you feel will help us ensure that you are a good match for your intended MSc programme.

You should also include a short description of a philosophical question you would like to pursue during your time as an MSc student and an explanation of why you find it philosophically interesting.

Apply

Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for.

After you apply

Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.

Checking the status of your application

We will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.

Receiving our decision

What to do if you receive an offer:

General enquiries

PPLS Postgraduate Office

Dugald Stewart Building
3 Charles Street
Central Campus
Edinburgh
EH8 9AD

pplspgoffice@ed.ac.uk
Phone:+44 (0)131 651 5002

Academic contact

Dr Alasdair Richmond

Programme Director

  • School of Philosophy, Psychology & Language Sciences

Contact details

Address

PPLS Postgraduate Office
Dugald Stewart Building
3 Charles Street
Central Campus
Edinburgh
EH8 9AD

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