Philosophy, Science and Religion (Online Learning) MSc, PgDip (ICL), PgCert (ICL), PgDip

Level: Postgraduate taught

Subject: Theology and Religious Studies

Year of entry: 2026

Study options

Mode of study

Online learning

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

Key facts

School

School of Divinity

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

Philosophy, science and religion are three endeavours that shape, in far-reaching and fundamental ways, how we think, what we value, and how we live. Public discourse, professional life, politics and culture revolve around the philosophical, scientific and religious ideas of our age; yet they and their relationship to each other are not well understood.

This programme brings together leaders in the fields of philosophy, science and theology, based both in Edinburgh and across the world.

You will be brought up to date with the relevant scientific developments including:

  • quantum mechanics
  • relativity
  • cosmology
  • evolutionary biology
  • neuroscience
  • human origins
  • extraterrestrial life 

And the relevant theological issues including:

  • problem of evil
  • miracles
  • theological conceptions of creation
  • theological conceptions of providence
  • eschatology
  • theological anthropology 

And the philosophical tools that are required to understand the relationship between them such as:

  • the philosophy of science
  • metaphysics
  • epistemology
  • philosophy of language

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

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

Study options

The programme is available as a:

  • MSc
  • Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert)
  • Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)

The main difference between the three programme routes is the number of credits you can gain.

  • The PG Certificate is 60 credits, which means students take three core courses.
  • The PG Diploma is 120 credits, where students take six courses in total.
  • The MSc is 180 credits, which includes the six courses plus the dissertation.

The MSc and PgDip are full-time across 1 year, or part-time between 2 to 4 years. 

The PgCert is across 1 to 2 years. 

More information about course options and the programme structure is included in the programme details section.

Programme rankings

  • 8th in the world for the study of Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)
  • 5th in the UK and 22nd in the world for Philosophy (QS World University Rankings by subject 2025)
  • The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 ranked the School of Divinity 1st in Scotland and 5th in the UK for its research power in theology and religious studies
  • 4th in the UK by Times Higher Education for the quality and breadth of philosophy research using the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021)
  • Edinburgh is ranked the 6th best student city in Europe and 13th in the world (QS Best Student Cities 2025)

Programme benefits

  • The University of Edinburgh has been delivering online degrees since 2005, with more than 11,000 graduates from over 180 countries.
  • We are experts in online learning and have a strong track record of providing the best experience possible, working closely with academic teams to design a fully online degree that works well for both the educators and our students.
  • We have a diverse faculty that specialises in different areas and religious discourses, making this is a unique experience for students.

Starting with content, it provides a huge variety of topics and sub-fields, from scripture to environment, philosophy and theology to music and spirituality. This variety allows/forces the student to cultivate creative links between different fields, leading to completely innovative ways of thinking. 

Moreover, the content is very "step-by-step". There are no jumps in assumed knowledge allowing for anyone to get introduced to any topic and get a good grip by the end of the semester, if they engage well. Finally, I was deeply impressed by the wide spread of hosted expertise to teach in the course. If you don't know the specialist that gave the lecture, when you come to write the paper you realise who they really are. 

With regards to form, I loved the flexibility and self-paced nature of the course. I was able to fully engage with the material while balancing many other job and life commitments. Moreover, the freedom to choose between the variety of courses allows each person to graduate with a fine-tuned course to their interests and future ambitions.  

Overall, I feel genuinely blessed to have encountered this course, and I hope others will find it as enriching and transformative as I did.

Abdulhafedh Alaswadi Philosophy, Science and Religion MSc

Tuition fees

Tuition fees by award and duration

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

Part-time intermittent study
Full-time

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

Featured scholarships

Divinity scholarships are awarded on academic merit. Most are open to all, but some are ring-fenced for applicants from certain parts of the world.

Awards are made for masters programmes. Typically, awards are for full or partial fee costs.

School of Divinity scholarships

If you live in the UK, you may be eligible for a postgraduate loan for study from one of the UK’s governments.

You should check that your chosen programme is eligible for the funding you want to apply for.

View details: UK government loans for postgraduate study

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 a relevant natural science (e.g. biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, mathematics) or relevant humanities subject (e.g. theology, religious studies, philosophy). 

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 6.0 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 20 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 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 6 in each component.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 135 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

This MSc, PGDip or PgCert in Philosophy, Science and Religion is designed to give you a rigorous grounding in contemporary work in the intersection of philosophy, science and religion.

You will develop logical acumen and analytical skills, and the ability to express yourself clearly in writing and in conversation with diverse groups of students from around the world.

As well as being a leading research institution in philosophy, theology and the sciences, Edinburgh has led the way in providing high quality, bespoke and intensive online learning at postgraduate level.

You will take options from a wide range of courses offered by the Department of Philosophy and the School of Divinity both jointly and individually, and will write a dissertation.

Compulsory courses

  • Philosophy, Science and Religion 1: The Physical World
  • Philosophy, Science and Religion 2: Life and Mind
Dissertation

If you take the full MSc route, you will write a dissertation on a research topic developed in consultation with your supervisor.

Option courses

  • History of Science and Religion
  • Philosophy of Religion
  • Philosophy of Science
  • Islamic Philosophy
  • Islam and Science
  • Science, Sorcery and Wonder in Islam 

In addition, students are able to take option courses from the online MSc in Epistemology, Ethics and Mind:

  • Epistemology
  • Ethics
  • Philosophy of Mind and Cognitive Science
  • Advanced Epistemology
  • Advanced Ethics
  • Advanced Philosophy of Mind and Cognitive Science

The options on offer change from year to year. If you would like to find out more about which courses will be available in your chosen year of study then please contact the Programme Director.

With the agreement of your Programme Director, you may also choose options from other taught masters programmes in the School or University, and from advanced undergraduate courses such as:

  • Historical Jesus
  • Jesus in Film
  • Sex and Gender in the Hebrew Bible

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.

Part-time intermittent study
Full-time

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

Teaching and assessment

Learning outcomes

The MSc/PgDip/PgCert in Philosophy, Science and Religion equips you to:

  • demonstrate a good understanding of the key areas in the current science-religion interface including cosmology, evolution, and the psychology and will be able to engage with them philosophically
  • demonstrate strong analytical skills and philosophical acumen in approaching debates between science and theology.
  • engage critically with key textual sources in the field.
  • engage constructively in cross-disciplinary conversations.
  • demonstrate an openness to personal growth through a commitment to dialogue across intellectual and spiritual boundaries

You will also gain transferable skills in:

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

Support for your studies

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.  

How we support you

Your first point of contact for teaching or academic advice and guidance will be your Academic Cohort Lead who is named on our student record.  Your Academic Cohort Lead is the Programme Director for your masters programme.

The School has its own Peer Support model where fellow students can offer you support and academic advice throughout your studies.

Our academic staff

Edinburgh has a proud and distinguished place in the history of theology and philosophy and has long been associated with some of the field’s most important thinkers. Our academic departments are home to academics leading research into a wide range of contemporary topics.

Current staff in Divinity include:

Current staff in Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences include:

Where you will study

Academic facilities

Postgraduates can opt-in to our mentoring scheme, in which staff members are matched with students outside their area of specialism to offer career and pastoral support.

The New College library holds one of the largest theology and religious studies collections in the UK.

Virtual tour

Get to know New College:

How online learning works

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

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.

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

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

Our programme has an excellent reputation among employers and further research opportunities. Many of our graduates have gone onto PhD training and we have a high academic job placement record.

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 theology or philosophy.

Others are teaching 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.

This programme would be an ideal foundation for further graduate work. However, the following skills are are all highly sought after by employers in a diverse range of fields:

  • analytical, clear and creative thinking and writing
  • the ability to manage projects that require significant research
  • the ability to engage in constructive conversations across disciplinary and cultural boundaries

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)

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. 

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. 

With the Careers Service, you can: 

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions 

Visit the Careers Service website 

How to apply

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

You should avoid applying to more than one degree. We prefer applicants who can demonstrate their understanding and commitment to a specific programme.

When to apply

We strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

We operate a gathered field approach to applications for this programme.

This means that all complete applications that satisfy our minimum entry requirements will be held until the nearest deadline. 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.

Applications are held for processing over three deadlines:

RoundApplication deadlinePlaces awarded
14 December30 January
25 February1 April
33 April29 May

Applications received after 3 April will be considered by 31 August, but only if there are places left on the course.

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.

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.

As part of your application, you will need to submit a sample of your written academic work.

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 programme you have selected, but just as importantly, it helps us decide whether the programme is right for you.

Your personal statement should include:

  • What makes this particular programme interesting for you?
  • What are the most important things you want to gain from the programme?
  • What are the key philosophy courses you have taken and that are relevant for this specific programme and what are your academic abilities?
  • A short description of a philosophical questions you would like to pursue during your time as a student here and an explanation of why you find it philosophically interesting
  • Any other information which you feel will help us ensure that you are a good match to your intended programme

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.

References

You will be asked to add contact details for your referee. We will email them with information on how to upload their reference directly to your online application.

Alternatively, they can email their comments to Div.PGAdmissions@ed.ac.uk.

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

Contact our enquiry team about your eligibility or how to apply.

Contact us
Phone:+44 (0)131 650 8952

Academic contact

Dr Shoaib Ahmed Malik

Programme Director

  • School of Divinity
  • College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
  • University of Edinburgh

Contact details

Related degree programmes