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

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.

What will I learn?

We offer core courses in philosophical methodology and in the areas of epistemology, ethics, and philosophy of mind and cognitive science. We have advanced option courses available in epistemology, ethics, and philosophy of mind and cognitive science. Also available are option courses in philosophy of religion, philosophy of science and Islamic philosophy. Students can also choose to take the two core courses from this programme’s sister online MSc. in Philosophy, Science and Religion.

You will thus 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.

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 makes 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 further research opportunities. Many of our graduates have gone onto PhD training and we have a high academic job placement record.

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

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

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

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.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

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.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• 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.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 65 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online..
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 7 in each component.

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 programme you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, or Oxford ELLT test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the programme begins, regardless of your nationality. (Revised 14 January 2025 to include Oxford ELLT.)

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also 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

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

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 in PhD programmes across the world, including:

• University of Oxford
• University of Birmingham
• University of Illinois
• those who have chosen to pursue their studies further at Edinburgh

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.

This programme would be an ideal foundation for further graduate work in philosophy.

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