Postgraduate taught 

Philosophy of Mind & Psychology MSc

Image of a brain

This interdisciplinary programme is ideal for students interested in studying the mind from a philosophical and psychological perspective. Our affiliation with the Centre for the Study of Perceptual Experience and our research strengths make this programme especially attractive to students interested in issues relating to perception.

  • MSc: 12 months full-time; 24 months part‑time

Why this programme

Philosophy: study of the mind
  • Courses reflect up-to-date research, drawing upon staff expertise in philosophy and psychology of mind and perception.
  • Students will participate in the ongoing PPN (Philosophy, Psychology, Neuroscience) seminar series, including special sessions where guest speakers meet with students in this program to discuss specific research projects.
  • You will participate in ongoing research activities in Philosophy, Psychology, and The Centre for the Study of Perceptual Experience - a world-class perceptual research centre.
  • Psychology at Glasgow is ranked 8th in the UK and 2nd in Scotland (Complete University Guide 2019).

Programme structure

The programme consists of two philosophy courses and two psychology courses as well as a research methods course in each subject. Modes of delivery include lectures, seminars, and lab work. During the summer, you will also write a dissertation on a topic of your choice, supported by an expert supervisor.

Core courses

Semester 1

Semester 2

Summer

  • DISSERTATION (10,000 - 15,000 words)

 

Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.

Career prospects

This programme provides students with rigorous and personalised training in problem solving, writing, presentation and research. These invaluable skills can be applied in a wide range of careers, including journalism, teaching, the Civil Service, local government, business, publishing, law, and the arts. It also provides students with an exceptional foundation for doctoral level research.

Fees & funding

Tuition fees for 2023-24

MSc

UK

  • Full-time fee: £10050
  • Part-time fee: £1117 per 20 credits

International & EU

  • Full-time fee: £22140

Additional fees

  • Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
  • Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
  • Registration/exam only fee: £170

Funding opportunities

Beatrix Whistler and James McNeill Whistler Scholarship

The Beatrix Whistler and James McNeill Whistler Scholarships originate with an important collection of works by Whistler gifted by Miss Rosalind Birnie Philip to the University in 1935. Since then, and thanks to further gifts and acquisitions, the Hunterian has come to hold one of the two leading collections of Whistler’s work in the world and History of Art (SCCA) has become an international centre of expertise for the study of Whistler and his 19th century world.  

At her death in 1958, Miss Birnie Philip, Whistler’s heir and executrix, bequeathed the remainder of her art collection to the University, together with part of her residual estate for the purpose of establishing a scholarship scheme for students engaged in any branch of learning within the College of Arts. In 2019, the Whistler scholarships scheme was revised in acknowledgement of the continuing links between Miss Birnie Philip’s 1958 bequest of artworks and her wish to support student learning at the University. 

The Whistler Scholarships are open to students in all disciplines of the College of Arts. The award committee is willing to consider both individual applications AND joint applications (from up to THREE students). Innovative interdisciplinary work is particularly encouraged. However, students may only involve themselves in the submission of ONE application (individual OR joint).

The Whistler Scholarships cover travel and subsistence ONLY. However, in the case of Whistler-related proposals submitted under Scheme 1 additional funds may be made available at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee to cover research or other relevant expenses.

GREAT Scholarships 2022 - China

Are you considering a postgraduate degree in the UK? A GREAT scholarship could be for you!  

GREAT Scholarships are jointly funded by the University of Glasgow with the UK government’s GREAT Britain campaign and the British Council.  

We are offering £10,000 towards tuition fees for one-year master’s programmes to students from China who will enrol into one of the eligible University of Glasgow postgraduate programmes for the 2022-23 academic year. 

For more information on the GREAT Scholarships 2022, please visit Study UK and the British Council website in your country.   

GREAT Scholarships 2022 - Bangladesh

Are you considering a postgraduate degree in the UK? A GREAT scholarship could be for you!  

GREAT Scholarships are jointly funded by the University of Glasgow with the UK government’s GREAT Britain campaign and the British Council.  

We are offering £10,000 towards tuition fees for one-year master’s programmes to students from Bangladesh who will enrol into one of the eligible University of Glasgow postgraduate programmes for the 2022-23 academic year.   

For more information on the GREAT Scholarships 2022, please visit Study UK and the British Council website in your country. 

Chevening Scholarship

Chevening Scholarships are the UK government's global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations. The scholarships are awarded to outstanding scholars with leadership potential. Awards are typically for a one year Master’s degree at universities across the UK. There are over 50,000 Chevening Alumni around the world who together comprise an influential and highly regarded global network.

For further information, please refer to the Chevening website.

Commonwealth Scholarship Schemes

Commonwealth Scholarships are available each year to fund Commonwealth citizens' study in the UK for undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications. A range of scholarship schemes are available for citizens of Commonwealth countries other than the UK. Further information is available on the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission's website.

University of Glasgow Chancellors Award (Africa)

The University of Glasgow has 10 Chancellors Award Scholarships available to international students from Africa starting a postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline in academic session 2022-23. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount.

Snowdon Masters Scholarships

The Snowdon Masters Scholarships have been designed to identify and accelerate talented disabled individuals through higher education.

The scholarship has been designed to identify and accelerate talented disabled individuals through higher education.

The scholarship is aimed at;

  • Supporting brilliant students with the ability to create change and influence others
  • Provide funding for students with excellence in a field of study, within and beyond academia
  • Accelerate disabled students to become leaders and role-models
  • Provide opportunity for individuals with the drive and determination to succeed

Please see Snowdon Masters Scholarships website for more details.

PGT Excellence Scholarship

The University of Glasgow has a total of 20 PGT Excellence Scholarships available to UK students entering any of the University’s Colleges.

Climate Leadership Scholarships

Cop26 was held in Glasgow from 31st October – 12th November 2021 and the University of Glasgow recognises the importance of universities in tackling the climate emergency. Glasgow is part of the newly formed  Cop26 Universities Network, a growing group of over 80 universities working together to promote a zero-carbon future. Alongside vital research being carried out by our academics, Glasgow recognises that urgent action is needed on our campuses, and we aim to be carbon neutral by 2030.  We believe that the climate emergency can only be addressed by implementing long-term sustainability policies and our Green Glasgow strategy details our action plan for the next decade.

In recognition of the vital need for action to combat the climate emergency the University of Glasgow is excited to launch our Climate Leadership Scholarships. We have 20 scholarships available to UK students entering any of our Colleges on a PGT programme which engages with the climate emergency.

As a world-changing research-led University we are committed to supporting the next generation of researchers working across disciplines to address the climate emergency.

University of Glasgow Chancellors Award (Nigeria)

The University of Glasgow has 10 Chancellors Award Scholarships available to Nigerian students starting a postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline in academic session 2022-23. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount.

Vice Chancellor EU Award

The University of Glasgow continues to be committed to ensuring a strong relationship with our existing and future EU students, and supporting EU talent to make their home at the University of Glasgow. 

We appreciate the challenging financial implications that have arisen as a result of Brexit, and are therefore delighted to offer the Vice Chancellor EU Award to highly qualified new incoming EU students starting a postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline for Academic Session 2022-23. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount. This discount cannot be combined with another University scholarship.

EU Welcome Award

The University of Glasgow continues to be committed to ensuring a strong relationship with our existing and future EU students, and supporting EU talent to make their home at the University of Glasgow. 

We appreciate the challenging financial implications that have arisen as a result of Brexit, and are therefore delighted to offer the EU Welcome Award to new incoming EU students starting a postgraduate taught Masters programme for Academic Session 2022-23. The scholarship is awarded as a £5,000 tuition fee discount. This discount cannot be combined with another University scholarship.

University of Glasgow International Leadership Scholarship

The University of Glasgow has several International Leadership Scholarships available to International and EU (non-UK) students starting a postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline for Academic Session 2022-23. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fees discount.

Banco de Mexico

The Mexican National Bank (Banco de Mexico) provides special loans for students who wish to undertake a programme of postgraduate study. The University of Glasgow in partnership with Bank of Mexico FIDERH is offering a fee discount to holders of a Bank of Mexico FIDERH loan. See the FIDERH website for further information.

Erasmus+ Master Degree Loans

Erasmus+ Master Degree Loans are EU-guaranteed loans with favourable pay-back terms. They’re designed to help prospective students finance their Master’s courses in an Erasmus+ Programme country while leaving as little of a lasting economic footprint as possible.

The scheme is designed to provide postgraduate students with the means to pay their tuition and living expenses – thereby allowing individuals to focus on their degree instead of managing their bank balance. The programme aims to be as inclusive as possible, working under the following guidelines:

  • No need for collateral from students or parents - ensuring equality of access
  • Favourable, better-than-market interest rates
  • Pay-back terms that allow graduates up to two years to find work before beginning repayment.

Please visit the Erasmus+ Master Degree Loans website for more information.

Colfuturo Fundacion para el Futuro de Colombia

The University of Glasgow offer discounts to all successful Fundacion para el Futuro de Colombia (Colfuturo) scholars who enrol at the University of Glasgow to complete a postgraduate programme.

CONICyT (La Comsion Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica de Chile)

The University of Glasgow offers a 25% discount to all successful CONICyT scholars who enrol at the University of Glasgow to complete a postgraduate programme.

CONACyT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia) / FUNED Agreement

CONACYT offers a non-refundable scholarship, a monthly stipend and medical insurance of an approximate total of $20,000 USD (in the case of the UK, no medical insurance grant is given since students are already covered by the National Health System) The University of Glasgow offer a 30% discount to all successful CONACyT scholars who enrol at the University of Glasgow to complete a postgraduate programme.

Postgraduate Student Loan (Scotland and EU)

Eligible full-time and part-time students, undertaking an eligible postgraduate course, can apply for a tuition fee loan up to a maximum of £5,500 towards their course. Eligible full-time postgraduate students can apply for a living-cost loan of up to £4,500.  

This support extends to online Masters or Postgraduate Diplomas, and not to the online Postgraduate Certificate courses.

For more information visit the SAAS website.

Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loans England only (PTFL)

If you’re an English student looking to study a taught Masters programme in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan. Students from England are able to apply for a non-means tested Postgraduate Master’s Loan of up to £11,570 to help with course fees and living costs. You have to repay your Postgraduate Master’s Loan at the same time as any other student loans you have. You’ll be charged interest from the day you get the first payment.

If you’re studying by distance learning, you can also apply.

Postgraduate Loans for Welsh Students

If you are a Welsh student looking to study a postgraduate programme* in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan in exactly the same way as you would for a Welsh University.

* does not apply to Erasmus Mundus programmes

Postgraduate Master's Finance

If you’re starting a full-time or part-time Postgraduate Master’s course (taught or research based) from 1 August 2019, you can apply for Postgraduate Master's Finance and receive up to £17,000 as a combination of grant and loan:

  • a maximum grant of £6,885 and loan of £10,115 if your household income is £18,370 and below
  • a grant of £1,000 and loan of £16,000 if your household income is not taken into account or is above £59,200.

For more information visit Student Finance Wales

Postgraduate Doctoral Loan

If you’re starting a full-time or part-time postgraduate Doctoral course (such as a PhD) from 1 August 2019 you can apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan of up to £25,700.

For more information visit Student Finance Wales

Alumni Discount

In response to the current unprecedented economic climate, the University is offering a 20% discount on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni, commencing study in Academic session 2022/23. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad programme or the Erasmus Programme at the University of Glasgow. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. This discount can be awarded alongside most University scholarships.

Postgraduate Student Loan (NI)

If you are a Northern Irish student looking to study a taught Masters programme* in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan in exactly the same way as you would for a University in Northern Ireland.

Northern Irish students are able to apply for non-means-tested tuition fee loans of up to £5,500, to help with the costs of funding.

For more information visit www.studentfinanceni.co.uk/types-of-finance/postgraduate .

* does not apply to Erasmus Mundus programmes

Clark (Mile-End) Bursary Fund

The Clark (Mile-End) Bursary Fund is a charitable endowment which was established in 1868 by a Victorian philanthropist by the name of John Clark. He was a thread manufacturer and prominent citizen from Paisley. The fund is now governed by Rules laid down in a 1974 Scheme (as varied with the consent of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator in 2013).

Please see the Clark (Mile-End) Bursary Fund for more information.

Sanctuary Scholarships

The University of Glasgow is offering up to 20 Sanctuary Scholarships for applicants to the University who are in the UK on humanitarian grounds and are facing challenges in progressing onto Higher Education. The scholarship is open to prospective undergraduate and postgraduate taught students at the University of Glasgow applying for entry in September 2023/24.

The scholarship will meet the cost of tuition fees for the duration of your programme, for those applicants who are unable to cover full tuition fees through access to public funds by applying to SAAS or Student Finance. The Sanctuary Scholarship also provides a £5,000 per year stipend, to assist with study costs. In addition, if the eligibility criteria for university accommodation is met, this will also be provided for the duration of your degree, if required. For more information on the accommodation criteria, please see the Accommodation Services section on the website.

The Clan Gregor Society Prize

The Clan Gregor Society is offering an award to new entrants to the University of Glasgow who descend from Clan Gregor. Prospective students will be asked to submit an application highlighting areas of consideration such as academic excellence and financial need. The award is open to both Undergraduate and Postgraduate applicants for 2022 entry.

Flywire Charitable Foundation Academic Scholarships

The Flywire Charitable Foundation is offering 8 scholarships to students for the coming academic year. The scholarships are across the following themes: global health, global citizenship, social justice and environmental sustainability.

Please see Flywire Charitable Foundation Scholarships for more details.

The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for postgraduate taught programmes are a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification (for example, GPA 3.0 or above) in a relevant subject unless otherwise specified.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

  • 6.5 with no subtests under 6.5.
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Common equivalent English language qualifications

All stated English tests are acceptable for admission to this programme:

TOEFL (ibt, my best or athome)

  • 92 with minimum R 23, L 23, S 23, W 24.
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.

PTE (Academic or Academic Online)

  • 60 with minimum 60 in all subtests.
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) 

  • 180 overall, no subtest less than 176
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Glasgow International College English Language (and other foundation providers)

  • 65%.
  • Tests are accepted for academic year following sitting.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

  • Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

Alternatives to English Language qualification

  • Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
    • students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have complete their degree in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
  • Undergraduate 2+2 degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
    • students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

 

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form

International students

We are proud of our diverse University community which attracts students and staff from over 140 different countries.

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.

Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.

Documents

As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:

  • A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
  • A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
  • Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
  • One reference letter on headed paper
  • Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)
  • Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
  • A copy of the photo page of your passport (Non-EU students only)

You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.

You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.

For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, check Frequently Asked Questions

Guidance notes for using the online application

These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form. 

If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application then you should visit the Application Troubleshooting/FAQs page.

  • Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
  • Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
  • Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
  • Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
  • Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
  • English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
  • Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.

Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.

Application deadlines

Application deadlines

September 2023

  • International & EU applicants: 26 July 2023
  • UK applicants: 17 August 2023
Apply now

More information about this programme

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