Welcome to Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh
Studying philosophy allows you to think about some of the great philosophical questions, in a clear, disciplined and systematic manner. It introduces you to the thinking of some of the great philosophers of the past and present, and illuminates the connections between diverse areas of human experience.
Edinburgh has a distinguished place in the history of philosophy, as the subject has been taught at the University since it was founded in 1583. We can offer you a stimulating and flexible learning experience.
Why study Philosophy at Edinburgh?
- We're ranked 5th in the UK and 22nd in the world for philosophy (QS World University Rankings by subject 2025).
- Edinburgh has a distinguished place in the history of philosophy and continues to offer a wide range of traditional and contemporary topics including ethics, metaphysics, philosophy of race, gender and artificial intelligence.
- The University's reputation with employers stands at an impressive 96.9% (QS World University Rankings 2024).
Philosophy sample lecture
View a sample lecture recorded from a recent online information session. This will give you an insight into what you might learn in your first year at Edinburgh and allow you to explore the subject in more detail.
Our degree programmes
Single honours
Four year undergraduate degree programme
MA (Hons) Philosophy UCAS code V500
Joint honours
Four year undergraduate degree programme comprising a combination of two subjects
MA (Hons) Philosophy & Economics VL51
MA (Hons) Philosophy & English Language VQM3
MA (Hons) Philosophy & English Literature VQ53
MA (Hons) Philosophy & Scottish Literature VQ55
MA (Hons) Philosophy & Greek VQ75
MA (Hons) Philosophy & Linguistics VQ51
MA (Hons) Philosophy & Mathematics VG51
MA (Hons) Philosophy & Politics VL52
MA (Hons) Philosophy & Psychology VC58
Joint honours - modern languages
Four year undergraduate degree programme comprising philosophy and a modern language subject usually including one year studying abroad.
MA (Hons) French & Philosophy RV15
MA (Hons) German & Philosophy RV25
MA (Hons) Italian & Philosophy RR35
MA (Hons) Portuguese & Philosophy RV55
MA (Hons) Russian Studies & Philosophy RV75
MA (Hons) Scandinavian Studies & Philosophy RV65
MA (Hons) Spanish & Philosophy RV45
Interdisciplinary programmes
Four year undergraduate degree programme incorporating a number of subject areas
MA (Hons) Cognitive Science (Humanities) C851 (incorporating philosophy, psychology, informatics and language sciences)
Degree programme content
First year compulsory courses:
- Morality and Value - This course introduces you to some of the problems and concepts in moral philosophy that are central to philosophy as a discipline.
- Introduction to the History of Philosophy - The aim of this course is to introduce students to some of the great texts, debates, and questions in the history of philosophy.
- Logic 1 - You will be introduced to what is known as formal or symbolic logic.
Optional courses
You can select 60 credits of option courses in your first year. You can study subjects outside your key discipline, before specialising in years three and four. This allows you to develop a breadth as well as a depth of knowledge, expanding your academic range and enhancing your student experience.
Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme:
Please note this programme structure is for the current course content and availability is subject to change.
Teaching and support
Types of Teaching
In Years 1 and 2 teaching is mostly conducted in lectures and small group meetings called tutorials, where you will have the chance to discuss topics in greater detail.
Lectures comprise up to 450 students and tutorials normally comprise around 10 students. Usually you will have around 12 contact hours per week (depending on what courses you take).
In Years 3 and 4 the emphasis shifts to more specialised, seminar-based courses and independent study.
Student adviser
You will be allocated a named Student Adviser. The Student Adviser will support you during your time at University and will work alongside academic staff and teaching teams for more specialised academic support.
PhilPALS
PhilPALS is a Peer Assisted Learning Scheme. Trained philosophy students run academic study sessions on topics such as course content, assessment, essays, exams, study skills, and any further skills students need to excel in their degrees.
Philosophy Society
Founded in 1871, Edinburgh PhilSoc is the oldest continuously running society at the University of Edinburgh and is the largest and most active philosophy society in the UK. The society organises social events, lecture series, reading groups and discussion groups.
Careers in Philosophy
The philosophy courses you study throughout your programme provide you with the analytical and critical-thinking skills that are highly valued in the workplace.
Recent examples of roles our philosophy graduates have gone onto include:
- Political Researcher
- Content Editor
- English Teacher
- Trainee Accountant
- Business Consultant
- Economist
- Software Engineer
- PR Executive
Student experience
Iona Fielding, MA Philosophy graduate
"If you are harbouring any doubts about taking philosophy, dispel them immediately and apply. Contrary to popular belief, it is one of the most useful degrees you can come away with. In this day and age, being different will give you the edge. It will give you the confidence to approach unknown situations, as you can apply your philosophy skillset to nearly everything you do. It’s a genuinely interesting course - it’s not a means to an end, but something you can become unconditionally passionate about."
Find out more about philosophy
We’ve put together a list of resources to get you thinking about philosophy:
Blackburn, Simon: Think: A Compelling Introduction to Philosophy (Oxford University Press)
BBC Radio In Our Time: Philosophy: From Altruism to Wittgenstein-philosophers, theories and key themes - A live BBC radio podcast discussion series exploring the history of ideas.
The University of Edinburgh: Introduction to Philosophy - A Massively Open Online Course (MOOC) that you can do anytime. The course introduces you to some of the main areas of research in contemporary philosophy. It’s also one of the most popular MOOCs of all time!
- Read the latest Philosophy news from the school: News | The University of Edinburgh
Connect with us
For enquiries about entry requirements, admissions and your application:
Email: future.students@ed.ac.uk
How to apply and fees & funding information:
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