Ranking
1st
REF 2021 Grade point average
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Course overview
Deepen your understanding of mental health and the human mind with an MSc degree in Philosophy, Mental Health and Psychology at Birmingham. You’ll study across the three subject areas to broaden your perspectives on mental health and confidently lead discussions around ethics, the mind, and mental wellbeing.
Study issues affecting the modern human psyche in a world-leading research environment including the Institute for Mental Health and the Centre for Human Brain Health. You’ll learn from experts across Philosophy and Psychology as you pursue original research and specialise with a variety of optional modules.
Course structure
The course runs over 12 months full-time. You can also study this programme on a part-time basis.
September - December (11 weeks)
Full-time students normally take three modules per term in the first two terms.
There are two hours of seminar time per module per week, and an emphasis on guided independent learning.
One-third of your degree is your dissertation or project. You begin planning and submit a proposal for your dissertation or project during term one.
Course highlights
At Birmingham, you'll bridge psychology, mental health and philosophy through a flexible choice of engaging modules covering the latest debates in these fields.
You can choose to learn the ethics of intervention, research and practice; explore the neurobiology of mental illness; or take a philosophical approach to cognitive neuroscience methods.
- Join active communities in the Department of Philosophy, School of Psychology and the Institute for Mental Health.
- Design the course around your interests with a range of optional modules available across philosophy, mental health and psychology. Choose between a Philosophy dissertation, or a project in either Mental Health or Psychology.
- Take part in research activities, including research seminars and events like our speaker series, reading groups and conferences.
Gain a versatile skillset ready for further study or professional roles.
Expert guest lectures from industry professionals.
Links to research institutes and industry.
Teaching that crosses subject boundaries
Taking modules from all three disciplines will broaden your knowledge and provide new perspectives on how philosophy, mental health and psychology interact with each other.
Course delivery
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in Philosophy.
- Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
- Seminars - modules are mainly taught by small group teaching.
- Final project - there are three options for your final project. You can choose to undertake a 15,000-word Philosophy dissertation in an area that interests you, or you can undertake a research dissertation with group and individual components working on a project linked to the Institute for Mental Health, or you can undertake a supervised research project in Psychology. This involves group-based research, leading to a 6,000-word research thesis.
Module information
The programme comprises 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation or project. Modules run for one term.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
2025/26 Session
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Philosophy of Cognitive Science | 20 |
Core modules
Choose ONE of the following modules:
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Research Methods & Skills in Psychology | 20 |
| Research Methods in Mental Health | 20 |
Choose ONE of the following two modules:
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Ethics of Mental Health and Wellbeing | 20 |
| Philosophy and Mental Health | 20 |
Choose ONE of the following three modules:
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Dissertation | 60 |
| Dissertation in Mental Health | 60 |
| MSc Research Project | 60 |
Students must select 60 credits from the below modules.
Students may only take a maximum of 20 credits of LH modules in total.
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
- 2:1 Honours Degree
in Philosophy, Theology, Sociology, Psychology, Neuroscience, Linguistics and other similar disciplines.
You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree in Philosophy, Theology, Sociology, Psychology, Neuroscience, Linguistics or another similar discipline.
If your undergraduate degree is in another subject, you can still apply. We consider every application on its merits, and we’ll consider applicants from diverse academic backgrounds.
If your undergraduate degree is below a 2:1, you can still apply. Applications with less than a 2:1 undergraduate degree will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
We may also require you to submit a writing sample and attend an interview.
If you have been out of academia for some time, we will accept a professional reference and one academic reference, rather than the standard requirement for two academic references.
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
- TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill
English Presessional Programmes
Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.
Fees and scholarships
- £10,900
Full-time
- £5,450
Part-time
We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.
The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.
Paying your tuition fees
Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.
Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.
Postgraduate Masters Loan
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
Scholarships
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
Birmingham Masters Scholarships
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
Application process
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
- 29 August 2025
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Career opportunities
By studying a postgraduate degree in Philosophy at Birmingham, you’ll develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths. These skills include the ability to articulate your ideas clearly, analytical skills, and the ability to present a strong argument.
Our Philosophy graduates enter many roles, including:
- Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Victims Adviser
- Policy Advisor
- Deputy HR Manager
- Tutor
Employers our Philosophy graduates have worked for include:
- Regional police forces
- University of Birmingham
- Migrant Help
Please be aware this course is not BPA accredited.
The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits.
The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers report.
Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.
Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.
Careers Network
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
Student experience
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Accommodation
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. Our student accommodation will allow you to enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Living in Birmingham
As one of the original pioneering cities, Birmingham is a melting pot for shopping, food and drink, nightlife, sport, culture, and industry. It’s no wonder our students fall in love with the city.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students so that you can get the most out of your university experience.
Campus life
Our green and spacious campus is the place where our community comes together to learn, relax and socialise. Like a town of its own, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Take a virtual tour
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.