Philosophy, Mental Health and Psychology MSc

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.

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.

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. 

• 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.

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:

Core modules

Choose ONE of the following modules:

Choose ONE of the following two modules:

Choose ONE of the following three modules:

Students must select 60 credits from the below modules.

Students may only take a maximum of 20 credits of LH modules in total.

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.

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.

Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.

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.

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.

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.

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 has developed into 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.

Campus life

Our green and spacious campus is the place where our diverse 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.

Student support

Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus, so that you can get the most out of your university experience.