MSc Philosophy, Science & Religion (Online Learning)

Philosophy, science and religion are three endeavours that shape in far-reaching and fundamental ways how we think, what we value, and how we live. Public discourse, professional life, politics and culture revolve around the philosophical, scientific and religious ideas of our age; yet they and their relationship to each other are not well understood.

This programme brings together leaders in the fields of philosophy, science and theology, based both in Edinburgh and across the world.

You will be brought up to date with the relevant scientific developments including quantum mechanics, relativity, cosmology, evolutionary biology, neuroscience, and human origins, the relevant theological issues including the problem of evil, miracles, theological conceptions of creation, theological conceptions of providence, and eschatology, and the philosophical tools in the philosophy of science, metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophy of language required to understand the relationship between them.

You will develop logical acumen and analytical skills, and the ability to express yourself clearly in writing and in conversation with diverse groups of students from around the world. As well as being a leading research institution in philosophy, theology and the sciences, Edinburgh has lead the way in providing high quality, bespoke and intensive online learning at postgraduate level.

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.

This MSc in Philosophy, Science and Religion is designed to give you a rigorous grounding in contemporary work in the intersection of philosophy, science and religion.

About us

The School comprises Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences (Linguistics and English Language). The school aims to maintain its internationally-renowned reputation for research and to use this as a solid foundation for teaching.

There are over 100 academic staff within the School, and the breadth of expertise ranges from analytic philosophy and the study of English language, through theoretical and applied linguistics and experimental psychology, to cognitive neurosciences and genetic influences on human behaviour.

The School is unique in offering outstanding opportunities for interdisciplinary teaching and in pioneering novel forms of research that reach across traditional boundaries.

Each year, the School welcomes a diverse mix of over 1,400 undergraduate and postgraduate students from around the world. The School has well-established links with other areas of the University such as Clinical Neuroscience, Medicine, Informatics and Edinburgh College of Art.

All subject areas have active links with research organizations outwith the University and a broad network of collaboration with a range of universities around the globe. The School offers extensive support for academics, including dedicated undergraduate and postgraduate teaching offices, research and knowledge exchange support team and IT resources team.

The School is part of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.