MSc in Philosophy, Mental Health and Psychology

How can we think about mental health? Are psychological properties reducible to neural properties? What can both philosophy and psychology bring to our understanding of mental health?

On this unique interdisciplinary programme, you will explore philosophical and psychological approaches to the mind and mental health.

You will have the opportunity to learn from experts from across the Department of Philosophy, and the School of Psychology drawing on the world-leading research environments in research centres such as the Institute for Mental Health and the Centre for Human Brain Health. You will pursue original research drawing from a wide range of potential topics supervised by experts in these areas. You will take modules from across all three disciplines, but have the choice of which area you would like to specialise in.

This programme is aimed at graduates with a background in philosophy, psychology, linguistics, neuroscience, theology or sociology. Graduates from a range of other backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. It can also be used as a route into PhD research.

By studying this course you will develop many skills that are useful in both academic and non-academic settings:

Critical thinking skills: You will develop your ability to analyse problems and assess opinions from different viewpoints. This is highly useful for problem-solving and decision-making.

Communication skills: You will gain experience in presenting and explaining abstract concepts, scientific ideas and complex arguments in an accessible manner. You will also be good at persuading others by presenting logical and coherent arguments.

Writing skills: You will develop your skills in communicating effectively in writing. This includes being able to write clearly and concisely without compromising rigour.

Research skills: You will be able to identify problems and collect the necessary information to resolve them in a timely manner.

Why study this course?

• Taught by experts – The University of Birmingham has established world-leading research centres at the intersection of Philosophy, Mental Health and Psychology, such as the Institute of Mental Health and the Centre for Human Brain Health, providing you with the opportunity to study alongside some of the top interdisciplinary researchers thinking about mental health across these fields. You will have the opportunity to pursue original research supported by these fantastic interdisciplinary research environments, and by the highly-ranked Department of Philosophy and School of Psychology. The Department of Philosophy was ranked 1st in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework exercise 2021 based on Grade Point Average (Times Higher Education), and the School of Psychology was ranked in the top 100 in the world (QS World University Rankings, 2022).
• Interdisciplinary study – this unique course provides co-teaching from across philosophy, mental health and psychology, meaning that you will take modules from across all three disciplines and gain an understanding of how they interact with each other.
• Be a part of an active postgraduate community – you will join a lively and stimulating community in the Department of Philosophy, School of Psychology and the Institute for Mental Health. You will have the opportunity to contribute to ongoing research activities, including research seminars and events such as our speaker series, various workshops, reading groups and conferences throughout the year.
• Choose from a wide variety of modules
  • you will have the opportunity to build the course you study around your interests with a range of optional modules available from across Philosophy, Mental Health and Psychology.
• Access to a wide range of services – as a postgraduate student you will have access to services such as the Academic Writing Advisory Service and the Bank of Assessed Work which will aid your transition from undergraduate to postgraduate level, or back into academia after a time away.

The postgraduate experience

The College of Arts and Law offers excellent support to its postgraduates, from libraries and research spaces to career support and funding opportunities.

Our College of Arts and Law Graduate School is a vibrant international community of over 1500 postgraduate students. We benefit from excellent research resources and a supportive environment that allows your research to flourish. Located in the Arts building at the main Edgbaston campus, our team of academic and operational staff is on hand to offer support and advice whenever you need it.

As a College, we have top class facilities that encourage interaction between disciplines and research areas so you’ll be amongst like-minded people, giving you the stimulation, support, and challenges you need to succeed.

The University of Birmingham

Birmingham is constantly developing and evolving in its desire to become a leading global university. This is being achieved through our enhanced research power and reach; the distinctiveness of our exceptional student experience; the breadth and depth of our academic portfolio; our size and the extent of our global networks.

The city of Birmingham

Birmingham is no longer transforming; it is transformed. With independent restaurants, shops and bars throughout the centre and popular districts around the city, this new and vibrant Birmingham is nestled among local markets, iconic buildings of our industrial heritage and contemporary architecture such as the new Library of Birmingham.

New bars and shops open frequently as the city continues to build its youthful and unique identity. There is so much diversity and history within Birmingham that the shops, food and venues reflect this. Old icons such as the Custard Factory host alternative shops and bars, just a short walk from the famous Birmingham wholesale fish and rag markets, all of which nestle close to the new Grand Central train station and shopping precinct.

Birmingham Law School

For almost a century Birmingham Law School has led the way in legal education and research. Today, we continue to provide our students with innovative, challenging, and research-driven education.

The Birmingham LLM takes one year (full-time) or two years (part-time) to complete and involves the study of six specialist modules and a dissertation. Applicants must have a good undergraduate degree in Law or equivalent.

The Birmingham LLM allows students to follow a general route, with complete flexibility in module selection, or follow one of our specialist pathways. When applying to the Birmingham LLM, students do not need to decide whether they wish to specialise at that stage, as pathway specialisms can be decided once students start on the course.

The Shakespeare Institute

The Shakespeare Institute, located in Stratford-upon-Avon, has been a beacon for international Shakespeare scholarship since its foundation in 1951.

The University of Birmingham is engaged in an exciting collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). This pioneering project is the result of the longstanding relationship between the RSC and the Shakespeare Institute at Birmingham.

The collaboration is rooted in a vision of theatre as an engine room for creative thinking and research, a place for the exchange of artistic and academic knowledge and practice, and a shared commitment to enriching student experience and contemporary Shakespeare studies.

Our students are at the heart of the collaboration and encouraged to study and create theatre in Shakespeare's own daring spirit. They benefit from the expertise of RSC artists and practitioners through innovative modules, masterclasses, workshops and projects.