University of Birmingham - College of Arts and Law
MSc in Philosophy, Mental Health and Psychology
Birmingham, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
30 Aug 2024*
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2024
TUITION FEES
GBP 10,530 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for UK students | 7 May 2024 for international students
** for UK students full-time, £5,265 part-time | £24,120 for international students full-time
Introduction
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.
Career Opportunities
Preparing You for Your Future Career
Modern businesses are increasingly sensitive to issues connected with the mental well-being of their employees. Furthermore, issues surrounding implicit bias are now occupying a more central role in industries’ employment strategies. This course is unique in offering a broad grounding in a wide range of issues connected to our understanding of the mind.
Think tanks, policy writers, and others working in the public sector are increasingly required to be knowledgeable about the mind. This course will provide you with the tools to critically engage with these topics and prepare you for a potential career in these areas.
This course will also be very good preparation for postgraduate research, with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary work straddling empirical, clinical and philosophical approaches to the mind which is a strong and growing academic area.
Birmingham's Philosophy postgraduates develop a range of skills that are highly desirable in the job market including articulacy, precise analytical thought, and the ability to analyse and construct sound arguments.
Due to the transferable nature of these skills, Philosophy postgraduates traditionally enter a wide range of employment areas, from teaching and lecturing to social work. Based on the most recent 3 years of data, (Graduate Outcomes 2017/18 to 2019/20), 87% of leavers from Philosophy postgraduate programmes were in work and/or further study 15 months after graduation.
Support From the Careers Network
The University's Careers Network provides expert guidance and activities, especially for postgraduates, which will help you achieve your career goals. The College of Arts and Law also has a dedicated careers and employability team that offers tailored advice and a programme of College-specific career events.
You will be encouraged to make the most of your postgraduate experience and will have the opportunity to:
- Receive one-to-one career advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique, whether you are looking for a career inside or outside of academia
- Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations
- Attend an annual programme of careers fairs, skills workshops and conferences, including bespoke events for postgraduates in the College of Arts and Law
- Take part in a range of activities to demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers and enhance your CV
What’s more, you will be able to access our full range of career support for up to 2 years after graduation.
Curriculum
Core Modules
You will study three core modules:
- Philosophy of Cognitive Science
Either
- Research Methods and Skills in Psychology
Or
- Research Methods in Mental Health
Either
- Philosophy and Mental Health
Or
- Philosophy and Ethics of Mental Health and Well-being
Optional modules
You will also choose three optional modules. Options typically available include:
- Philosophy of Mind
- Epistemology
- Philosophy of Language
- Metaphysics
- Bioethics
- Fantastic Beasts and how to Understand Them: Topics in the philosophy of biology
- Adolescence: mind and brain
- Higher cognitive functions in children, adults, and nonhuman animals
- Translational cognitive neuroscience
- The neurobiology of mental illness
- Cognitive neuroscience methods and applications
- Introduction to data science
- Development and neurodiversity
Dissertation or research project
In addition to your taught modules, you will conduct a piece of independent research with the support of a
supervisor. There are three options available for you to choose from:
- Independent research in Philosophy. This option involves working 1-1 with a supervisor in the Department of Philosophy and writing a 15,000-word dissertation.
- Research dissertation in Mental Health. Students who take this option will undertake a research dissertation placement working on a current research project embedded in a research laboratory linked to the Institute for Mental Health at the University of Birmingham.
- Supervised research project in Psychology. This will involve group-based research, leading to a 6,000-word research thesis. See some of the recent projects undertaken by students on the course.
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarships and studentships
Scholarships to cover fees and/or maintenance costs may be available. To discover whether you are eligible for any award across the University, and to start your funding application, please visit the University's Postgraduate Funding Database.
International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government.
Postgraduate loans
Government-backed Master's loans are available to help UK and EU students to finance their studies. For those starting courses after 1 August 2020, loans are available of up to £11,836 for Masters students in all subject areas. Criteria, eligibility, repayment, and application information are available on the UK government website.
Program delivery
You will take six taught modules and undertake an independent research project in either Philosophy, Mental Health, or Psychology. Modules run for one term, and each module involves a two-hour weekly seminar which you are required to attend.
Studying Full-Time
You will spread your module work over the first two teaching terms, ideally studying three modules in each term. However, this depends on your module choices and it is also possible to study two in one term and four in another. Most of the work for your research project takes place in the summer.
Studying Part-Time
If you do a part-time program, you spread your modules over four teaching terms (autumn and spring of year one, and autumn and spring of year two). You will work on your research project in year two; again, most of this work takes place in the summer.
Teaching Year
We have three teaching terms per year, the autumn, spring, and summer terms. Term dates can be found on our website.
As a full-time student, you will typically take three modules in each of the first two terms, followed by your dissertation. If you are a part-time student, you will typically take three modules each year, followed by your dissertation.
Each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework, and assignment preparation.