Postgraduate taught 

Philosophy: Knowledge & Society IntM

This programme is currently being considered by the EU for funding as part of the Erasmus Mundus International Joint Masters. Please register your interest if you would like to be updated on this programme, which has an anticipated start date of September 2026.

This two year Joint Masters Degree is designed to examine critically the challenges relating to the acquisition, distribution, exchange and preservation of knowledge and information in contemporary society. Mobility periods will give you the opportunity to study at the University of Glasgow and its world class consortium partners.

Register your interest for more information

privacy

Why this programme

  • The programme provides an excellent opportunity for those interested in societal issues relating to knowledge and information to gain a broad grasp of the subject, as well as a deep insight into its theoretical foundations and practical applications.
  • This is an exciting and innovative programme offered by the University of Glasgow, the University of Barcelona (Spain), the University of Cologne (Germany), the University of Luxembourg (Luxembourg), and the Free University of Amsterdam (Netherlands).
  • By studying with a combination of these partners, you will be taught by leading experts in the study of knowledge and information as well as related fields in philosophy.
  • The programme is unique in terms of the subject matter covered and the diverse range and complementary nature of the six partner universities.
  • We offer a variety of study tracks with both a theoretical and applied focus.

Programme structure

The programme is taught over 24 months and includes at least three mobility periods. Designed so that students can benefit from the specific expertise of each of the partners, it contains several study tracks chosen at the point of application.

In semester 1 you will study at the University of Glasgow, gaining an overview of key issues relevant to the study of knowledge and society.

In semester 2 students follow their first study track choice. You can study either at the University of Barcelona (study track: Knowledge, Language, and Logic), or at the University of Cologne (study track: Knowledge, Metaphysics, and Science).

In semester 3 students follow their second study track choice. You can study either at the University of Luxembourg (study track: Knowledge in the European context), or at Free University Amsterdam (study track: Knowledge, Morality, and Politics).

In semester 4 students return to one of the degree-awarding partner institutions for their dissertation semester. The institution you return to will depend on your choice of research topic. However, the supervisory team is constituted from the three degree-awarding partner institutions.

Year 1

Semester 1, 60 SCQF

Study Track 1: Overview, the University of Glasgow.

Students take three core courses (20 SCQF each). 

Core courses:

  • Epistemology A (20 SCQF)
  • Philosophical Methodology (20 SCQF)
  • Philosophy Research Methods A (20 SCQF)

Semester 2, 60 SCQF

Study Track 2A: Knowledge, Language, and Logic, the University of Barcelona.

Students take 3 core courses (10 SCQF each) and select 3 optional courses (10 SCQF each).

Core courses:

  • Topics in Semantics and Pragmatics (10 SCQF)
  • The Nature of Language (10 SCQF)
  • Research methods in Analytic Philosophy (10 SCQF)

Optional courses:

  • Debates in Contemporary Theoretical Philosophy (10 SCQF)
  • Philosophical Logic (10 SCQF)
  • Topics in Epistemology (10 SCQF)
  • Philosophy of Mind (10 SCQF)
  • Philosophy of Action (10 SCQF)

OR

Study Track 2B: Knowledge, Metaphysics, and Science, the University of Cologne.

Students take 3 core courses (6 SCQF each) and write one exam paper (12 SCQF) in one of these courses. They will also either take 3 optional course (6 SCQF each) and write one exam paper (12 SCQF), or take 5 optional courses (6 SCQF each).

Core courses:

  • Metaphysics and Epistemology (6 SCQF)
  • Traditions in Epistemology (6 SCQF)
  • Knowledge, Science & Society (6 SCQF)
  • Exam (paper) in one of these courses (12 SCQF)

Optional courses

  • Applied Epistemology (6 SCQF)
  • Epistemology of Journalism (6 SCQF)
  • Philosophy of Social Sciences (6 SCQF)
  • Introduction to Formal Epistemology (6 SCQF)
  • Recent issues in Epistemology (6 SCQF)
  • Current Debates in Social Epistemology (6 SCQF)
  • Research Colloquia on Epistemology and Philosophy of Science (6 SCQF)
  • Exam in one of these courses/modules (12 SCQF)

Year 2

Semester 3, 60 SCQF

Study Track 3A: Knowledge in the European Context, the University of Luxembourg.

Students take 1 core course (10 SCQF) and select 5 optional courses (10 SCQF each).

Core courses:

  • Contemporary European Philosophy II: Normativity (10 SCQF)
  • Contemporary European Philosophy I: knowledge (10 SCQF)
  • MA Colloquium (10 SCQF)
  • The Philosophy and Ethics of AI (10 SCQF)
  • Rationalism (10 SCQF)
  • Empiricism (10 SCQF)
  • Kant (10 SCQF)
  • Internship (10SCQF)

Optional courses:

  • Contemporary European Philosophy I: knowledge (10 SCQF)
  • MA Colloquium (10 SCQF)
  • The Philosophy and Ethics of AI (10 SCQF)
  • Rationalism (10 SCQF)
  • Empiricism (10 SCQF)
  • Kant (10 SCQF)
  • Internship (10SCQF)

OR

Study Track 3B: Knowledge, Morality, and Politics, Free University Amsterdam.

Students take 2 core courses (12 SCQF each) and select 3 optional courses (12 SCQF each).

Core courses:

  • Knowledge in a Social World (12 SCQF)
  • Research Project: Social Epistemology (12 SCQF)

Optional courses:

  • Moral and Political philosophy (12 SCQF)
  • Neurophilosophy, Ethics of Medical Resarch (12 SCQF)
  • Philosophical Approaches (12 SCQF)
  • Philosophy of Mind, Life and Death (12 SCQF)
  • Philosophy of Mind & Brain (12 SCQF)
  • Neurophilosophy and Psychiatry (12 SCQF)
  • Neuroethics and Society (12 SCQF)
  • Neuroscience (12 SCQF)

Semester 4, 60 SCQF

Students write a dissertation (60 SCQF). They will have a supervisory committee that is constituted as follows: the first supervisor will be from the 3rd semester degree-awarding partner institution (the University of Luxembourg or Free University of Amsterdam) contributing 30 SCQF. The second supervisor will be from the 2nd semester degree-awarding (the University of Barcelona or the University of Cologne) contributing 20 SCQF, and the third supervisor will be from the 1st semester degree-awarding institution (the University of Glasgow) contributing 10 SCQF.

For instance, students who studied at Glasgow in semester 1, at Barcelona in semester 2, and at Amsterdam in semester 3, will have their first supervisor from Amsterdam, their second supervisor from Barcelona, and their third supervisor from Glasgow.

While the constitution of the supervisory committee is fixed, students may choose the location for their dissertation.

Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.

Career prospects

You’ll hone the skills that make philosophy graduates employable while also gaining specialist knowledge in areas relating to knowledge, information, and a range of societal issues. This, along with the increasing degree of marketability knowledge and information has enjoyed in recent years, will equip you for a wide range of jobs in both the public and private sectors.

You will be well placed to pursue a career in academia. Jobs across the sector relating to topics covered in the programme have been very popular in recent times, with 37.8% of tenure-track jobs in 2020-21 in value theory (ethics, social, political and law).

This degree can also open the door to a career as a policy analyst with a focus on information, such as research policy and information analysis or information security analysis. In addition, you will be well positioned for a variety of paths in the civil service fast stream, including government operational research, government social research, and digital, data, and technology.

You may want to consider a career in journalism. Philosophy graduates often make excellent candidates in this area, having developed exceptional written and general communication skills, along with an ability to think deeply about biases, points of view, and sources of information. Knowledge and Society graduates are particularly well suited for this career due to the depth of their knowledge in relevant areas.

Further career opportunities exist in consulting, especially for organisations dealing with the generation and dissemination of knowledge and information. Our graduates are well prepared for careers as knowledge management consultants and information strategy consultants, among others.

Fees & funding

Tuition fees for 2025-26

IntM

Fees for the 2 year programme:

International:  

  • £19,000 per annum

Home:

  • £9,650 per annum 

EU/EEA:

  • £11,920 per annum

The EU/EEA fee value reflects the difference in fee status at the EU partners in the programme consortium.

The fees listed here cover tuition only. The University of Glasgow can only collect fees in Pound Sterling at the published GBP values and subject to exchange rates at the time of payment. As the programme contains various mobility periods, students (funded and self-funded) will need to cover their own airfares between each chosen partner.

Deposits

All applicants are required to pay a deposit of £2000 when an offer is made.

Deposits: terms & conditions

This programme requires some students to pay a deposit to secure their place.

If you are an international student, we will only issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) once the deposit has been paid.

Your offer letter will state:

  • how to pay the deposit payment
  • the deadline for paying the deposit

The following guidelines will apply in determining whether a deposit will be refunded. Where the deposit is refunded, a 25% handling fee will be deducted.

Deposits will be refunded to applicants under the following circumstances:

  1. Where the University is unable to offer you a place.
  2. Where the applicant has personal circumstances such as illness, bereavement or other family situations that has prevented them coming to the UK. Medical or other proof may be requested.
  3. Applicant can prove that they have applied for a visa to attend the University of Glasgow, but the VISA has been refused. The applicant must have shown 'real intent' to study at the University of Glasgow but has been unable to obtain their visa.
  4. Applicant does not meet his / her conditions of offer: this may be academic or language test requirements. Satisfactory evidence must be uploaded to the student’s applicant self-service to prove that they have not met the conditions of their offer (note that applicants who do not meet the language condition of their offer must show reasonable attempt to meet this, i.e. they must provide a language test which was taken after the date that the deposit was paid).

Deposits will not be refunded to applicants under the following circumstances:

  1. Applicant has decided to defer – in this situation the University will retain the deposit and credit it against the applicant’s account for securing their place for the following year of entry.

Refund requests must be made within 30 days of the programme start date stated on your offer letter.

Requests made after this date will be subject to discretion.


Additional fees

  • Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
  • Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
  • Registration/exam only fee: £170

Funding opportunities

Alumni Discount

In response to the current unprecedented economic climate, the University is offering a 20% discount on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni, commencing study in Academic session 2025/26. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad programme, International Summer School programme or the Erasmus Programme at the University of Glasgow. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. This discount can be awarded alongside most University scholarships.

Global Leadership Scholarship

The University of Glasgow has several Global Leadership Scholarships available to International fee students starting a postgraduate taught Masters programme in any discipline for Academic Session 2025/2026. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fees discount.

Glasgow Excellence Award (UK)

The University of Glasgow has a total of 40 Glasgow Excellence Scholarships available to UK students entering any of the University’s Colleges.

HESPAL Scholarship

The University has worked in partnership with the British Council in a scheme to provide Higher Education Scholarships for Palestinians (HESPAL), for the past decade.

Through the HESPAL scheme, we have been able to offer fee waivers to students from the Palestinian Territories, enhancing educational opportunities for deserving individuals.

Considering the current challenges and the significant obstacles faced by individuals impacted by the conflict in leaving the area, the University of Glasgow extends their support in the academic year 2025/2026 to offer up to 3 postgraduate taught scholarships and up to 2 postgraduate research scholarships.

This scholarship is offered as a full fee discount.

The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database

Entry requirements

2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in Analytic Philosophy.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)

  • 7.0 overall with no subtest less than 7.0
  • IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Common equivalent English language qualifications accepted for entry to this programme

TOEFL (ibt, my best or athome)

  • 100 overall with Reading 24; Listening 24; Speaking 23; Writing 27
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements, this includes TOEFL mybest.

Pearsons PTE Academic

  • 66 overall with no subtest less than Reading 68; Listening 66; Speaking 65; Writing 82
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

  • 185 overall, no subtest less than 185
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Oxford English Test

  • 8 overall with no subtest less than 8
  • ests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

LanguageCert Academic SELT

  • 75 overall with no subtest less than 75
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Password Skills Plus

  • 7.0 overall with no subtest less than 7.0
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Trinity College Tests

  • Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEIII Pass with Pass in all sub-tests
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

Alternatives to English Language qualification

  • Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
    • students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
  • Undergraduate 2+2 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
    • students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:

  • direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
  • essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
  • flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.

For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:

We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:

  • Heriot Watt
  • Kingston Upon Thames
  • Middlesex University
  • Manchester University
  • Reading University
  • Edinburgh University
  • ST Andrews University
  • UCL
  • Durham

 

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form

International students

We are proud of our diverse University community which attracts students and staff from over 140 different countries.

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.

Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.

Documents

As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:

  • A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
  • A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
  • Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
  • One reference letter on headed paper
  • Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)
  • Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
  • A copy of the photo page of your passport (Non-EU students only)

You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.

You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.

For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, see how to apply for a postgraduate taught degree

Guidance notes for using the online application

These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form. 

If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application, see Application System Help.

  • Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
  • Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
  • Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
  • Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
  • Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
  • English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
  • Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.

Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.

Application deadlines

  • to be confirmed

Related programmes

Philosophy

Related links

Students chatting at the quadrangle

Postgraduate events

2 students studying in the James McCune Smith building

Keep in touch