Philosophy (Conversion) MSc

This Masters is designed for students who don't already have a degree in Analytic Philosophy. It will provide you with an in-depth knowledge of analytic philosophy, including such core areas as metaphysics, ethics, social and political philosophy, the history of philosophy, philosophy of the mind and philosophy of mathematics and language. If you so wish, this Masters can provide you with a fast-track route into a PhD in Philosophy.
- Academic contact: jennifer.corns@glasgow.ac.uk
- Teaching start: September
- Glasgow: Gilmorehill campus
- MSc: 12 months full-time; 24 months part‑time
Why this programme

- If you want to do a PhD in Philosophy but don't already have a Philosophy degree, then the MSc (Conversion) will allow you to apply straight away for the PhD.
- MSc (Conversion) students will be embedded in a vibrant philosophical research community. Glasgow hosts the interdisciplinary Centre for the Study of Perceptual Experience bringing together philosophers and scientists to work on the nature of the mind. The Centre has philosophy specialists not only in perceptual experience but also virtual reality, emotions and hedonics.
- Philosophy is also home to one of the largest and most active epistemology research communities in the world, the COGITO Epistemology Research Centre. COGITO brings together specialists in contemporary epistemology, as well as at the intersection of epistemology with philosophy of language and mind, ethics, political philosophy and philosophy of gender and race.
- We also host the Forum for Quine and the History of Analytic Philosophy, which builds on our local expertise and research links with other UK universities.
- Philosophy at the University has an illustrious history of original thinkers going against the grain of orthodoxy. Its past professors include such giants of empiricism as Adam Smith and Thomas Reid.
Programme structure
The programme consists of a choice of four semester-length courses across a range of philosophical topics, all driven by the cutting-edge research of our professors and lecturers. There is also a 12,000–15,000-word dissertation to be completed on a topic of your choice, supported by an expert supervisor over the summer, as well as a year-long core course offering training in philosophical research methods. Optional courses may vary slightly from year to year.
The Philosophy MSc has three components:
1. Introduction to Analytic Philosophy A and Introduction to Analytic Philosophy B (20 credits each, 40 credits in total)
2. A choice of four of the following courses (20 credits each):
- Contemporary Ethics
- Epistemology
- Formal Logic
- History Of Modern Philosophy 1
- History Of Moral And Political Philosophy
- Mind and Knowledge in the Scottish Enlightenment
- Liberalism
- Metaphysics
- Moral Philosophy
- Philosophy Of Art
- Philosophy Of Language
- Philosophy Of Mind
- Political Philosophy
- Reading Seminar (Semester 2)
- Philosophy Of Perception
- Gender and Race
- Philosophy of Law
- Causation
- Consciousness: Brains, Artificial Intelligence, and Subjective Experience
- Inquiry, Science, and Democracy: The Philosophy of Susan Stebbing
- Dreams PGT
- Distributive Justice (PGT)
3. A dissertation on a topic of your choice guided by individual support from an expert supervisor (60 credits).
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
Philosophy students at Glasgow receive rigorous and personalised training in problem solving skills, writing skills, presentation and research skills. All these skills are widely applicable and recognised to be exceptionally valuable in a wide range of careers, including journalism, teaching, the Civil Service, local government, business, publishing, law, and the arts.
You will also be well equipped to carry onto a further degree in philosophy such as the PhD.
Fees & funding
Tuition fees for 2025-26
MSc
UK
- Full-time fee: £11250
- Part-time fee: £1250 per 20 credits
International & EU
- Full-time fee: £25320
Deposits
International and EU applicants are required to pay a deposit of £2000 when an offer is made.
Deposits: terms & conditions
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
Beatrix Whistler and James McNeill Whistler Scholarship
GREAT Scholarships 2025
The Snowdon Trust Master’s Scholarship
Banco de Mexico
Erasmus+ Master Degree Loans
DAAD-University of Glasgow 1-year Master’s grant
Colfuturo Fundacion para el Futuro de Colombia
Commonwealth Scholarship Schemes
Chevening Scholarship
CONICyT (La Comsion Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica de Chile)
University of Glasgow African Excellence Award
CONACyT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia) / FUNED Agreement
World Changers Glasgow Scholarship
University of Glasgow Caribbean Excellence Award
Postgraduate Student Loan (Scotland and EU)
Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loans England only (PTFL)
Postgraduate Loans for Welsh Students
Alumni Discount
Postgraduate Access Scholarship
Global Leadership Scholarship
Glasgow Excellence Award (UK)
HESPAL Scholarship
Postgraduate Student Loan (NI)
World Changers Glasgow Scholarship PGT (EU)
The Clan Gregor Society Prize
The Dima Alhaj Scholarship
Sanctuary Scholarships
Travel Bursary for Forced Migrants
Glasgow Highland Society Scholarship
The scholarships above are relevant to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database
Entry requirements
2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in any subject.
We may sometimes accept degrees at 2.2 Hons or non-UK equivalent.
English language requirements
International students
We are proud of our diverse University community that includes students and staff from more than 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
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
September 2025
International & EU applicants
Due to demand for degree places on this programme, the University has an application process with application rounds which recognises that different geographical areas complete and submit their applications at different times of the year. This process aims to ensure fairness and equity to applicants from all geographic regions.
Round 1 application dates: 1 October 2024 to 4 November 2024
All international applications submitted within these dates will be reviewed with no priority given to any geographic region. You will receive our decision on your application by 15 January 2025.
Round 2 application dates:5 November 2024 to 16 December 2024
All international applications submitted within these dates will be reviewed with no priority given to any geographic region. You will receive our decision on your application by 10 March 2025.
Round 3 application dates: 17 December 2024 to 3 February 2025
Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 14 April 2025.
Round 4 application dates: 4 February 2025 to 24 March 2025
Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 5 May 2025.
Round 5 application dates: 25 March 2025 to 12 May 2025
Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 16 June 2025.
Round 6 application dates: 13 May 2025 to 7 July 2025
Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 28 July 2025.
All international applications submitted by 16 December 2024 will be reviewed and processed normally with no priority given to any geographic region. From 17 December 2024, priority will be given to applications from geographic areas which have been unable to submit applications before that point.
As we receive a great number of applications, prospective students are only allowed to apply once per year.
UK applicants
- 22 August 2025