MSc in History and Theory of Psychology

This truly interdisciplinary programme draws upon expertise in History, Philosophy, Psychology and Science Studies to examine the nature of psychological knowledge and its relationship to science and society. It is the only taught MSc in the UK covering ‘Historical and Conceptual Issues in Psychology’, now recognised by the British Psychological Society as a ‘core area’ of Psychology.

The programme is intended for Psychology graduates interested in this new and growing area, and for graduates of History, Philosophy and Sociology who are interested in the significance of psychological knowledge to their own disciplines. It provides training in methodology appropriate to the discipline concerned and, therefore, a firm basis for further postgraduate (typically PhD) study in any of these disciplines. No prior experience of historical and theoretical issues in Psychology is assumed.

The programme will be taught by world-class researchers in the University of Edinburgh’s departments of History, Philosophy and Psychology, and in its renowned Science Studies Unit and Koestler Parapsychology Unit.

Programme content

All students take the core courses, covering topics that include: Critical Social Psychology; History of Madness; History of Unorthodox Psychology; Mind, Body and Consciousness; and Mind, Language and Embodied Cognition. They also choose from a list of methodology courses in one of the following disciplines: History, Philosophy, Psychology or Science Studies.

In addition to the taught courses, students complete a dissertation on a topic within the area of History and Theory of Psychology, normally involving original research. This will be supervised by one of the academic staff, whose research interests are wide:

More details of the curriculum can be found here.

The current course handbook may be found here.

For further information, contact the Programme Secretary Toni Noble or, to discuss academic matters, contact the Programme Director Peter Lamont.

Application and funding information

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