Philosophy and Linguistics, MA (Hons)

Philosophy has been central to Western intellectual life for over 2,500 years, fostering a deeper understanding of the world and our interactions with it. It equips students with skills for clear, systematic analysis of profound questions, emphasizing argument, critical inquiry, rigorous reasoning, and precise expression. At the University of Edinburgh, with its historic ties—including alumni like Adam Ferguson and Sir William Hamilton—the philosophy department is one of the UK's largest and features high-profile speakers through the Philosophy Society.Linguistics examines how language functions, detailing the creation of meaning via sounds, words, sentences, and conversations. It also explores language's everyday applications, its variations across societies and evolution over time, and how children acquire it. With a strong tradition at Edinburgh and esteemed research faculty, this joint programme provides comprehensive knowledge in both fields, enabling specialization in preferred topics.