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MA Philosophy of Mind and Embodied Cognition

MA (NFQ Level 9)
Sustainable Development Goals

This course is available through the following application route(s)

Duration:
1 Year
Attendance:
Full Time
Delivery:
On Campus
NFQ Level:
9 (90 credits)
Level:
Graduate Taught
Award:
Master of Arts
Next Intake:
September
Country Specific Entry Requirements:
Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.
Other School Leaving Requirements:
See www.ucd.ie/admissions
Curricular information is subject to change.

Duration:
2 Years
Attendance:
Part-Time
Delivery:
On Campus
NFQ Level:
9 (90 credits)
Level:
Graduate Taught
Award:
Master of Arts
Next Intake:
September
Country Specific Entry Requirements:
Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.
Other School Leaving Requirements:
See www.ucd.ie/admissions
Curricular information is subject to change.

Apply Now

The MA in Philosophy of Mind and Embodied Cognition draws upon the research interests of a stellar faculty of philosophers,  psychologists and cognitive scientists at UCD. It brings together expertise from the phenomenological and analytic traditions in philosophy alongside empirical approaches to the study of the mind and brain to offer a unique taught Masters course on this much-discussed and important topic.

This unique Masters course examines the intersection of philosophy, phenomenology and the cognitive sciences to explore the profound relationship between mind, body and world. By examining the role of the body in shaping perception, emotions and attention, students gain a deeper understanding of the mind and its place in the natural world. The programme offers small group seminars with the opportunity to engage in philosophical debates to enhance critical thinking and presentation skills.

About This Course

  • Key outcomes include preparing students for academic careers, honing research skills, and fostering the ability to present and defend philosophical ideas effectively.
  • Students have the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of modules that blend analytic and phenomenological traditions with contemporary scientific research, including up to three modules from UCD’s interdisciplinary Cognitive Science programme.

The programme teaches a broad range of transferable skills that are applicable to a wide range of careers. These include problem-solving, analysing and synthesising scientific literature, clear and concise writing, conceptual analysis, and ethical reasoning.

In addition to a number of our graduates going on to further academic research opportunities, some recent roles they have progressed to include Ethical AI Consultant, journalists, poets and writers, civil servants and the corporate world

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PHIL40970 Topics in Philosophy of Mind and Cognition Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PHIL40030 Dissertation Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students should select a total of 50 credits (note: up to 3 modules may be taken from the Cognitive Science Options below).
 PHIL31030 Philosophy of Perception and the Senses Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students should select a total of 50 credits (note: up to 3 modules may be taken from the Cognitive Science Options below).
 PHIL40250 Merleau-Ponty's Phenomenology of Perception Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students should select a total of 50 credits (note: up to 3 modules may be taken from the Cognitive Science Options below).
 PHIL40410 Philosophy & Literature Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students should select a total of 50 credits (note: up to 3 modules may be taken from the Cognitive Science Options below).
 PHIL41240 John Henry Newman - Philosophical Perspectives Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students should select a total of 50 credits (note: up to 3 modules may be taken from the Cognitive Science Options below).
 PHIL41280 Feminist & Gender Theory Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students should select a total of 50 credits (note: up to 3 modules may be taken from the Cognitive Science Options below).
 PHIL41320 Topics in Continental Philos Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students should select a total of 50 credits (note: up to 3 modules may be taken from the Cognitive Science Options below).
 PHIL41510 Ethics in Public Life Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students should select a total of 50 credits (note: up to 3 modules may be taken from the Cognitive Science Options below).
 PHIL41890 Authenticity and Implicit Attitudes Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students should select a total of 50 credits (note: up to 3 modules may be taken from the Cognitive Science Options below).
 PHIL41950 Philosophy of Religion Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students should select a total of 50 credits (note: up to 3 modules may be taken from the Cognitive Science Options below).
 PHIL40980 Guided Reading Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students should select a total of 50 credits (note: up to 3 modules may be taken from the Cognitive Science Options below).
 PHIL40990 Guided Reading Autumn and Spring (separate)  2.5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students should select a total of 50 credits (note: up to 3 modules may be taken from the Cognitive Science Options below).
 PHIL41530 Reading and Research Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate)  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students should select a total of 50 credits (note: up to 3 modules may be taken from the Cognitive Science Options below).
 PHIL40420 The Good Society Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students should select a total of 50 credits (note: up to 3 modules may be taken from the Cognitive Science Options below).
 PHIL40960 The Cultural Mind Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students should select a total of 50 credits (note: up to 3 modules may be taken from the Cognitive Science Options below).
 PHIL41350 Metaphysics (Level 4) Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students should select a total of 50 credits (note: up to 3 modules may be taken from the Cognitive Science Options below).
 PHIL41810 Critique, Destruction & Deconstruction Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students should select a total of 50 credits (note: up to 3 modules may be taken from the Cognitive Science Options below).
 PHIL41880 Reading Nietzsche Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students should select a total of 50 credits (note: up to 3 modules may be taken from the Cognitive Science Options below).
 PHIL41920 Love & Friendship in Early Modern Philosophy Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 20CR:
Students should select a total of 50 credits (note: up to 3 modules may be taken from the Cognitive Science Options below).
 PHIL41960 Environmental Ethics Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Students may take up to 3 options in this group in conjunction with one or both Guided Reading modules above to make up the required number of credits.
 COMP40250 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology Autumn  7.5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Students may take up to 3 options in this group in conjunction with one or both Guided Reading modules above to make up the required number of credits.
 COMP47230 Introduction to Cognitive Scie Autumn  7.5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Students may take up to 3 options in this group in conjunction with one or both Guided Reading modules above to make up the required number of credits.
 PSY40820 Fundamentals of Neuropsych Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Students may take up to 3 options in this group in conjunction with one or both Guided Reading modules above to make up the required number of credits.
 COMP20330 Functional Programming II Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Students may take up to 3 options in this group in conjunction with one or both Guided Reading modules above to make up the required number of credits.
 COMP40260 Connectionism and Dynamical Systems Spring  7.5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Students may take up to 3 options in this group in conjunction with one or both Guided Reading modules above to make up the required number of credits.
 COMP40280 Embodiment and Enactive approaches to Cognitive Science Spring  7.5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Students may take up to 3 options in this group in conjunction with one or both Guided Reading modules above to make up the required number of credits.
 COMP47980 Generative AI: Language Models Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0CR:
Students may take up to 3 options in this group in conjunction with one or both Guided Reading modules above to make up the required number of credits.
 SOC41130 AI and Society Spring  10

UCD is strongly committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), embedding sustainability in teaching, research, operations, and community engagement. Sustainability principles are integrated into this programme, ensuring students graduate equipped to address global challenges. UCD’s leadership in this area is internationally recognised, ranking 49th globally and 1st in Ireland in the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2024. UCD also leads impactful research in areas such as climate action, clean energy, and social equity, supported by a comprehensive Sustainability Strategy focused on reducing emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and fostering a sustainable campus culture.

Here are the SDGs which align more visibly with this programme:

 

SDG4 SDG5 SDG10 SDG 16

MA Philosophy of Mind and Embodied Cognition (W595) Full Time
nonEU    fee per year - € 22600

MA Philosophy of Mind and Embodied Cognition (W596) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 5710
nonEU    fee per year - € 11300

***Fees are subject to change
  • Non EU fees (FT) €22,600 
  • Non EU fees (PT) €11,300

 

  • EU Fees (FT) €10,100
  • EU Fees (PT) €5,460

*fees are subject to change 

You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No


This programme is intended for students with a primary degree in Philosophy, or in another degree that has significant philosophical components; an upper second class honours, or international equivalent is required.

• Candidates with an upper second class honours in a postgraduate conversion course such as a Higher Diploma in Philosophy may be considered. MA students may be required to attend an interview either via Zoom or in person.

• Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MA Philosophy of Mind and Embodied Cognition:

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W595
MA Philosophy of Mind and Embodied Cognition
Master of Arts

Full-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Apply
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W596
MA Philosophy of Mind and Embodied Cognition
Master of Arts

Part-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsApply
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