Philosophy and Politics

Philosophy and politics is one of the most demanding and intellectually rewarding combinations in the humanities and social sciences, bringing together two disciplines that have been in dialogue since antiquity. Philosophy trains you to reason rigorously about the most fundamental questions: what is real, what can be known, what makes actions right or wrong, and what constitutes justice and legitimate authority. Politics examines how power is exercised and contested in the world, how states and institutions are organised, what ideologies and interests drive political actors, and how policies are made and evaluated.

Together, they give you both the conceptual tools to think clearly about political principles and the empirical and historical knowledge to understand how those principles play out in real political life.

At the University of Edinburgh, this four-year full-time programme reflects Edinburgh's exceptional strength in both disciplines, with highly regarded departments in philosophy and politics and a research environment that spans political theory, moral and political philosophy, comparative politics, and international relations. The four-year Honours structure is standard in Scotland and allows for genuine depth of engagement with both disciplines, with specialist options and dissertation work in the later years. The degree includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to study philosophy and politics in a different country and academic tradition, broadening your intellectual horizons and developing the international perspective that is increasingly relevant in an interconnected political world.

Graduates from Philosophy and Politics at Edinburgh go on to careers in law, the civil service, politics and political research, think tanks, journalism, international organisations, finance and banking, consultancy, and many other fields where analytical rigour and the ability to construct and evaluate complex arguments are valued. Some go on to postgraduate study in philosophy, political theory, international relations, or law. Edinburgh's reputation and the intellectual depth of the programme provide an excellent foundation for ambitious careers in the public, private, and academic spheres.