Philosophy of Mind & Embodied Cognition

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.

Stage 1 Core Modules

PHIL40970 Topics in Philosophy of Mind and Cognition Autumn 10

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

PHIL40250 Merleau-Ponty's Phenomenology of Perception Autumn 10

PHIL40410 Philosophy & Literature Autumn 10

PHIL41240 John Henry Newman - Philosophical Perspectives Autumn 10

PHIL41280 Feminist & Gender Theory Autumn 10

PHIL41320 Topics in Continental Philos Autumn 10

PHIL41510 Ethics in Public Life Autumn 10

PHIL41890 Authenticity and Implicit Attitudes Autumn 10

PHIL41950 Philosophy of Religion Autumn 10

PHIL40980 Guided Reading Autumn and Spring (separate) 5

PHIL40990 Guided Reading Autumn and Spring (separate) 2.5

PHIL41530 Reading and Research Autumn & Spring & Summer(separate) 10

PHIL40420 The Good Society Spring 10

PHIL40960 The Cultural Mind Spring 10

PHIL41350 Metaphysics (Level 4) Spring 10

PHIL41810 Critique, Destruction & Deconstruction Spring 10

PHIL41880 Reading Nietzsche Spring 10

PHIL41920 Love & Friendship in Early Modern Philosophy Spring 10

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

COMP47230 Introduction to Cognitive Scie Autumn 7.5

PSY40820 Fundamentals of Neuropsych Autumn 10

COMP20330 Functional Programming II Spring 5

COMP40260 Connectionism and Dynamical Systems Spring 7.5

COMP40280 Embodiment and Enactive approaches to Cognitive Science Spring 7.5

COMP47980 Generative AI: Language Models Spring 5

SOC41130 AI and Society Spring 10

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.



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.

https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/

Apply online



Who Should Apply?

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

1 year full-time

2 years part-time

W595 MA Philosophy of Mind and Embodied Cognition

Master of Arts Full-Time

Commencing September 2026



W596 MA Philosophy of Mind and Embodied Cognition

Master of Arts Part-Time

Commencing September 2026

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