MSci (Hons) Psychology and Philosophy Integrated Master's degree at Oxford University
MSci (Hons) Psychology and Philosophy at Oxford University. An integrated master's in Psychology and Philosophy at Oxford stretches the standard three-year degree into a four-year programme, giving students an extra year to push their thinking further before graduating with an MSci (Hons) rather…
About this course
MSci (Hons) Psychology and Philosophy is an Integrated Master's degree (MSci (Hons)) at Oxford University, based in Oxford. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Medical sciences graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 80% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £29,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Psychology, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Limited evidence Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 98% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
A typical UK Psychology degree builds from foundations to specialist options and a final project. An indicative structure:
| Stage | Module |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | Introduction to Psychology The field's big questions across cognitive, social and biological psychology. |
| Year 1 | Research Methods & Statistics I Designing studies and analysing data, the BPS-accredited core. |
| Year 1 | Biological Psychology Brain, neurons and behaviour: the biological bases of mind. |
| Year 2 | Cognitive Psychology Memory, attention, language and decision-making. |
| Year 2 | Social & Developmental Psychology How people develop and behave in social context. |
| Year 2 | Research Methods & Statistics II Advanced designs, qualitative methods and statistical software. |
| Year 3 | Specialist options Typically clinical, forensic, health, educational or occupational psychology. |
| Year 3 | Individual Differences & Psychopathology Personality, intelligence and mental-health conditions. |
| Year 3 | Empirical dissertation Your own supervised study, collection, analysis and write-up. |
Typical structure for this subject (indicative). Modules vary by university. Check the provider's course page for the exact curriculum.
Specialisations & pathways
Tip: click a specialisation → current jobs in that area.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
The psychology side of the course covers the discipline's core empirical and methodological foundations, with students able to study specialisations such as Clinical, Cognitive, Forensic, Occupational, Developmental, and Health Psychology, alongside Neuroscience and Research Methods. These options allow students to shape their studies towards areas that genuinely interest them, whether that's understanding how the brain underpins behaviour, exploring mental health and clinical practice, or examining psychology in workplace and legal settings. The philosophy component runs in parallel, addressing questions about mind, knowledge, logic and the assumptions that sit behind psychological theory and method. Because the two subjects are studied together rather than as separate silos, students are expected to move between empirical and conceptual modes of thinking throughout the course, using research methods training to underpin the practical, data-driven side of psychology while philosophy sharpens the analytical and argumentative skills needed to interrogate that evidence. The additional fourth year associated with the MSci typically provides room for more advanced study and a more extended independent research project than would be possible in a three-year degree, giving students the chance to develop real depth in a chosen area before finishing.
Who it's for
This course suits someone who is genuinely curious about both how the mind works and why we believe what we believe about it, someone happy to sit with open questions rather than always wanting a neat empirical answer straight away. It will appeal to students who enjoy reading and constructing arguments as much as designing studies or analysing data, since the degree asks for comfort in both empirical and conceptual thinking rather than a strong preference for one over the other. The tutorial format at Oxford means students should be ready to discuss and defend their ideas in small groups on a regular basis, so a willingness to speak up, be challenged, and revise one's thinking in conversation matters as much as raw academic ability. Given the four-year length, it also suits those who want more time to explore before specialising, perhaps with half an eye on postgraduate study, research, or a career where both scientific literacy and clear reasoning are valued. Most entrants arrive with A-levels or equivalent, typically in the 160–175 UCAS tariff range, but what matters day to day is intellectual stamina and a real interest in the questions the subject raises, since the workload across two demanding disciplines can be intense.
Careers & job market
Nationally, across Psychology courses, 85% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 45% of those in work are in roles classed as highly skilled or continuing into further study, figures that reflect the sector as a whole rather than any promise attached to this specific course. National earnings data (Graduate Outcomes/LEO) for psychology graduates show starting salaries 15 months after graduation ranging from roughly £22,250 to £28,000, dropping slightly after three years to between £19,125 and £27,000, before rising again after five years to between £22,950 and £32,400. These figures vary by role, sector and location, and should be read as a general picture of the graduate labour market rather than a guarantee tied to any particular degree. Nationally, 85% of psychology students continue past their first year, either still enrolled or having completed their studies, which gives a sense of typical progression through the course type. Graduates combining psychology and philosophy often go on to further postgraduate study, research, or careers where analytical reasoning and understanding of human behaviour are both valued, though specific destinations will depend on individual choices and the options taken during the degree.
University & format
The course is delivered full-time over four years at Oxford, a public Russell Group university founded in 1096 with a total student body of 19,791. Teaching quality has been rated Gold in the Office for Students' TEF 2023, and the university is. As a research-intensive institution, Oxford's degrees are nationally recognised, and its Russell Group membership signals a commitment to research-led teaching, which shapes the tutorial-heavy way subjects like this are taught. The course is studied in English and carries the UCAS code CV85.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryEarly equal-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 100% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code CV85). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 15 October 2026, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Sit any admissions test & interview
Courses with the October deadline often need an admissions test (e.g. UCAT, BMAT or a subject test) and interviews, register early and prepare.
- 5Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 6Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at Oxford University →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Psychology graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £29,500 | £25,000 – £33,500 | 20 |
| 3 years after | £38,000 | £29,000 – £52,500 | 135 |
| 5 years after | £39,000 | £34,500 – £58,000 | 15 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Assistant / Graduate roleAssistant psychologist or research · 0–2 yrs
- 2Trainee / PractitionerDoctoral training or applied role · 2–6 yrs
- 3Qualified PsychologistChartered / HCPC-registered · 6–10 yrs
- 4Senior / ConsultantLeading services or research · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Psychology nationally
National figures for Psychology graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Psychology courses at the same study level.
Compared with 758 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Natural and social science professionalsSOC 2020 211 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £44,243
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
- Welfare and housing associate professionalsSOC 2020 322 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,937
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 105; response rate: 60%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Psychology graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Survey scoring and data cleaning
- Literature-search summaries
- Routine report scaffolding
- Standard statistical runs
More human than ever
- Clinical judgement and formulation
- Empathy and the therapeutic relationship
- Designing and interpreting studies
- Ethics with vulnerable people
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Psychology graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- The NHS
- Schools
- Research & consultancies
- Charities
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Psychology graduates.
Psychology GraduateAcademicsPsychology Graduate: ABA Support for AutismAxcis Education RecruitmentPsychology Graduate for SEND school LincolnAspire PeoplePsychology GraduateTradewind RecruitmentPsychology Graduate TA – Special Needs School ExperienceStepintoteachingPsychology Expert Witness Lead: QA & TrainingSomek & AssociatesIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £29,500. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.0 out of 10: NSS 81% · in work or study 90% · continued 98%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Oxford
Psychology across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Oxford
1,622 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Psychology right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to Oxford University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by Oxford University; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Oxford University’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Oxford University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Oxford University
Psychology at other universities
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
Request information about MSci (Hons) Psychology and Philosophy
Prospectus, key dates, entry and funding, free to your inbox.