The information on this page is accurate for students entering the programme from September 2025. For students who entered the programme before September 2025, you can find the details of your programme: BA Philosophy, Psychology and Scientific Thought
Your course
This research-oriented course enables you to develop knowledge and skills in understanding the human mind through an exploration of philosophical, psychological and historical perspectives, integrating both present-day and past perspectives on psychology as an evolving discipline. It showcases the distinctive areas of research strength in Philosophy, Psychology, and History & Philosophy of Science at Leeds. Modules at higher levels will offer the opportunity to engage with current research of academics in each of the Schools.
You’ll combine lecture-based learning of various kinds with seminar discussion and classroom-based learning, developing a broad set of knowledge and skills, whilst exploring the history of thinking about the mind’s operation and the nature of scientific knowledge, especially of psychology as the major natural science relevant to understanding of human cognition.
In each year of the course, you can take optional modules so you can tailor your studies to your interests. These opportunities increase with each level of the course.
The first year combines a selection of core modules in each of the three main areas with an exciting range of optional modules. The core modules introduce you to theories of the mind, alongside introductions to the history of science and especially history of psychology, alongside the study of cognitive psychology. Optional modules provide the opportunity to decide whether to specialise in developmental or social psychology, and in philosophy whether to focus on moral-political philosophy, or on the nature of knowledge and reality Both the core and the optional modules will help you get a sense of which areas of the course you might like to specialise in at the higher levels.
At those higher levels, the programme is designed to provide you with the opportunity to acquire knowledge of and competence in a range of core topics and generic skills in each discipline, and progressively specialise in a disciplinary sub-field (such as history of science, philosophy of science, developmental psychology, social psychology or cognitive psychology).
In the second year you will take core modules in the history of psychiatry and cognitive psychology, as well as a module in research methodology in history & philosophy of science that equips you with valuable research skills, gives you exposure to cutting edge research, and builds a sense of community with others on the course.
In your final year you will put your research skills into practice by taking a research project on a topic of your choice. You will combine this with a choice of a philosophical or historical module on the mind, plus a selection of rotating specialist research modules that showcase the work being done by staff in the School of PRHS and in Psychology. In this way you can build a personalised portfolio of knowledge and competencies in each discipline, according to your intellectual ambitions, needs, and interests.
The programme has an optional international variant, which includes a study abroad year at Level 3, and an industrial variant, which includes a work placement year at Level 3.
This programme is full time and in person. It does not include any distance learning elements.
Your future
You will have the opportunity to gain important transferrable skills at all levels of the programme. This includes the personal skills involved in successfully engaging with learning and assessment activities, development of written and oral communication skills, and organisational skills involved in managing workloads. Your path throug
h the programme will also provide opportunities to develop an awareness of how cultural or historical context influences scholarship in philosophy, psychology and related issues in contemporary society. These skills will help you either transition into an employment environment after leaving us, or into postgraduate studies.
Our world
Throughout the programme you will have the opportunity to develop your awareness and understanding of how debates and ideas concerning the mind apply to the wider world. This is facilitated both by modules on real-world issues, but also more generally in the application of psychological, philosophical and historical ideas to real-world issues in human cognition. By the time you leave us, you will have had the opportunity to gain an informed sensitivity to real-world issues, your positionality with respect to those issues, and your place in the wider world.
(For students entering from September 2025 onwards)
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Candidates must study 120 credits and must pass at least 100 credits, and all pass for progression (PFP) modules, to progress to the next year of the programme.
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPSC1030 | History of Psychology | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | PFP |
| HPSC1046 | Introduction to the History of Science | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| PHIL1005 | The Mind | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | PFP |
| PHIL1109 | How Science Works | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PSYC1632 | Cognitive Psychology | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | PFP |
Candidates will be required to study ONE of the following optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSYC1633 | Developmental Psychology | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | PFP |
| PSYC1634 | Social and Health Psychology | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | PFP |
Candidates will be required to study ONE of the following optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHIL1080 | The Good, The Bad, The Right, The Wrong | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PHIL1090 | Knowledge, Self and Reality | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Candidates will be required to study TWO of the following optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPSC1015 | Magic, Science and Religion | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| HPSC1050 | Darwin, Germs and the Bomb | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| HPSC1080 | History of Modern Medicine | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PHIL1007 | Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| PHIL1015 | Thinking About Race | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PHIL1022 | Philosophy Meets the World | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.
(For students entering from September 2025 onwards)
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Students must study 120 credits in total (a mixture of compulsory and optional or discovery modules). To pass the year they must pass 100 credits including all modules flagged as PFP.
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPSC2120 | Research in History and Philosophy of Science | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| HPSC2400 | History of Psychiatry and Mental Illness | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PSYC2561 | Cognition and Perception | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | PFP |
Candidates will be required to study ONE of the following optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSYC2562 | Social Psychology of People in Context | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | PFP |
| PSYC2563 | Psychology through the Lifespan | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | PFP |
Candidates will be required to study at least 20 credits from the following optional modules. Candidates studying PSYC2563 may only choose modules running in semester 2:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPSC2121 | Contested Solutions: Science and Global Challenges | 20 | Not running in 202627 | |
| PHIL2605 | Why Trust Science? Topics in Philosophy of Science | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PHIL2615 | How Do You Know? Topics in Epistemology | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| PHIL2906 | Do the Right Thing: Topics in Moral Philosophy | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| PHIL2915 | How to Live Together: Topics in Political Philosophy | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PHIL2925 | Reality Check: Topics in Metaphysics | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.
Candidates may study 20 credits of discovery modules or the following optional module:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOAH2020 | Towards the Future: Skills in Context | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
(For students entering from September 2025 onwards)
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Students must study 120 credits. To pass the year they must pass 100 credits including all modules flagged as PFP and at least 20 credits of Psychology modules.
Candidates will be required to study and pass one of the following optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRHS3000 | Independent Research Project in Philosophy, Religion or History of Science | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | PFP |
| PRHS3001 | Integrated Research Project in Philosophy, Religion or History of Science | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | PFP |
| PRHS3700 | External Placement: Beyond the University | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | PFP |
Candidates will be required to study at least 20 credits from the following optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPSC3450 | Mind, Brain & Society | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PHIL3421 | Philosophy of Mind | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Candidates may take PHIL3421 as the 'supporting module' associated with PRHS3001.
Candidates will be required to study at least 20 credits from the following optional Psychology modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSYC3538 | Development of Language and Literacy | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| PSYC3549 | Feminist Social Psychology | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PSYC3556 | Developmental Psychopathology | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| PSYC3559 | Moral Psychology in the Wild: The Science of Good and Evil | 15 | ||
| PSYC3561 | Diverse Perspectives on Psychology | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| PSYC3562 | Coaching Psychology | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
and PSYC3568 Reasoning and Decision Making (subject to change).
Candidates may study up to 40 credits from the list of Philosophy and HPS optional modules.
The following list is indicative as modules are under revision and different modules will be available each year depending on the availability/expertise of teaching staff. There will typically be four optional modules offered per semester:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPSC3113 | History and Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| HPSC3200 | Science Communication: History & Theory | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| PHIL3011 | Philosophy of Language | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PHIL3013 | Bioethics | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PHIL3016 | Philosophy of Work and Play | 20 | Not running in 202627 | |
| PHIL3310 | Philosophy of Sex and Relationships | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PHIL3320 | Philosophy of Biology | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PHIL3700 | Feminist Philosophy | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| PHIL3855 | Philosophical Issues in Technology | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| PHIL3865 | Philosophy of the Social Sciences | 20 | Not running in 202627 | |
| PRHS3300 | Religion and Mental Health | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.
Candidates may study 20 credits of Discovery modules.
Last updated: 22/05/2026 16:41:04
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