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Top 100 in the world for Psychology
Ranked 87th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by subject 2026 and 82nd in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2026.
Top 10 in the UK for Psychology
Guardian University Guide 2025
Fully online programme
Learn from world-leading experts
Entry requirements
We are looking for graduates with a 2:1 or above in their first degree in any subject. Applications from candidates who have relevant professional or practical experience will also be considered.
Entry requirements for international students
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course.
The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2.
Course content
Please note that programme structures may be subject to change. The modules listed here are indicative. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on your point of entry, staff availability and research interests, new topics of study and student demand.
The MSc programme has been developed for those interested in branching out into the psychedelic sphere or want to continue their studies in psychedelics research. We have a global reputation as leaders in psychedelic healthcare and you will be taught by academics at the forefront of research.
It offers a combination of knowledge and understanding of key theories and approaches in psychedelics involving both science (medicine, psychological therapy, neuroscience and research methods) and philosophy (ethics, metaphysics and cultural contexts). The MSc includes a research project and thesis. Please see the PGCert Psychedelics: Mind, Medicine and Culture if you would like to study the modules without conducting a research project.
Some key aspects that the course will cover are: the clinical potential of psychedelic experiences; the interaction of psychedelics with various psychotherapeutic approaches; the neural correlates of altered states of consciousness; metaphysical and ethical dimensions of psychedelic practices; the war on drugs and cognitive liberty; anthropological studies of diverse cultural practices; the influence of power, cultural diversity, and medicalisation on the research field; the emergence of psychedelic spiritualities; and phenomenological dynamics of the experience.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
180 credits of compulsory modules. The modules are offered on a carousel model where you may join the programme at one of three points each year.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Introduction to Statistics | 15 | |
| Research Methods and Conceptual Issues in Psychology | 15 | |
| Psychedelics: Therapeutic Practice and the Metaphysics of Mind | 30 | |
| Psychedelics: Neuroscience and Cultural Ethics | 30 | |
| Project Psychedelic | 60 | |
| The History and Anthropology of Psychedelic Use | 15 | |
| Clinical Considerations in Psychedelic Use | 15 | |
PSYM221Z: Introduction to Statistics
This module will give you training on a variety of different statistical techniques commonly used in research conducted by psychologists. As such, it provides core skills required for interpreting psychology research and conducting the research project that you will complete as part of your Masters. The aim is to provide you with knowledge of commonly used tests such as analysis of variance (ANOVA) and linear regression. The module discusses conceptual issues and provides experience of using statistical software for carrying out such analyses in the practical exercises accompanying the taught content. Whilst basic mathematical skills are required, the module does not assume Mathematics A level or degree level experience.
The central objective of this module is to provide you with the skills to carry out statistical analyses in psychological domains, analyse relevant datasets using the statistical software to carry out between and within-subjects ANOVA and multiple linear regression, and interpret the results, allowing you to then report your findings using relevant reporting conventions. These skills will assist you in your Research Project.
PSYM222Z: Research Methods and Conceptual Issues in Psychology
This module will provide you with basic skills necessary to understand and conduct research in psychology. You will gain an understanding of the main scientific research methods, both quantitative and qualitative, their advantages and disadvantages, and areas of application. This will help you to integrate ideas and findings across the multiple perspectives in psychology and recognize distinctive psychological approaches to relevant issues. You'll get first-hand experience of participating in psychological research, learning the principles of sound data collection, gaining a critical understanding of the role of experimental design, the choice of research methods employed, and the analytic approach taken, for testing psychological theories. You will in the process acquire skills in writing (scientific) reports. Finally, you will gain an understanding of ethical issues related to conducting research in psychology.
The aim of this module is to introduce you to important issues such as:
PSYM235Z: Psychedelics: Therapeutic Practice and the Metaphysics of Mind
Note: This module is of 10 weeks' duration and will be offered in any of Terms 1, 2 or 3.
This module will introduce you to the practical and theoretical sides of contemporary psychedelic research from leading researchers in the field. The past decade has seen a steep increase in the number of trials using psychedelic substances for therapy. You will learn how such therapy is carried out and developed, from ketamine for addiction to 5-MeO-DMT for depression. You will also learn about the long and recent history of such practices in a variety of cultures to gain a rich understand of the cultural and spiritual context of psychedelic therapies. Recent studies suggest that an essential mechanism for such psychedelic therapy to work may be the induction of metaphysical experience. You will therefore learn what metaphysics is, and how it relates to understanding the mind in its relation to such psychedelic experiences.
This is an online course, with asynchronous and synchronous (live) activities. It is an academic rather than practical qualification. Pre-requisites include a 2:1 or above in any discipline.
PSYM236Z: Psychedelics: Neuroscience and Cultural Ethics
Note: This module is of 10 weeks' duration and will be offered in any of Terms 1, 2 or 3.
You will be introduced to the innumerable recent neuroscientific studies tracing the myriad effects that psychedelic substances have upon the brain thereby informing potential therapeutic use as well as providing glimpses into the relations between brain and consciousness. Science does not operate in isolation, but rather within a global network of cultures and peoples, the interaction of which brings up ethical issues relating to psychedelic use. You will gain an enlarged comprehension of such issues by studying the ethics of decolonization, laws, patents, ecology, feminism, notions of cognitive liberty, stigma, nihilism, alienation, and meaning amongst other pressing ethical issues pertaining to the present psychedelic renewal.
This is an online course, with asynchronous and synchronous (live) activities. It is an academic rather than practical qualification. Pre-requisites include a 2:1 or above in any discipline.
PSYM239Z: Project Psychedelic
Note: This module is of 20 weeks’ duration, 10 weeks each term in two of Terms 1, 2 and 3.
This dissertation/project module offers you the opportunity to explore in depth a topic that you have found to be of particular interest. You will be expected to work with certain independence on this project, albeit with supervision, to display proficient research and communication skills, which, at the highest level, could produce an output suitable for academic audiences. As this course is situated in a relatively new discipline, you will here find a chance to enrich your discourse with novel perspectives, or to deepen your knowledge in prior subfields.
You will work individually or, in certain circumstances, in a small group (roughly 2–4, engaged in the same piece of research), depending on the nature of the project. All students in each group will write and submit an individual final report.
PSYM246Z: The History and Anthropology of Psychedelic Use
Note: This module is of 10 weeks' duration and will be offered in any of Terms 1, 2 or 3.
This module introduces you to aspects of the psychedelic humanities through historical and anthropological approaches. You will explore a range of qualitative approaches, contrasting them with the quantitative approaches of the sciences. Case studies from the literature - such as Romantic era drug use and ayahuasca use amongst the Shipibo - will widen your field of knowledge concerning the use of psychedelic substances in cultures distant in space or time, situating contemporary interest in psychedelics in a wider historical and cultural perspective. You will be able to assess the relative merits of these approaches from the humanities to the study of psychedelics. This module aims:
PSYM247Z: Clinical Considerations in Psychedelic Use
Note: This module is of 10 weeks' duration and will be offered in any of Terms 1, 2 or 3.
This module will provide a deep dive into the research exploring the clinical use of psychedelics and equip you with skills to evaluate and develop your own practice. You will explore the three stages of psychedelic therapy, preparation, experience and integration. This module covers wider aspects of psychedelic therapeutic practice and how this may differ from traditional therapeutic practice such as the notion of the inner healer and co-regulation in psychedelic experiences. You will deepen your understanding of the ethical and practical issues that have dogged psychedelic practice for decades and examine emerging solutions to these problems.
I learnt a lot from my cohort. The variety of people – all ages, from all walks of life – brought an invaluable range of perspectives. The ambience created by the lecturers and the whole ‘culture’ of the course facilitated us as a cohort to become much more than just course mates.
We have built a community which now works together to continue furthering this fascinating and important field. This course was the kind of experience that adjusted my trajectory of life. And I cannot – and don’t want to – now imagine being on any different path.
Lina
PGCert Psychedelics: Mind, Medicine and Culture (Online) student
Fees and funding
Fees:
£15,000 in total
Cost
The fee shows the total amount it will cost if you complete the degree if you take the minimum time of two years. If you take longer than two years, for example, because you take one or more breaks between modules, the total fee you pay may increase slightly due to inflation.
Pay as you study
To make it easier to budget, you don’t need to pay the total fee upfront. Instead, you can pay for each module as you are about to start studying it. You can pay for the whole year if you prefer, but the minimum payment is at least the cost of the module(s) you are taking that term. Please note that if your payment has not reached us by the end of week one of a module, you will have to wait until the next term to start.
Find out more about the funding opportunities available to you, including the UK government postgraduate loan scheme.
How to pay
You can pay online using a credit or debit card. We are unable to give you access to your study materials before your payment reaches us so it’s important to have your finances in place and pay when prompted to ensure you can access your studies at the start of each term.
Other costs to consider
As well as your fees, there are some potential additional costs to be aware of to ensure that you give yourself the best chance of success. These include a suitable computer or device to study and work from, an adequate internet connection to access your learning materials and connect with others, and a comfortable place to study.
Teaching and learning
Psychedelics research at Exeter
The programme is led by a group of world-leading experts in psychedelics, covering a wide array of disciplinary orientations. Exeter is at the forefront of psychedelics research.
Professor Celia Morgan is a psychopharmacologist and a leading researcher on psychedelics as a treatment for addiction. Dr Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes is a Philosopher of Mind and Metaphysics who specialises in altered states of consciousness. Dr Andy Letcher is an Ecologist and Religious Studies scholar with expertise in the critical study of neopaganism, shamanism, animism and psychedelic spiritualities. Dr Leor Roseman is an interdisciplinary psychedelic researcher with a background in neuroscience, psychology, phenomenology, anthropology and peacebuilding. Professor Christine Hauskeller is an expert in philosophy of medicine, sociology and the ethics of emerging healthcare technologies and is examining clinical trial methodology in psychedelic research through this lens.
Online study
Online study provides a flexible approach to postgraduate education, enabling you to enhance your career without interrupting it. To make studying as easy as possible, all your learning will be accessed online in our all-encompassing Exeter Learning Environment (ELE) including:
- Teaching materials – as written, recorded, or animated content
- Quizzes to check your learning and understanding
- Videos, podcasts and articles to read
- Access to electronic books
The course is delivered with short, pre-recorded lectures, interviews with leading psychedelic researchers, online written questions and answers, reading material with associated activities, discussion forums, live Q&A with the teachers, live student seminar discussions, and phenomenological self-inquiries. Many world-leading psychedelic researchers and practitioners have contributed guest lectures and interviews to this course.
Supporting you
We are dedicated to making your online education experience as smooth as possible, so that you can achieve your full potential. You will have a dedicated Student Support Advisor who will be your point of contact for advice and guidance and academic support from your module tutor.
Additionally, you will be supported by Wellbeing and Welfare Services, IT and an employability team for career support and advice. For more information, visit our services for online students webpage.
Careers
This course opens doors to a wide array of exciting career opportunities. It will equip you with the knowledge and skillset to help you stand out from the crowd in this rapidly growing sector.
Career support
At the University of Exeter, we have an excellent reputation among recruiters and our students compete very successfully in the job market. The dedicated Career Zone offers careers training, events, advice and mentoring to ensure you have the tools you need to succeed in finding employment in your chosen field. Studying with us not only advances your knowledge but also empowers you for a successful future.
Study a 100% online Psychedelics degree at a Top 15 University*
Apply now for September 2026 entry »
Apply now for January 2027 entry »
* 14th in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.
