Applications are now open for the September 2025 intake of the MSc in
Origins of Mind: Evolutionary and Developmental Perspectives at the
University of St Andrews.
This one-year programme is particularly suited to students with a
background in Animal Behaviour, Psychology, Biology, or related fields
who are looking to branch out into comparative and developmental
research. Students will explore how minds emerge and change,
from early development to evolutionary timescales, and across a wide
range of species.
The course brings together perspectives from comparative and
developmental psychology, as well as evolutionary theory. Students gain a
solid foundation in research design and statistical analysis and have
the opportunity to get involved in hands-on research.
Past projects have involved species such as dogs, primates, rats, and
humans, using a range of methods and settings — including labs, zoos,
schools, and field sites both in the UK and abroad.
Teaching is delivered through a mix of lectures, seminars, and
workshops, with a strong emphasis on critical thinking and
cross-disciplinary discussion. As a small, focused programme, it offers a
close-knit and collaborative learning environment. Students become
active members of our research community, working closely with the
Origins of Mind research group and other experts from the School of
Psychology & Neuroscience.
Past students have gone on to PhDs in comparative psychology, animal
cognition, and behavioural ecology, as well as roles in conservation,
research, and education.
Find out more on our website: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/psychology/evolutionary-psychology-msc/
Or get in touch with the programme coordinator (Dr Manon Schweinfurth, ms397@st-andrews.ac.uk), if you’d like to talk about whether the programme is right for you.