Education |

For more than 60 years, students at the University of Edinburgh have learned about parapsychology, through taught courses as well as through undergraduate and postgraduate research projects. All of these routes provide a balanced and informed approach to parapsychology that is designed to stimulate critical thinking.

loren ipsum

Online

The KPU online parapsychology course was designed and taught by Caroline Watt, from 2008 to 2023. It sought to provide a balanced and scholarly approach to the field, including perspectives of those skeptical about the evidence for the paranormal, as well as psi proponents. Although our online course is currently discontinued, the concepts and approach of the course are represented in the textbook An Introduction to Parapsychology (5th Edition), as well as in Caroline Watt’s book for the general public: Parapsychology – A Beginner’s Guide.

Undergraduate

Students enrolled for Honours psychology degrees at the University of Edinburgh can take an optional honours course on History and Theory of Psychology (course leader: Prof Peter Lamont), which overlaps with parapsychological themes. In addition, psychology students can undertake research projects on parapsychological topics. Further information can be found in the course handbooks here.

Postgraduate

Students can study parapsychology as part of some MSc and PhD degree programmes offered by Edinburgh University’s Department of Psychology (a MSc is a taught postgraduate course that usually precedes the research-based PhD). However opportunities are limited and prospective students must find a supervisor whose research interests overlap with their own. More information can be found here.

Beyond Edinburgh

For further information about parapsychology, we recommend exploring the websites of the Parapsychological Association, and the Society for Psychical Research.

A career in parapsychology?

We receive many enquiries from people wanting to work in parapsychology. In reality, there are few opportunities available and we advise those interested to read Prof Harvey Irwin’s Education in Parapsychology.