Mathematics and Philosophy

This course brings together two of the most fundamental and widely applicable intellectual skills. Mathematical knowledge and the ability to use it is the most important means of tackling quantifiable problems, while philosophical training enhances the ability to analyse issues, question received assumptions and clearly articulate understanding. The combination provides a powerful background from which to proceed to graduate study in either Mathematics or Philosophy or to pursue diverse careers. Historically, there have been strong links between Mathematics and Philosophy; logic, an important branch of both subjects, provides a natural bridge between the two, as does the philosophy of mathematics.

The degree is constructed in the belief that the parallel study of these related disciplines can significantly enhance your understanding of each.

The Philosophy Faculty is the largest in the UK, and one of the largest in the world, with more than 70 full-time members and admitting around 450 undergraduates annually to read the various degrees involving Philosophy. Many faculty members have a worldwide reputation, and the faculty has the highest research ratings of any philosophy department in the UK. The Philosophy Library is among the best in the country. The large number of undergraduates and graduates reading Philosophy with a variety of other disciplines affords the opportunity to participate in a diverse and lively philosophical community.

The Mathematics Department, since 2013 housed in the Andrew Wiles Building, is also one of the largest and best in the UK and contains within it many world-class research groups. This is reflected in the wide choice of mathematics topics available to you, especially in the fourth year.

M&P Careers

Graduates secure positions in diverse areas such as software development, teaching, research, the public sector, including the civil and diplomatic services, and journalism, both in the UK and abroad. Around 30% of graduates go on to further academic study.

Katherine currently works for the Bodleian Libraries. She found that the logical problem-solving skills and attention to detail she gained from studying mathematics came in useful when tackling new technical challenges in her work and whilst she completed a second master’s. The experience of studying both subjects so intensely, and having to pick up and apply new knowledge quickly, gave her the confidence to work with new subject areas, including legal and medical research libraries.

There are two Mathematics and Philosophy degrees, the three-year BA and the four-year MMathPhil. Decisions regarding continuation to the fourth year do not have to be made until the third year.

The mathematics units in this joint course are all from the single-subject Mathematics course. Accordingly the standard in mathematics for admission to the joint course is the same as for admission to the single-subject Mathematics course.

The compulsory core mathematics for the joint course consists of the pure (as opposed to applied) mathematics from the compulsory core for the single-subject Mathematics course. The philosophy units for the Mathematics and Philosophy course are mostly shared with the other joint courses with Philosophy.

In the first year all parts of the course are compulsory. In the second and third years some subjects are compulsory, consisting of core mathematics and philosophy and bridge papers on philosophy of mathematics and on foundations (logic and set theory), but you also choose options. In the fourth year there are no compulsory subjects, and you can do all Mathematics, all Philosophy, or a combination of the two.

A typical weekly timetable

• Years 1 and 2: up to ten lectures a week, two–three tutorials a week
• Years 3 and 4: up to eight lectures a week. Equivalent of eight units taken each year. Weekly tutorials per Philosophy subject. Fortnightly classes per Mathematics unit

The content and format of this course may change in some circumstances. 

• Attestat o Srednam Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education) would not be sufficient for candidates to make a competitive application. If your qualification is listed as being insufficient to make a competitive application to Oxford, then you will need to undertake further study if you wish to apply.You could take British A-levels (the British Council may know where you can take A-levels in your country), the International Baccalaureate (IB), or any other qualifications listed as acceptable on this page. The first year of a bachelor's degree from another university could also be an acceptable alternative.
• IELTS: overall score of 7.0 (with at least 7.0 in each of the four components)
• TOEFL (paper-based): overall score of 600 with a Test of Written English score of 5.5
• TOEFL (internet-based): overall score of 110 with component scores of at least: Listening 22, Reading 24, Speaking 25, and Writing 24.
• Cambridge English: Advanced, also known as the Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): grade A if taken before January 2015, or a score of at least 185.
• Cambridge English: Proficiency, also known as the Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): grade B if taken before January 2015, or a score of at least 185.
• English Language GCSE, or O-level: grade B (for IGCSE, please see below)
• International Baccalaureate Standard Level (SL): score of 5 in English (as Language A or B)
• European Baccalaureate: score of 70% in English.

Hill Foundation Scholarship

Russian nationals wishing to study for a second undergraduate degree. 

Palgrave Brown Scholarship

Students must be ordinarily resident in and/or educated in the following countries:

Albania; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Belarus; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bulgaria; Croatia; Czech Republic; Estonia; Georgia; Hungary; Kazakhstan; Kyrgyz Rep.; Latvia; Lithuania; Macedonia;  Moldova; Montenegro; Poland; Romania; Russia; Serbia; Slovakia; Slovenia; Tajikistan; Turkmenistan; Ukraine; Uzbekistan.