MSci Mathematics and Philosophy (GV15)

2025 entry

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Mathematics and Philosophy (GV15)

How to apply
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Course summary

Join a University ranked in the UK top five for Maths research (THE analysis of REF 2021) with an excellent reputation for teaching and learning (UK top ten for Maths, QS World University Rankings by subject 2023).

If you love the challenge of thinking through a maths question and the satisfaction of having solved a difficult problem but also want to think about a broad range of intellectual questions in a rigorous way, this four-year course is for you.

Linked by the formal study of logic, the two components of the course complement each other. You will develop rigorous analysis and argument distinctive of the analytic philosophical tradition while developing mathematical maturity to reason through subtle ideas in abstract mathematics.

There is also the opportunity to use your mathematical knowledge in the study of the philosophy of biology, economics and physics.

The fourth year of the course allows you to explore mathematics and philosophy in depth, taking advantage of our research-inspired, specialist units.

Think Big bursaries of £3,000 are available to support first-year international undergraduate students in this subject area.

Course structure

In your first year, you will take mathematics units in common with all other first-year maths students. You will also take mandatory Introduction to Philosophy units.

From your second year on, you can choose a variety of units in both mathematics and philosophy, such as Number Theory, Quantum Mechanics, Philosophy of Science, and Ethics, besides a few mandatory units that bridge philosophy and mathematics, such as Logic, Set Theory and Philosophy of Mathematics.

Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.

Go to programme catalogue

Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

A*AA including A* in Mathematics
D*DD in either Engineering BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, plus A in Mathematics at A-level (or equivalent), or any Applied General BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, plus A in Mathematics at A-level (or equivalent). Applicants taking Engineering BTEC may be invited to take the University of Bristol mathematics test in place of A-level Mathematics.

Find out more about BTEC entry requirements
38 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 7 at Higher Level in Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations)
34 points overall with 17 at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations)

Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer
88% overall, with 9.0 in Mathematics
Advanced Higher: AA including Mathematics, and Standard Higher: AAAAA
Access to HE Diploma in Engineering, Science, or Computing (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include: at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above; and at least 12 credits at Distinction in Mathematics (including algebra, calculus and trigonometry). plus either A in A-level Mathematics, or achieving the required level in the University of Bristol mathematics test.

More about Access to HE entry requirements
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

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More about UK qualifications.

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