MA Logic and Philosophy of Mathematics

Programme overview

The Department of Philosophy has exceptional research strength in the fields of logic and the philosophy of mathematics, and very strong links with the School of Mathematics, including a joint position in both departments. It is ranked by the latest Philosophical Gourmet Report (2017/18) as the strongest department in the UK for mathematical logic, the joint second strongest for philosophy of mathematics and the joint third strongest for philosophical logic.

Our MA draws on these strengths and is open to students with first degrees in philosophy (subject to a suitable background in logic) or mathematics. It consists of six taught units, examined by essay, and a 15,000-word dissertation.

As a postgraduate student, you will be an active member of the department’s flourishing research culture. You will be encouraged to attend and participate in both the weekly departmental research seminar and in the Philosophy and History of Science seminar, which often features well-known scholars in the field from Bristol and beyond. There is also a weekly postgraduate seminar, where you may present your own work before your peers and learn to develop your argumentative strategies in a supportive environment.

Careers

Students who complete the MA in Logic and Philosophy of Mathematics have taken up careers as teachers and software developers. A number of graduates from this programme have gone into the IT industry.