Philosophy and History of Science

Entry requirements

An upper second-class honours degree (or international equivalent) with a minimum average of 65 per cent in a science subject or philosophy (or a subject with a major philosophical component).

Months of entry

September

Course content

We are among the top UK institutions for philosophy and history of science. Our expertise is in a broad range of areas related to the philosophy and history of the specific sciences, including physics, biology, mathematics, logic, medicine and psychology. The latest Philosophical Gourmet Report (2017/18) ranked Bristol as the strongest department in the UK for philosophy of biology, joint strongest for general philosophy of science, and fourth strongest for philosophy of physics.

Our MA draws on these strengths. It is intended both for students who have a first degree in philosophy who wish to specialise in philosophy and history of science at a higher level, and for individuals with a background in pure science who wish to make a transition to philosophy and history of science or to explore foundational issues within the sciences.

The emphasis of the programme is on philosophical issues arising from specific scientific disciplines, with particular focus on physics, biology and mathematics. The history of science is studied in terms of the philosophical debate about the nature of scientific method and knowledge.

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 from Bristol and beyond. There is also a weekly postgraduate seminar, where you may present your own work and learn to develop your argumentative strategies in a supportive environment.