| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-19 | - |
Program Overview
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 2022).
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 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 to 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.
Think Big bursaries of £3,000 are available to support first-year international undergraduate students in this subject area.
Program Outline
Please note:
It is possible that the information shown for future academic years may change due to developments in the relevant academic field. Optional unit availability varies depending on both staffing, student choice and timetabling constraints.
This section describes which Units you will take in which year of study. It indicates which units are mandatory and where you will be able to choose. The overall pass marks you will need to achieve in order to progress or achieve an award are shown. The full regulations concerning progression and completion are held in the University's Regulations and Code of Practice. Any particular aspects of your programme that are unusual will be highlighted. If any Units are must pass this will be shown below. The linked unit specifications detail any additional requirements.
Year 1 (2024/25 entry cohort)
MATH10015, MATH10012 and MATH10011 are must pass units. For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
| Unit name | Unit code | Credit points | Status | Teaching Block |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analysis | MATH10011 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
| Introduction to Proofs and Group Theory | MATH10010 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
| Linear Algebra | MATH10015 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
| ODEs, Curves and Dynamics | MATH10012 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
| Introduction to Philosophy A | PHIL10005 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
| Introduction to Philosophy B | PHIL10006 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
| Certificate of Higher Education | 120 |
Progression/award requirements
Unit Pass Mark for Undergraduate Programmes:
For details on the weightings for classifying undergraduate degrees, please see the Agreed Weightings, by Faculty, to be applied for the Purposes of Calculating the Final Programme Mark and Degree Classification in Undergraduate Programmes.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
Please refer to the specific progression/award requirements for programmes with a preliminary year of study, the Gateway programmes and International Foundation programmes.
Exit awards
All undergraduate degree programmes allow the opportunity for a student to exit from a programme with a Diploma or Certificate of Higher Education.
Integrated Master's degrees may also allow the opportunity for a student to exit from the programme with an equivalent Bachelor's degree where a student has achieved 360 credit points, of which 90 must be at level 6, and has successfully met any additional criteria as described in the programme specification.
The opportunities for a student to exit from one of the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry with an Award is outlined in the relevant Programme Regulations (which are available as an annex in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes).
Course structure
In your first year, you will take mathematics units in common with all other first-year maths students, for example, linear algebra, topics in calculus and differential equations, analysis and an introduction to the ideas of proof and group theory. In philosophy, you will take mandatory introduction to philosophy units.
In your second year, a unit in realism and normativity is compulsory, leaving much scope to tailor the rest of your year to your own interests. This continues in the third year, which allows you to choose a variety of units in both mathematics and philosophy. You will complete an independent philosophy essay project in your third year.
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-level standard offer
A*AA including A* in Mathematics
A-level contextual offer
AAB including A in Mathematics
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer
BTEC
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 our BTEC entry requirements
International Baccalaureate Diploma
38 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 7 at Higher Level in Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations)
International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer
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
European Baccalaureate
88% overall, with 9.0 in Mathematics
Scottish Qualifications Authority
Advanced Higher: AA including Mathematics, and Standard Higher: AAAAA
Access to HE Diploma
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.
Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.
Welsh Baccalaureate
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.
Cambridge Pre-U
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.
International qualifications
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Search international qualificationsApplicants must also meet these requirements
GCSE profile requirements
No specific subjects required.
Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels
More about UK qualifications.
Selection process
