MSt in Philosophy of Physics
University of Oxford
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Qualification

MSt - Master of Studies

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Location

University of Oxford

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

OCT-25

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Duration

9 months

Course info

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Qualification

MSt - Master of Studies

Location

University of Oxford

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

OCT-25

Duration

9 months

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Philosophy
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Course info

About the courseThis one-year, full-time taught graduate course offers high quality graduate education in philosophy of physics and aims to provide a foundation on which you can go on to pursue doctoral work in the area. It is likely to be of particular interest for candidates whose background is in physics and/or mathematics, including philosophy graduates with experience in physics and/or mathematics who want to specialise in philosophy of physics.The course presumes an undergraduate-level ...Read more

About the course

This one-year, full-time taught graduate course offers high quality graduate education in philosophy of physics and aims to provide a foundation on which you can go on to pursue doctoral work in the area. It is likely to be of particular interest for candidates whose background is in physics and/or mathematics, including philosophy graduates with experience in physics and/or mathematics who want to specialise in philosophy of physics.

The course presumes an undergraduate-level education in physics. Candidates without such a background who wish to pursue the philosophy of physics for graduate study are encouraged instead to apply for the BPhil. This course is not available in part-time mode of study and is not offered via distance learning. Please note that this course is not a research degree.

Course outcomes

In completing the course, it is expected that you will have.

  • pursued a course requiring a high standard in each of the three examined elements, ie philosophy of physics, philosophy of science and an elective subject;
  • studied these subjects through supervisions with an expert supervisor and via classes convened by an expert or experts in the relevant field;
  • been examined on your chosen areas by a requirement to write four essays of no more than 5,000 words each;
  • had many opportunities to hear and participate in philosophy and philosophy of physics, by attending an annual Graduate Philosophy Conference, talks by invited speakers, philosophy societies and discussion groups, and especially by attending the philosophy of physics research seminars and graduate philosophy of physics discussion classes; and
  • been a member of a college graduate community, associating with graduates from many countries, cultures, and academic disciplines.

The course has no fieldwork, industrial placement or year abroad element, but you may decide to attend conferences, workshops or research training elsewhere.

Assessment

You are examined on the basis of four essays.

The core course in philosophy of physics is examined by two essays, each of no more than 5,000 words, to be written over the Easter vacation, on topics that will be prescribed by the examiners. At most one essay may fall under each of the following subjects.

  • the philosophy of quantum theory
  • the philosophy of space, time and symmetry
  • the philosophy of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics
  • other topics in the philosophy of physics (previous topics have included black hole thermodynamics and the black hole information paradox).

Graduate destinations

MSt in Philosophy of Physics graduates usually progress to the second year of Oxford's BPhil in Philosophy or to doctoral programmes, either at the faculty itself or elsewhere. Some, however, have pursued non-philosophical academic careers, or careers outside academia. The graduate destinations of the eight most recent cohorts of students are available on the MSt alumni webpages.

The faculty aims to assist students and graduates in securing academic jobs. The faculty appoints a Placement Officer who, in conjunction with the Graduate Studies Officer, runs the faculty’s placement scheme. The Placement Officer helps job applicants with the preparation of their CVs, provides advice about the presentation of material in an application dossier, arranges practice interviews and generally attends the Eastern Division meeting of the American Philosophical Association to support candidates who have interviews there.

Key stats

CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
3rd
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
2nd
What students say
SR
Student Reviewer
24 Feb 15

Amazing but such hard work and busy! Personally exhausted!! The course is amazing in they make you learn so much in such depth with some of the best minds in the..Read more

SR
Student Reviewer
24 Feb 15

Amazing experience so far. Great libraries. Love the accommodation-made lots of..Read more

Modules

Module Options
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the equivalent of the following UK qualifications or their equivalent: a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in physics (or a closely-related science discipline) or philosophy with substantial components in physics and/or mathematics. However, entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a first-class degree or the equivalent. Applicants should normally have prior knowledge to (UK) undergraduate level of quantum mechanics, relativity theory, electrodynamics, statistical mechanics and analytic mechanics. They should also have the mathematical background required to study these topics. For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.5 out of 4.0. However, most successful applicants have a GPA of 3.7.

Tuition fees

Students living in

Domestic

£17,900 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Domestic

This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

£41,250 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.

£41,250 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.

IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Philosophy reviews

Philosophy
Philosophy
SR
Student Reviewer
24 Feb 15
Amazing but such hard work and busy! Personally exhausted!! The course is amazing in they make you learn so much in such depth with some of the best minds in the...
Read more
SR
Student Reviewer
24 Feb 15
Amazing experience so far. Great libraries. Love the accommodation-made lots of...
Read more
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Uni info

University of Oxford
University Offices Wellington Square Oxford Oxfordshire OX1 2JD United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Oxford  0.2 miles away

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