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MSt - Master of Studies
University of Oxford
Full Time
OCT-25
9 months
Select a course option
MSt - Master of Studies
University of Oxford
Full Time
OCT-25
9 months
Select a an exam type
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.
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.
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.
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.
Students living in
Domestic
£17,900 per year
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)
£41,250 per year
Students from EU
The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.
£41,250 per year
Students from International
The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.