Course summary

The Department of Philosophy has exceptional research strength in philosophy of physics, and very strong links with the University's School of Physics. The latest Philosophical Gourmet Report ranked Bristol as the fourth strongest department in the UK for Philosophy of Physics and the joint strongest for General Philosophy of Science. The department is home to the Centre for Science and Philosophy and regularly hosts major research projects in philosophy of science. This MA draws on these outstanding research strengths. It is intended both for students who wish to specialise in philosophy of physics at a higher level, and for individuals with a background in physics or mathematics who wish to make a transition to philosophy and foundations of physics. The MA is an exciting programme consisting of taught components in philosophy and physics, as well as a dissertation which is an opportunity to work on an extended and original piece of research on a topic of your choosing, with guidance from a research supervisor. As a postgraduate student, you will be an active member of the department's flourishing research culture. You will be encouraged to take part in the weekly departmental research seminar and the specialised philosophy of science seminars, often featuring 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.