Philosophy of Physics MSt

<strong>The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2025). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.</strong> <br/><br/>The MSt in Philosophy of Physics is a taught course covering philosophy of physics, science, and a core elective, with topics like quantum mechanics, relativity, and space-time, assessed through essays and supported by lectures and supervisions.<br/><br/>The course 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. <br/><br/>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. <br/><br/>In completing the course, it is expected that you will have:<br/><br/><br/>- 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;<br/><br/><br/>- studied these subjects through supervisions with an expert supervisor and via classes convened by an expert or experts in the relevant field;<br/><br/><br/>- been examined on your chosen areas by a requirement to write four essays;<br/><br/><br/>- 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<br/><br/><br/>- been a member of a college graduate community, associating with graduates from many countries, cultures, and academic disciplines.<br/><br/><br/>Course structure<br/>This course consists of two core subjects (Philosophy of Physics, and Philosophy of Science) and one elective subject. Tuition is offered in the form of supervisions, lectures and classes. <br/><br/>In addition to your core and elective subjects, you may also attend any undergraduate and graduate classes, seminars and lectures in and outside of the Faculty of Philosophy which are of interest to you, provided those classes, seminars and lectures are open to you.<br/><br/>Each term many graduate classes and research seminars are organised by faculty members in which graduate students are full and important participants. Specifically, MSt in Philosophy of Physics students become part of Oxford’s thriving academic community in philosophy of physics. Termly seminars, lectures, and classes in philosophy of physics take place and some of these involve visiting speakers. There are also occasional workshops and conferences in philosophy of physics organised by members and graduate students in the faculty, and informal networks of study.<br/><br/>Graduate students are also encouraged to organise their own seminars and reading groups, and they also run two societies: one invites distinguished speakers from the UK and around the world, while another gives graduates the opportunity to present papers to a graduate audience.<br/><br/>Each year there is an Oxford Graduate Philosophy Conference, in which most graduate philosophy students participate in some way.