MA Philosophy and Mathematics
About this course
MA (Hons) in Philosophy and Mathematics, a mathematics and philosophy degree centred on formal mathematical and philosophical inquiry. Core topics include Data Analysis, Statistics, Mathematical Modelling, Research Methods, and Entrepreneurship. Students complete an independent dissertation on a philosophy topic or a coursework dissertation through two extended essays in final year. The first year covers foundations through logic, morality and value, philosophy of science, Introduction to Mathematics at University, Introduction to Mathematical Analysis, Linear Algebra 1, and Introduction to Data Science. The second year progresses with epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, Linear Algebra 2, and Further Analysis and Several Variable Calculus. Third-year study introduces advanced topics such as topology, algebra, analysis, operational research, differential equations, numerical analysis, probability and measure theory, alongside philosophy courses including beauty and art, cognition and science, and political philosophy. The final year allows specialisation through pure mathematics, applied mathematics, statistics, financial mathematics, mathematical biology, General Topology, Numerical Ordinary Differential Equations and Applications, Stochastic Modelling, and Entrepreneurship in the Mathematical Sciences.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: from A*A*A to A*BB (required: Mathematics at A*) IB: from 36 points with 665 at HL to 34 points with 655 at HL
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 49%: 40 offers from 81 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 6 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 78%
- Assessment and feedback: 58%
- Academic support: 67%
- Organisation and management: 54%
- Learning resources: 72%
- Student voice: 47%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 47 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 53%
- Working and studying: 21%
- Further study: 14%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Finance Professionals: 20%
- Information Technology Professionals: 20%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 65%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 90 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 6%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 43%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 2%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 34%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Modules
- morality and value
- history of philosophy (may include Western and non-Western traditions)
- logic
- philosophy of science
- Introduction to Mathematics at University
- Introduction to Mathematical Analysis
- Linear Algebra 1
- a course from one of the main areas of philosophy
- Introduction to Data Science, where you will learn to collect and explore data, before using models and predictions to make rigorous conclusions
- Fundamentals of Algebra and Calculus, an online, introductory course that provides extra preparation in key topics from advanced high school level mathematics and further supports your transition to university
- epistemology
- metaphysics
- philosophy of language
- philosophy of mind
- Linear Algebra 2
- Further Analysis and Several Variable Calculus
- beauty and art
- language
- cognition and science
- history of philosophy
- knowledge and reality
- morality and value
- political philosophy
- statistics
- topology
- algebra
- analysis
- operational research
- differential equations
- numerical analysis
- probability and measure theory
- an independent dissertation on a philosophy topic of your choice
- a coursework dissertation through two extended essays in philosophy
- pure mathematics
- applied mathematics
- statistics
- operational research
- financial mathematics
- mathematical biology
- mathematical education
- General Topology
- Numerical Ordinary Differential Equations and Applications
- Stochastic Modelling
- Entrepreneurship in the Mathematical Sciences
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MA Philosophy and Mathematics at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £35,000 after 15 months, £27,500 after 3 years, £33,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,000 and £48,000. The £33,000 median after five years is £6,500 less than the UK median for Mathematics.
What do graduates of MA Philosophy and Mathematics at University of Edinburgh do next?
88% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MA Philosophy and Mathematics at University of Edinburgh?
92% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MA Philosophy and Mathematics at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is A*BB at A level, or 36 points in the IB. The average entrant had 199 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MA Philosophy and Mathematics at University of Edinburgh?
49% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 40 offers from 81 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does MA Philosophy and Mathematics at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MA Philosophy and Mathematics at University of Edinburgh?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.