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BSc (Hons) Mathematics and Philosophy

The cross-section of rationale and belief

Year of entry: 2025/26

UCAS code

GV15

Institution code

Y50

Length

3 years full-time (plus optional placement year)

Typical offer

AAB (full entry requirements)

Start date

September 2025 (semester dates)

UK (home) fees

£9,250 per year

International and EU fees

£25,800 per year

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For thousands of years, maths and philosophy have occupied the same ground.

From Pythagoras to Bertrand Russell, both disciplines developed in their own ways, but remained naturally related to each other. Our contemporary maths and philosophy degree applies that marriage of logic and analytical reasoning to solve quantifiable problems, to question traditional assumptions and to develop clear and articulate understandings of complex issues.

Tutorial system

Our comprehensive tutorial system will support you throughout your degree

Course content

University maths is about studying patterns in numbers, geometry and many other abstract concepts. It's also about applying those concepts in practical problem-solving.

Philosophy is not a body of knowledge, but an activity: the activity of seeking a reflective understanding of ourselves and of the natural and social worlds we inhabit. Your maths and philosophy degree will reflect that body of knowledge and range of thinking.

Study abroad

There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:

Placements

There are opportunities to spend time in industry as part of this course.

Year 1

You'll establish your base with introductory maths and philosophy classes during your first year.

Mathematics modules

Philosophy modules

Academic integrity module

In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.

Year 2

After establishing your basic mathematics, you'll take more advanced courses. 

Core modules:

Option modules:

You will study two option modules, one per semester. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.

These will help you to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills that you'll use in more specialised investigations in your third year. 

Year 3

In your final year, you can choose to take an Extended Independent Project in Maths or Long Dissertation in Philosophy. Alternatively you can take a Short Dissertation in Philosophy.

Core modules

Option modules

You will study three or four option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.

Mathematics
Philosophy

Elective modules

You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.

Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.

Learning by design

Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.

Students who complete this course will be able to:

  • Use logical reasoning to build arguments, and to critically analyse statements, arguments, or conjectures made by others, justifying the principles chosen for such a critique.
  • Analyse and solve problems for which techniques including calculus, algebra, and formal logic, were developed.
  • Investigate unfamiliar problems in mathematics by adapting and/or synthesising a range of mathematical approaches (including abstraction or numerical approximation).
  • Make a measured judgement about what is the best view on a particular problem and present a sustained line of argument in defence of this judgement based on careful consideration of what can be said for and against the proposed solutions.
  • Critically engage in ongoing scholarly and philosophical debate concerning mathematical truth, knowledge and our use of mathematics in science and modern life.
  • Gain research skills in an area of mathematical or philosophical specialisation.
  • Work effectively, imaginatively, and productively as a thinker and learner.
  • Communicate complex and difficult mathematical and philosophical ideas in clear, precise, and accessible terms in a variety of formats.

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees

UK (home) International and EU
£9,250 £25,800

Fees for students starting in the 2025/26 academic year.

UK (home) or international fees?

The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Fees for subsequent years

  • UK (home) fees may increase within the government fee cap in subsequent academic years. We will notify you of any increase as soon as we can.
  • International fees are subject to increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).

More information

For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.

Funding

We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.

Living costs

You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.

Teaching Excellence Framework Gold Award

Gold-standard education

Our teaching, learning and student experience is outstanding, recognised by a Gold rating from the Office for Students in the 2023 national assessment (Teaching Excellence Framework).

Why we’re gold-rated

Teaching and assessment

You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.

Teaching format

Lectures and seminars are the main mode of teaching in both Mathematics and Philosophy modules. We support these with small group tutorials in the first year and regular assessments throughout the degree. In addition, all modules are supported by online resources available via Moodle, our Virtual Learning Environment.

In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.

Teaching location

You will be based in the departments of Mathematics and Philosophy, both of which are on Campus West. Teaching will take place at various locations across Campus West.

About our campus

Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.

Assessment and feedback

The majority of your maths modules are assessed through examinations. Philosophy modules are assessed mostly through examination and essays.

  • The mix of examinations and essays in philosophy depends on which optional modules you take.
  • Your optional final-year mathematics project is up to you, with advice from your project supervisor. Don't be afraid to be creative. 

Careers and skills

Our maths and philosophy course not only provides technical and problem-solving skills sought-after by employers, but also the ability to construct a coherent argument and defend it.

Career opportunities

  • Banking and financial services
  • Charities
  • Computing and IT
  • Government
  • Law
  • Media and creative
  • Public administration

Transferable skills

  • Communication
  • Critical thinking
  • Analytical processes
  • Argument construction

Entry requirements

Typical offer
A levels

AAB including A in Mathematics

Cambridge Pre-U D3, D3, M2, including D3 in Mathematics
European Baccalaureate 80% overall, with 85% in Mathematics.
International Baccalaureate 35 points overall, including 6 in Mathematics at Higher Level (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations)
T levels We are currently not accepting T Levels for this course unless an additional A Level (or equivalent qualification) in Mathematics has been taken.
Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers Advanced Highers - B in Mathematics plus Scottish Highers - BBBB

We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications.
Other international qualifications Equivalent qualifications from your country

Alternative offers

Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.

Criteria Adjustment
Widening participation If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. More about widening participation.
Contextual offers ABB including grade A in Mathematics.
More about contextual offers.
EPQ We recognise the value of this qualification although it will not be included as a condition of entry. It may be taken into consideration when you receive your results.

English language

If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:

Minimum requirement
IELTS (Academic) 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
Cambridge CEFR 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component
Oxford ELLT 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component
Oxford Test of English Advanced 136, with a minimum of 126 in each component
Duolingo Integrated subscores: 120 overall, with a minimum of 105 in each component
GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) Grade C / Grade 4
LanguageCert SELT B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
LanguageCert Academic B2 Communicator with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
Kaplan Test of English Language 478 Main Flight score with 444 in each component
Skills for English B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component
PTE Academic 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component
TOEFL 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component
Trinity ISE III Merit in all components
Other English language qualifications We also accept other English Language qualifications, including various school-leaving certificates.

For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.

If you haven't met our English language requirements

You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.

The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.

After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.

Applying

To apply to York, you will need to complete an online application via UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).

All applications must be made through UCAS. Those who receive an offer are invited to visit between January and April.

Next steps

Contact us

Get in touch if you have any questions

Dr Ben Powell, Dr Graeme Wilkin and Heather Cork

Learn more

Department of Mathematics, Department of Philosophy

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