BA/MMath in Mathematics & Philosophy Handbook (2025-26 Entry)

Welcome from the Chair of the Joint Committee for Mathematics and Philosophy

Welcome to Oxford and what we hope is a memorable time studying Mathematics and Philosophy. You may reasonably expect the next three or four years of study to be unlike any others in your lifetime and we hope you make the most of the opportunity that they represent. If embraced, the challenges the study of Mathematics and Philosophy offer will mean a fruitful and enjoyable time at the University and you will be able to look back appreciatively at how far you have progressed in your technical and analytical skills, your presentation and argumentation. 

Oxford only offers joint degrees involving subjects that lend reflection to one another in a beneficial, complementary manner. Logic and Set Theory are obvious examples where this is a natural overlap of mathematical and philosophical interest. You may see this overlap extend into algebra, geometry, analysis, probability, physics and beyond, depending on your choices, and hopefully you will come to more generally appreciate the benefits of studying both disciplines alongside one another. 

A final word on learning at University: a student's attitude is the key component to success. Lecturers and tutors, books and libraries, and of course, fellow students, all have their parts to play, but it is a student's engagement with a degree's challenges that means most. Tutors will be supportive and help address your uncertainties and questions, but for the tutorial system to work well a student needs both to have spent time, effort and reflection identifying and wrestling with problems, and also then needs to discuss their thoughts in tutorials in seeking to take their understanding further. It is in the acts of seeking out questions for yourself and refining your understanding by answering them that you will progress most. 

With that we very much hope you enjoy your time at Oxford, and flourish taking on the challenges it offers. 

Prof. Jochen Koenigsmann
Chair of Joint Committee for Mathematics and Philosophy