Part C Mathematics and Philosophy Exam Conventions 2025-26

Let \(M\) denote the average USM for Mathematics papers in Part C. Let \(P\) denote the average of the USMs in Philosophy in Part C. As stipulated  in section Averages of Marks above, for candidates offering option (ii) and (iii), the overall average \(A\) is calculated as follows:

(ii) \(A = (3M + 1 \frac{1}{3} P) / 4 \frac{1}{3}\)
(iii) \(A= (1 \frac{1}{2} M + 2 \frac{2}{3} P)/ 4 \frac{1}{6}\)

The quantities M, P and A are calculated according to the above formulae; the weightings used in the calculations for (ii) and (iii) are those used in a typical year, and have deliberately not been changed despite the reduction in the number of Mathematics papers as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic. After these quantities have been symmetrically rounded to the nearest integer, as stipulated in section Decimal points and rounding of averaged marks in the determination of classification in Part C, classifications are determined by the following inequalities:

(1) No candidate will be given a classification lower than that implied by the weighted average of the USMs for their units  on the scale 70--100 First; 60--69, Upper Second; 50--59 Lower Second; 40--49 Third; 0--39 Fail.

(2)  a candidate who offers combination (ii) whose weighted overall average mark is \(\geqslant\) 67, and

• whose weighted average mark in Mathematics is \(\geqslant\) 70, and
• whose weighted average mark in Philosophy is \(\geqslant\) 60, and
• 1/3 of their marks by weight in Mathematics are \(\geqslant\) 70, e.g. two Mathematics units are \(\geqslant 70\) or a double-unit Mathematics dissertation is \(\geqslant\) 70

will receive a First Class  classification.

(3) a candidate who offers combination (iii) whose weighted overall average mark is \(\geqslant\) 67, and

• whose weighted average mark in Philosophy is \(\geqslant\) 70, and
• whose weighted average mark in Mathematics is \(\geqslant\) 60

will receive a First Class  classification.

The same considerations as in (2) and (3) apply at the Upper Second/Lower Second borderline, i.e.

(4)  a candidate who offers combination (ii) whose weighted overall average mark is \(\geqslant\) 57, and

• whose weighted average mark in Mathematics is \(\geqslant\) 60, and
• whose weighted average mark in Philosophy is \(\geqslant\) 50, and
• 1/3 of their marks by weight in Mathematics are \(\geqslant\) 60, e.g two Mathematics units are \(\geqslant 60\) or a double-unit Mathematics dissertation is \(\geqslant\) 60

will receive an Upper Second Class classification.

(5) a candidate who offers combination (iii) whose weighted overall average mark is \(\geqslant\) 57, and

• whose weighted average mark in Philosophy is \(\geqslant\) 60, and
• whose weighted average mark in Mathematics is \(\geqslant\) 50

will receive an Upper Second Class classification.

(6)  A candidate whose weighted average mark is \(< 50\) and \(\geq 40\) will be awarded a Third Class classification.

(7) A `Pass' will not be awarded for the M.Math.Phil. Candidates whose average USM is \(<\) 40 in Part C may supplicate for an honours B.A. in Mathematics and Philosophy with the classification they received for their performance in Parts A + B.