4. First Year

4.1 Preliminary Examination in Mathematics & Philosophy

In Mathematics & Philosophy the First Public Examination consists of a five-paper Preliminary Examination sat at the end of the first year. 

The course for the Preliminary Examination comprises five sections, corresponding to the five papers of the examination:

  • Section 1: Mathematics I
  • Section 2: Mathematics II
  • Section 3: Mathematics III (P)
  • Section 4: Philosophical Topics in Logic and Probability
  • Section 5: Introduction to Philosophy

All five sections are compulsory. Sections 1 and 2 are each examined in a 2.5-hour paper, Section 3 in a 2-hour paper, and Sections 4 and 5 in a 3-hour paper. 

Mathematics I, covering mainly Algebra, and Mathematics II, covering mainly Analysis, and Mathematics III(P), covering Introductory Calculus and Probability, are the same or similar to corresponding papers for the Preliminary Examinations in Mathematics. Syllabi are set out in the Mathematics & Philosophy Supplement. 

 Section 4, Philosophical Topics in Logic and Probability, is designed specifically for Prelims in Mathematics & Philosophy, Physics & Philosophy and Computer Science & Philosophy, and the examination includes questions of a more mathematical nature. 

Section 5, Introduction to Philosophy, covers General Philosophy, a topic-based introduction to key topics in epistemology, meta-physics, ethics and philosophy of mind, and Gottlob Frege's Foundations of Arithmetic. 

Details of the syllabuses for Sections 4 and 5 can be found in the Examination Regulations. 

4.2 Important Dates

Below is a summary of important dates in the first year:

Michaelmas Term

Monday 12th October (week 1) - Michaelmas term lectures begin

Friday 4th December (week 8) - Michaelmas term lectures end

Hilary Term

Monday 18th January (week 1) - Hilary term lectures begin

Friday 12th March (week 8) - Hilary term lectures end

Trinity Term

Monday 26th April (week 1) - Trinity term lectures begin

Friday 21st May (week 4) - Mathematics Institute Part B/C Options Fair

Monday 21st June (week 9) - Provisional start date for the examinations