Mathematics and Philosophy - BSc (Hons)

Mathematics and Philosophy combines two thought-provoking subjects that seek answers to big questions. You will engage with a carefully crafted curriculum that explores how mathematics plays a part in our everyday lives, from modelling fluid flows, to interpreting medical trials. Together with Philosophy, you will build analytical skills whilst investigating philosophical theories from around the world.

Year of entry

Course type

  • Combined Honours

UCAS code

  • GV15

Duration of study

  • 3 years / 4 years with international or placement year

Why study Mathematics and Philosophy at Keele University?

Top 10 in England for Mathematics (National Student Survey, 2021)
Graduate with broad range of transferable skills to succeed in a variety of careers
Discover new ideas, debate big questions with your lecturers and peers, and better appreciate the views of others
Research-led teaching, providing insight into new and traditional topics, developing your analytical skills
Apply for an International Year at a partner university across the globe and discover diverse cultures
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"The lecturers at Keele are an incredible group of people who all clearly take great delight in both teaching and continuing to research their chosen fields."

Matthew, Mathematics and Philosophy

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Additional opportunities

There are a range of additional opportunities available when studying this course.
Please note, undertaking one may impact upon the availability of another.

Entry requirements

The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don’t see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications. If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.

Additional information

A Level requirements

  • ACC - BBC 
  • To include A level Maths no lower than grade B

GCSE requirements

  • Maths at C (or 4) 
  • English at C (or 4)

BTEC

International Baccalaureate

  • 29 points to include Higher Level Mathematics at 6 or above

Access to HE Diploma requirements

  • Obtain Access to Higher Education Diploma with 112 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction, to include sufficient Maths units, please contact us for advice

English Language Requirements

All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from .

Alternative and contextual offers

We're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. That's why we operate a range of alternative offer schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying within the Keele region, and recognising a range of additional qualifications in your offer.

General information

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.

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Studying Mathematics at Keele

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"The lecturers at Keele are open and communicative with students, which creates an excellent environment for discussion and allows each individual to develop their own ideas on many philosophical problems."

Elena, Mathematics and Philosophy

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Central Science Laboratories

Develop your practical skills in Keele's state-of-the-art Central Science Laboratories

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Foundation year

Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, providing a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree, and with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete your Foundation Year.

This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, give you a better understanding of higher education and, perhaps most importantly of all, build your confidence.

Keele University is consistently ranked among the top universities for student satisfaction, and we have over 70 years' experience of teaching a foundation year to students. On the Keele Foundation Year, you'll study on campus, joining our undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support that you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele.

The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants. Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab.

The information within this section is for students wishing to start their studies in September. If you would like to start this course in January, please visit our January pages for further details.

Course content

Our Foundation Year allows you to develop your critical thinking, academic reading, writing, and communication study skills along with subject-specific knowledge and skills which will be invaluable in your academic studies and beyond. Upon meeting the progression criteria and successfully completing our Foundation Year, you will automatically progress into your Keele undergraduate degree with the confidence that you have the skills, and knowledge needed to successfully complete your course.

The Keele Foundation Year is a two semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the BSc (Hons) Mathematics and Philosophy degree.  For example, the Foundations of Humanities 1 module introduces you to the broad range of source material across the Humanities disciplines - from media to history which enables us to analyse political, social or economic perspectives and attitudes to individuals, marginal groups and 'mainstream' society. Meanwhile, the Foundations of Mathematical Methods module will develop your understanding of the fundamental mathematical techniques and methods used across a wide range of applied mathematics, as well as in other areas of pure mathematics. Course content has been developed in collaboration with degree teaching teams, so that by the time you begin Year 1, you will be ready to excel at your studies, as the majority of our Foundation Year students do. 

Find out more about the Keele Foundation Year, including information about teaching and assessment methods by visiting the Foundation Year homepage

Course structure

The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

Semester one modules

FYO-00187 Academic Skills for Computer Scientists and Mathematicians 15 credits
FYO-00263 Foundations in Humanities 1 15 credits
FYO-00217 Foundations of Mathematical Methods 30 credits

Semester two modules

FYO-00229 Advancing Mathematical Methods 30 credits
FYO-00271 University Research Portfolio 30 credits

Entry requirements

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate’s application. Read more about our undergraduate entry requirements for United KingdomEuropean Union and International students.

  • Between 40-56 UCAS points from at least 1 A level/level 3 qualification or equivalent, or
  • Relevant work experience

AND

  • GCSE English Language at grade 4 (C), or Level 2 Functional Skills, or
  • IELTS 5.5 (with 5.5 in all subtests)

AND

  • GCSE Mathematics at grade 4 (C) or above 

How to apply 

Students will need to apply for BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Foundation Year (UCAS code G101) through UCAS at www.ucas.com. You will be contacted to confirm your second subject by a member of our team. 

Direct entry students

If you already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please contact the Admissions Office directly.

The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants. Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab.

We also offer a January start for some of our Foundation Year courses. Adopting a blended learning approach, the January start is particularly useful for students wishing to return to education following time out of studying, or who are seeking a flexible approach to their Foundation Year studies. Our January start is available across most of our Science, Humanities, Social Science and Business courses.

Whilst still being a full-time course, our blended delivery model combines live teaching sessions - both online and on-campus - with self-directed study, enabling you to predominantly study at a time that suits your lifestyle. You will benefit from weekly online taught sessions which encourage you to engage with your teachers and peers.

In addition to online study there will be a series of full study days that you will be required to attend throughout each semester. These sessions may include lab-based activities, group work, review of course and assessment materials studied online. They will emphasise opportunities for you to deepen your knowledge and understanding of your chosen route.

Please refer to the September start tab for more information about the entry requirements and what you will study. The modules that you will take on a January start Foundation Year will be similar to those for the September start, but in a slightly different order and pattern.

For more information, including fees, the UCAS code for this course, how to apply, and how you will be taught, please visit our January Start Foundation Year webpage.

Our International Foundation Year is delivered on campus through Keele University International College (KUIC). Find out more about the International Foundation Year options on the KUIC website.

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Discover the Keele difference

Everything’s on your doorstep at Keele, and you’ll soon feel at home and make friends wherever you go.

We help students manage their money and ensure that they receive any funding for which they may be eligible.

Make yourself more employable after graduation by taking advantage of the whole host of additional opportunities.