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
- 2023
Course type
- Combined Honours
Location
Subject area / School
UCAS code
- GV15
Duration of study
- 3 years / 4 years with international or placement year
Why study Mathematics and Philosophy at Keele University?
Course overview
On this combined honours course in Mathematics and Philosophy you will have the opportunity to explore the core concepts and theories of these two fascinating and deeply connected subjects.
You will consider how mathematics can be applied to various aspects of the world we live in and gain a solid understanding of the fundamentals of this discipline, whilst philosophy poses big questions about right and wrong, human life and the nature of reality.
You will delve into the core areas of mathematics, including calculus, algebra and probability, as well as developing a solid foundation in mathematical methods and techniques so you can apply these principles to the real world.
Throughout the programme, you may also have the opportunity to explore pure mathematics, applied mathematics and statistics. To help develop the skills employers are looking for, you will also learn the programming language Python and understand how mathematics is used in a professional environment. You will also build your problem solving and abstract reasoning skills to a high level.
In Philosophy you will study texts, think about ideas and formulate your own philosophical theories. You will explore central themes – such as moral and political philosophy, logic, epistemology, and the philosophies of mind, religion and science – and will consider key philosophical problems about the nature of the world, the mind and various solutions proposed.
You’ll learn about different philosophical traditions past and present, including Anglo-American, Indian, Buddhist, Greek, French and German philosophy. You’ll enhance your logical and critical thinking skills, and develop the use of sound arguments to defend your views, while detecting fallacies and other argumentative weaknesses.
Enhance your learning
Royal Institute of Philosophy Lecture Series
Hear from guest speakers about their philosophical research and engage in thought-provoking discussions with peers and visitors from other universities. You will have the opportunity to network with professionals and share your knowledge and opinions as well as experience debates on a larger scale to gain a wider insight into different theories and explanations of philosophy. This experience allows you to showcase your skills, and build awareness of new research and take part in demonstrating your critical thinking skills.
Work Placement Opportunities
School of Computer Science and Mathematics
We understand the importance of producing graduates ready for the workplace and employment after university.
Paid or voluntary experience in your area of interest will not only demonstrate your commitment and passion, but will also enable you to make meaningful connections by networking with experts in the field. From spending a year working in industry to paid internships, summer research projects and practical modules in the School of Computer Science and Mathematics; there are many opportunities available throughout our programme to enhance your employability.
Work Placement Year
On this course, you will have the opportunity to opt for a Work Placement Year in either subject between Year 2 and 3. This will allow you to apply your knowledge and practical skills in a relevant workplace environment enabling you to build key skills in communication, teamwork and project management. You will be able to demonstrate your abilities and creative thinking, working with fellow professionals as well as independently.
Our staff will support you in preparing to apply for a work placement that suits your interests and career prospects with advice on CV writing and cover letters, as well as the chance to attend Q&A workshops to discuss individual experiences with alumni and employers. This opportunity is a valuable, character-building experience that will allow you to develop both personally and professionally during your studies and will assist you in your employment after university.
Student Support
To help you meet your academic and personal needs, we offer a multi layered support structure that includes access to an academic mentor and dedicated member of staff from Keele's Student Experience and Support team.
Societies
We have a wealth of student-led societies here at Keele which cover a diverse range of interests. Joining a society related to mathematics or philosophy is a great opportunity to continue to develop your computing, web design or multimedia skills away from your studies. It’s also a great way to meet like-minded people, make friends and share interests with fellow students and can be beneficial when it comes to applying for graduate roles.
Study Abroad
International Year
Enhance your career prospects with an International Year at one of our partner institutions. Choosing this optional opportunity between 2nd and 3rd year can help in your employment search to stand out from the crowd and broaden your horizons, potentially working across the globe. You will develop a new way of understanding the world and gain insight into various perspectives whilst learning in a different environment.
On successful completion of all modules across the year, you will graduate with a degree title ‘Mathematics and Philosophy with International Year’. This can be highly beneficial for your career prospects and through experiencing different cultures; you will not only grow as an individual, but you will also strengthen your knowledge and interests within society. You can find more information here.
Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
As a university we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. This means we aim to create a diverse and inclusive culture in which you can thrive.
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) agenda is embedded throughout our programme, and The School of Computer Science and Mathematics are proud to hold a school-level Athena SWAN Bronze Award in recognition for activities in this area.
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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."
Related courses
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
- BTEC requirements DMM
- You must have taken sufficient Maths units, please contact us for advice
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.
Studying Mathematics at Keele
"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."
Central Science Laboratories
Develop your practical skills in Keele's state-of-the-art Central Science Laboratories
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 Kingdom, European 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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Make yourself more employable after graduation by taking advantage of the whole host of additional opportunities.