MA Philosophy and History of Science

at University of Bristol

We are among the top UK institutions for philosophy of science. Our expertise is in a broad range of areas related to the philosophy and history of the specific sciences, including physics, biology, mathematics, logic, medicine and psychology. The latest Philosophical Gourmet Report ranked Bristol as the strongest department in the UK for philosophy of biology, joint strongest for general philosophy of science, and fourth strongest for philosophy of physics. We regularly host major research grants in philosophy of science. (See our research page.)

MA draws on these strengths. It is intended both for students who have a first degree in philosophy who wish to specialise in philosophy of science at a higher level, and for individuals with a background in pure science who wish to make a transition to philosophy of science or to explore foundational issues within the sciences.

The emphasis of the programme is on philosophical issues arising from specific scientific disciplines, with particular focus on physics, biology and mathematics. The history of science is studied in terms of the philosophical debate about the nature of scientific method and knowledge.

You will be an active member of the department’s flourishing research culture and will be encouraged to attend and participate in regular research seminars, workshops and reading groups, including philosophy of science seminars, featuring well-known scholars (see our events pages). There is also a weekly postgraduate seminar, where you may present your own work and learn to develop your argumentative strategies in a supportive environment.