MSt in Philosophy of Physics
The MSt in Philosophy of Physics aims to attract students with a strong background in physics at undergraduate level or higher, who wish to learn about philosophy in general and philosophy of physics in particular. This course offers a graduate education in Philosophy of Physics of the highest possible quality, providing a foundation on which candidates can go on to pursue doctoral work in the area.
Oxford is currently the premier centre in the world for Philosophy of Physics, as ranked by the Philosophical Gourmet Report.
The Faculty intends to admit four to five students for this course each year.
For information on how to make an application please see our Admissions Procedure and Entry Requirements page.
Students are required to offer three subjects: Philosophy of Physics, Philosophy of Science, and an elective component chosen from a list of ‘core’ Philosophy subjects (Metaphysics and Theory of Knowledge, Philosophy of Mind and Action, Philosophical Logic and Philosophy of Language, and Philosophy of Mathematics). Assessment is by a total of four essays of up to 5,000 words (two essays are submitted for Philosophy of Physics, and one each for the other two options).
Subject (i) Philosophy of Physics
Philosophy of physics concerns the conceptual analysis of the content and meaning of physical concepts and theories, particularly relating to the fundamental and established theories of quantum mechanics, quantum field theory, statistical thermodynamics, and special and general relativity. If it differs from foundations of physics, it is because its scope includes historically important theories in physics (like Newtonian gravity), and because it engages more deeply with contemporary philosophy. Central problems in the field include the measurement problem of quantum mechanics, relationalism vs absolutism in the philosophy of space and time, and the arrow of time in statistical mechanics.
This subject should be taught via (i) the undergraduate lecture courses in Intermediate and Advanced Philosophy of Physics; (ii) a dedicated graduate class running once per week across the first two terms; and (iii) individual supervisions, across the first two terms.
The philosophy of physics component is examined by two essays of no more than 5,000 words on topics that will be prescribed by the examiners.
Subject (ii) Philosophy of Science
Philosophy of science concerns both scientific method and the philosophical examination of the nature and scope of scientific knowledge, as well as the content of specific sciences, principally physics, but also mathematics, neuroscience, evolutionary biology, and linguistics. As such it overlaps with metaphysics and epistemology, in which it has always played a central role, particularly in the early modern period, and in the history of analytic philosophy. It is taught with special emphasis on this context in philosophy.
This subject is taught via (i) the undergraduate lecture courses in philosophy of science; (ii) individual supervisions; and (iii) a graduate class in philosophy of science, to be held regularly during the second term.
This philosophy of science component is examined by one essay of no more than 5,000 words on a topic of your own choosing (but excluding the topics specifically laid out by the examiners as part of the philosophy of physics component).
Subject (iii) Elective
Students will be required to select one subject from the following list:
- Metaphysics and the Theory of Knowledge;
- Philosophy of Mind and Action;
- Philosophical Logic and the Philosophy of Language;
- Philosophy of Mathematics
Each subject should be taught via (i) undergraduate lecture courses and graduate classes, as available; and (ii) individual supervisions held during the final term.
This subject is examined by one essay of no more than 5,000 words on a topic of your own choosing.
It should be noted that although the official deadline for selecting the elective subject is not until late in the second term of study, in practice candidates will need to decide much sooner in order to attend relevant lectures and classes.
Admission to the MSt in Philosophy of Physics
For information on admissions to the MSt in Philosophy of Physics please check the Admissions Procedure and Entry Requirements page.
Please find answers to frequently asked questions about admissions to the MSt in Philosophy of Physics here.
Other Options for Philosophers of Physics
Students who want to specialise in Philosophy of Physics may also consider our two-year BPhil in Philosophy programme, in which they will be able to submit up to two 5,000-word essays and a 30,000-word thesis in Philosophy of Physics, alongside teaching and assessment in other subjects in practical philosophy and the history of philosophy.
After the MSt in Philosophy of Physics
MSt in Philosophy of Physics students may choose to apply to transfer into the second year of the BPhil in Philosophy. In such cases, the MSt in Philosophy of Physics will de facto act as a conversion course from Physics to Philosophy.
MSt in Philosophy of Physics students who want to transfer to the BPhil in Philosophy will be required to submit a formal application for transfer to the BPhil by Friday of Week 4 of the third term preceding the Michaelmas Term in which they wish to transfer to the BPhil. Approval of the transfer by the Philosophy Faculty’s Graduate Studies Committee shall normally be conditional on achievement of a distinction in the examination for the MSt in Philosophy of Physics. If you achieve lower overall marks, you may be allowed to transfer at the discretion of the Graduate Studies Committee.
MSt in Philosophy of Physics students who have successfully transferred to the second year of the BPhil in Philosophy shall not be awarded an MSt in Philosophy of Physics degree but will in fact be deemed to have completed the first year of the BPhil in Philosophy, and the essays submitted for their MSt examination shall replace the first three essays required of BPhil students in the first year of their studies. In their second year, transferred students will consequently be required to follow the assessment pattern as specified for the BPhil in Philosophy: they will be required to submit one essay of no more than 5,000 words at the end of the first term and a 30,000-word thesis at the end of the third term in their second year of study. For more information on the BPhil in Philosophy, please visit the BPhil in Philosophy page.
As all other BPhil students, these transfer students will be required to give notice of the subject area of each essay, in accordance with the procedures and deadlines specified in the Graduate Student Handbook. When selecting essay subject areas they should ensure that they meet the BPhil in Philosophy assessment distribution requirement. Students transferring from the MSt in Philosophy of Physics will receive dispensation from either the requirement to submit one essay in Group 2, or the requirement to submit one essay in Group 3.
MSt in Philosophy of Physics students who successfully transferred to the second year of the BPhil in Philosophy, may apply for the award of MSt in Philosophy of Physics only if they fail or withdraw from the second year of the BPhil in Philosophy.
MSt in Philosophy of Physics students are eligible to apply for a place to for the Faculty’s DPhil in Philosophy, initially as a Probationary Research Student (“PRS”). Detailed guidance on how to apply for progression to the DPhil will be provided early on in the academic year in a special information session about applying to doctoral programmes here and abroad.
Candidates who achieve a distinction on the MSt in Philosophy of Physics are automatically eligible to progress to the DPhil, provided only that the Philosophy Graduate Studies Committee is satisfied that their proposed thesis topic and outline indicates that they can be adequately supervised by members of the Philosophy Faculty. Candidates who pass the MSt without a distinction can be admitted to the DPhil at the discretion of the Philosophy Graduate Studies Committee.
During their PRS year students who have progressed from the MSt in Philosophy of Physics will be required to satisfy certain formal conditions, which are specified in the Graduate Student Handbook, in order to progress to DPhil status. It is envisaged that a typical student might finish a doctoral thesis within three years of passing the MSt.
Entry Requirements
For a detailed description of the entry requirements for the MSt in Philosophy of Physics, please visit the MSt in Philosophy of Physics page on the central university’s Graduate Admissions webpages.
Open Day
We hold a Graduate Open Day in March each year, for applicants who receive an offer of a place. If your application is successful, you will receive further information about this in due course.
Fees
For the latest information on fees charged by the University, and living costs, please visit the Fees and Funding page.
Funding
Please visit our Graduate Funding page to identify various sources of funding for the Philosophy Faculty’s graduate programmes.
Enquiries
Please read through our applicant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding Admission to our courses.
Philosophy of Physics Seminar
The Philosophy of Physics community at Oxford meets weekly at the Thursday Research Seminar, which hosts guest speakers from inside and outside Oxford. Further details can be found on the Philosophy of Physics Seminar page.
Faculty Members
You can find a list of Faculty postholders as well as other members of the Faculty of Philosophy or a related Faculty with research interests in Philosophy of Physics on our Faculty Members page.
