Detail from "The Death of Socrates" by Jacques-Louis David, from the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Philosophy and Joint Schools

Philosophy courses can only be studied at undergraduate level at Oxford University in conjunction with other subjects. Initially, with the exception of the Philosophy, Politics and Economics course, this is done on an equal basis across the subject. In subsequent years greater weight can be placed on the study of philosophy, if desired. The college has particular expertise in history of moral philosophy, meta-ethics, logic, metaphysics and epistemology, philosophy of language, philosophy of physics, and philosophy of science.

Key Information

For further information about course duration or subject intake at Merton, please see the corresponding subject pages

Course Listing and Admissions Criteria

Course Listing and Admissions Criteria

Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Course Listing and Admissions Criteria

Mathematics and Philosophy

Course Listing and Admissions Criteria

Philosophy and Modern Languages

Course Listing and Admissions Criteria

Physics and Philosophy

Course Listing and Admissions Criteria

Computer Science and Philosophy


Teaching Team

Joint School Courses

Computer Science and Philosophy

Mathematics and Philosophy

Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

Philosophy and Modern Languages

Physics and Philosophy

A four-year course, leading to a Masters degree in Computer Science and Philosophy. A separate BA qualification in Computer Science and Philosophy is obtained at the end of the third year (and students can opt to leave at this point). The fourth year can be given over entirely to philosophy or entirely to computer science, or a mixture of both.

The required philosophy subjects in the first year are Philosophical Topics in Logic & Probability, General Philosophy, and Alan Turing on Computability and Intelligence. In years two and three, undergraduates study from three to five subjects in philosophy.

A four-year course, leading to a Masters degree in Mathematics and Philosophy. A separate BA qualification in Maths and Philosophy is obtained at the end of the third year (and students can opt to leave at this point). The fourth year can be given over entirely to philosophy or entirely to mathematics, or a mixture of both.

The required philosophy subjects in the first year are Philosophical Topics in Logic & Probability, General Philosophy, and Frege’s Foundations of Arithmetic. In years two and three, candidates study either three or four subjects in philosophy. The only compulsory philosophy subject in years two and three is Philosophy of Mathematics.

A three-year course, leading to a BA degree. In the first year, the philosophy component consists of Introductory Logic, Moral philosophy, and General philosophy. In years two and three, undergraduates can study from two to five subjects in philosophy or can drop philosophy altogether. The only compulsory subject in years two and three for those continuing philosophy is Ethics.

A four-year course, which includes a year abroad (in the third year), leading to a BA degree. In the first year, the compulsory philosophy component consists of Introductory Logic, Moral Philosophy, and General Philosophy. In years two and four, candidates study between three and five philosophy options.

A four-year course leading to a Masters degree in Physics and Philosophy. Students can opt to leave at the end of their third year with a BA qualification instead. The fourth year of studying Physics and Philosophy can be given over entirely to philosophy or entirely to physics, or a mixture of both.

Required philosophy subjects in the first year are Philosophical Topics in Logic & Probability, General Philosophy, and Introductory Philosophy of Physics - an introduction to the philosophy of space and time. In years two and three, Philosophy of Science and Intermediate Philosophy of Physics are required philosophy subjects, the latter concentrating on the philosophy of special relativity and quantum mechanics. Students may study either one or two additional subjects in philosophy. In the fourth year an optional subject is Advanced Philosophy of Physics is available, focusing on contemporary debates.

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Benefits of Studying Philosophy at Merton

The College has two Tutors in Philosophy who teach in different areas of Philosophy, one particularly supporting PPE and the Humanities Joint Schools Subjects, and one principally supporting Philosophy within Joint Schools with Mathematics and with Physics.

Merton's Philosophy students have a strong academic record, and take a wide range of Philosophy options within degrees with Philosophy.

Merton offers generous academic grants and funding for research projects and travel.

The College has a graduate mentor scheme which enables undergraduates of all abilities to seek one-to-one assistance with developing their broader academic skills, e.g. time management, prioritising reading, approaching essays or problem sheets.

There are lots of opportunities for students in different years of their course to work and socialise together. This creates a strong sense of community and means there’s plenty of advice about settling into your degree and making the most of your time here.

All undergraduates are assigned a Director of Studies from the subject’s tutors, who has overall responsibility for oversight and guidance of academic progress.

Philosophy for Beginners

Five introductory philosophy lectures, aimed at students new to philosophy, from the University's Department for Continuing Education

Student Profiles