Mathematics with Philosophy (Placement Year)

UCAS code: GV16

Here's what Lancaster University says about its Mathematics with Philosophy (Placement Year) course.

Mathematics is an incredibly powerful subject that sits at the foundation of all science and technology. And, as a Mathematician, you will learn how to see the beauty of maths in everything; from patterns in nature to geometry in buildings. It will develop your skills in logic, critical thinking and quantitative reasoning. Similarly, Philosophy emphasises logic and critical thinking, while also asking questions about human existence, truth and knowledge, right and wrong, and more. Together, these disciplines develop your approach to constructing arguments, examining and proving theories, and developing persuasive reasons and positions - essential skills in today’s complex and globally connected world.

What to expect Our four-year BSc Mathematics with Philosophy (Placement Year) degree begins by building your understanding of mathematical methods and concepts through a mix of lectures and workshops. You will explore a wide range of topics, from multivariable calculus, probability and statistics, to logic, proofs and theorems. Our philosophy modules are taught by academics from the Philosophy team, meaning you benefit from the expertise of two academic communities. Here, you will learn about key themes in philosophy, consciously drawing on a broad range of philosophical traditions to do so, from experts in Analytic, Continental Indian, Chinese, and feminist thought.

In Year 2, as well as deepening your mathematical knowledge in analysis, algebra, probability and statistics, you will start to expand your understanding of philosophy through guided philosophical study, and optional topics such as the philosophy of science, metaethics, and 19th century analytic philosophy.

As you progress into Year 4, you can choose modules that further appeal to your interests, enabling you to delve deeper and gain the specialist skills and knowledge needed to guide you towards a specific career pathway. This could be in areas such as cryptography, graph theory, abstract algebra, moral, political, and legal aspects of philosophy.

Your placement In Year 3, you will undertake a placement that will enable you to apply the knowledge and skills learnt so far and gain invaluable experience that will then inform your studies in Year 4 and your career beyond.

Although it’s up to you to find your placement, we will support you all the way. Our Careers Service will provide guidance on CVs, applications, interview techniques and creating a digital profile.

Personal development You will develop valuable transferable skills such as data analysis, problem-solving and quantitative reasoning, complemented by the ability to reason and think clearly about the most fundamental questions of human existence. These skills are honed by working in collaboration with fellow students, ruminating on theories and testing them out, delivering presentations and communicating your research results and as a result, make you highly desirable to future employers. With a year’s experience added to your CV, you will be a standout graduate.

3 things our mathematics students want you to know:

• Mathematics with philosophy is a great way to keep your career options open. Applying reasoning and logic to any problem is a sought-after skill in any career, and the learning at Lancaster University is directly related to real-world applications

• Maths is beautiful. You will see it for yourself. Once you begin learning, you start to see maths everywhere in life, all around us in nature and architecture, and that makes it easier to imagine the future possibilities

• Mathematical sciences at Lancaster are incredibly collaborative. You will bounce ideas around with experts, or with students from all years.

Important Information For the most up-to-date course information and more details, we recommend that you revisit our website before submitting your application.