COMPUTER SCIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY

Postgraduate programme

COMPUTER SCIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY

Offered by UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD

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Programme overview

Why choose this programme?

If you enjoy mathematical problem-solving, would like to learn about computing, but also have wider interests in life and the universe - for example what AI can teach us about ourselves, how it will impact on the world, or how we should react to these huge changes - then this degree might be for you!

Both computer science and philosophy are intellectually exciting and creative, and they have many mutual connections. The course combines analytical and technical knowledge with discursive, writing and research skills, offering the chance to study with top academics from two internationally acclaimed departments.

Theoretical links between computer science and philosophy go right back to Alan Turing’s invention of the digital computer, and practical links have grown hugely in recent years as computer systems increasingly impact on almost every aspect of our lives: social, commercial, educational, even political. Throughout academia and industry, they provide the media of communication and data processing, and increasingly â€" through artificial intelligence â€" solve problems that go beyond our human intellectual capabilities.
Unistats information

Discover Uni course data provides applicants with Unistats statistics about undergraduate life at Oxford for a particular undergraduate course.

Please select 'see course data' to view the full Unistats data for Computer Science and Philosophy.

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Visit the Studying at Oxford section of this page for a more general insight into what studying here is likely to be like.
By studying Computer Science at Oxford, you will open up a world of exciting career opportunities. Computer scientists are in high demand, as global technology continues to advance at pace, and, with the knowledge, skills and experience you will have as a graduate at Oxford, you can expect to be extremely sought after.

In recent years, our graduates have progressed to careers in a wide range of fields that need an understanding of computer systems, what such systems can (and cannot) do, and how to design them.

Graduates fill technical, managerial, academic, financial and commercial posts, both in the UK and abroad, with jobs ranging from senior software engineers, developers and analysts to games programmers, and technical leads.

Modality

ON-CAMPUS: OXFORD

UCAS entry grades

A*AA

UCAS Tariff points

152 points

Entry requirements

- A levels: A*AA including at least an A in Mathematics, with the A* in Mathematics, Further Mathematics or Computer Science. Those taking Further Mathematics A level or AS-level are required to achieve at least Grade A.

- Advanced Highers: AA/AAB with an A in Mathematics

- International Baccalaureate (IB): 39 (including core points) with 766 at HL (the 7 must be in HL Mathematics)

- BTEC: Please visit the Computer Science website for the latest information on our standard offers for students taking BTECs.

- Any other equivalent qualification: View information on other UK qualifications, and international qualifications.

Subject requirements

Essential:

- Candidates are expected to have Mathematics to A level (A* or A grade), Advanced Higher (A grade), Higher Level in the IB (score 7) or another equivalent.

Recommended:

- Further Mathematics A level is highly recommended.* Candidates taking Further Mathematics are required to achieve A*AA including Mathematics and Further Mathematics, with the A* in Mathematics, Further Mathematics or Computer Science.

*If your school offers Further Mathematics A level we expect you to have taken it. Please note from 2022-25, 96% of A-level students who were offered places for Computer Science courses (including joint courses) took Further Mathematics to A-level. Candidates taking Further Mathematics are required to achieve A*AA including Mathematics and Further Mathematics, with the A* in Mathematics, Further Mathematics or Computer Science.

Candidates not taking Further Mathematics are required to achieve A*AA with the A* in Mathematics.

If a practical component forms part of any of your science A‐levels used to meet your offer, we expect you to pass it.

If English is not your first language you may also need to meet our English language requirements.

Dates and duration

Duration: 20 semana

3 years (BA) 4 years (MCompSciPhil).

Career opportunities

Where this programme can take you


By studying Computer Science at Oxford, you will open up a world of exciting career opportunities. Computer scientists are in high demand, as global technology continues to advance at pace, and, with the knowledge, skills and experience you will have as a graduate at Oxford, you can expect to be extremely sought after.

In recent years, our graduates have progressed to careers in a wide range of fields that need an understanding of computer systems, what such systems can (and cannot) do, and how to design them.

Graduates fill technical, managerial, academic, financial and commercial posts, both in the UK and abroad, with jobs ranging from senior software engineers, developers and analysts to games programmers, and technical leads.

SYLLABUS

A typical week

During the first part of the course, a typical week would be made up of around eight lectures, two tutorials and up to two practical sessions.

Tutorials are usually 2-4 students with a tutor. Class sizes may vary depending on the options you choose. There will usually be around 8-15 students though classes for some of the more popular papers may be larger. Lectures can be up to 120 students.

As the course progresses there will be opportunity to undertake project work. There will be a group project in year two, and for those that choose to continue to year four, a large individual project or philosophy thesis.

Throughout your time studying you will learn from leading computer science and philosophy specialists and researchers.

To find out more about how our teaching year is structured, visit our Academic Year page.

Course structure

Computer Science and Philosophy can be studied for three years (BA) or four years, leading to an award of Master of Computer Science and Philosophy (MCompPhil).

Students do not need to choose between the three-year and four-year options when applying to the course. All students apply for the four-year course, and then decide by the end of their third year whether they wish to continue to the fourth year. In order to proceed into the fourth year (part C), students will need to achieve a 2:1 or higher classification at the end of their third year. Year 1

1. Computer Science:

- Design and analysis of algorithms
- Discrete mathematics
- Functional programming
- Introduction to proof systems
- Imperative programming
- Probability

2. Philosophy:

- Alan Turing on computability and intelligence
- General philosophy
- Philosophical topics in logic and probability

Year 2

1. Computer Science core courses (25%):

- Algorithms and data structures
- Group design practical
- Models of computation

2. Computer Science options (25%):

- Current options include:
- Artificial intelligence
- Computer architecture
- Compilers
- Databases
- Logic and proof

3. Philosophy (50%):

- Current options include:
- Early modern Philosophy
- Ethics
- Knowledge and reality
- Philosophy of science
- Philosophy of mind

Year 3

1. Computer Science (25â€"75%):

- Current options include:
- Computer-aided formal verification
- Computational complexity
- Machine learning
- Principals of programming language

2. Philosophy (25â€"75%):

- Current options include:
- Ethics of artificial intelligence
- Philosophical logic
- Philosophy of cognitive science
- Philosophy of mathematics
- Philosophy of logic and language
- Philosophy thesis

Year 4

1. Computer Science:

- Current advanced options include:
- Advanced security
- Computational game theory
- Computational learning theory
- Concurrent algorithms and data structures
- Graph representation learning
- Optional computer science project

2. Philosophy:

- Advanced options in philosophy
- Optional philosophy thesis