A joint honours mathematics and philosophy degree in central London. Mathematics graduates are popular amongst employers. We offer an extremely wide choice of philosophy modules with particular teaching strengths in philosophy of mind, science and ancient philosophy.
KEY BENEFITS
Mathematics:
- Central location gives easy access to major libraries and many leading societies, including the London Mathematical Society.
- Leading centre of research, with 65 per cent of the department’s research classed as world leading or internationally excellent.
- Wide choice of modules taught by renowned experts.
- Friendly and supportive learning environment.
- Improved career prospects – King’s graduates are highly sought after both nationally and internationally in a wide range of professions.
Philosophy:
- One of the largest and most distinguished philosophy departments in the country.
- The Department is ranked in the top six nationally for world-leading and internationally excellent research (Research Assessment Exercise 2008).
- We receive consistently high scores in the National Student Survey, with 91% of students registering overall satisfaction with their course for two years running (NSS 2010 & 2011)
- King's offers an exceptionally wide range of optional courses, covering all areas of the history of philosophy and contemporary philosophy.
- Emphasis on small-group teaching ensures students acquire and hone the skills of critical thinking.
UCAS code
GV15
Programme type
Joint honours
Duration
Three years
Location
Strand Campus
Year of entry 2013
Offered by
School of Arts and Humanities
Department of Mathematics
Department of Philosophy
Closing date
Please refer to the
UCAS website for application deadline dates, or contact the relevant Admissions Office for further advice
Fees & funding
For information on fees and funding for undergraduate programmes at King's go to
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ug/funding/ CONTACTS
Address
Department of Philosophy
King's College London
Strand Campus
Strand
London WC2R 2LS
Email
Tel
020 7848 2350/2374
Fax
020 7848 7200
PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION
For more information about the Department of Mathematics, follow the department contact links.
Our Department of Philosophy has particular strengths in philosophy of mind, philosophy of science and ancient philosophy. We are also able to offer an extremely wide range of modules, including subjects like Indian philosophy and medieval philosophy which are offered by very few other universities in the UK.
ABOUT THE Department of Mathematics
CAREERS
A degree in mathematics is one of the most flexible qualifications you can obtain, and as a result graduates are among the best paid and the least likely to be unemployed. Many mathematics graduates become statisticians, actuaries, scientists, accountants, and so on. More and more often they are also going into careers in life sciences or the City. Opportunities also exist in teaching, and there is a real demand for graduates in this area. Recent graduates have found employment as:
• Actuarial Analyst, Deloitte
• Graduates in the Fashion Industry scheme, lyle and scott
• Teacher, Harris Academy
• Accounting Associate, Ernst & Young
• Financial Analyst, GE Healthcare
• Mathematical Developer, Oakham
• Audit Assistant, KPMG
• Finance Assistant, Eden Finance
• Management Consultant, Pricewaterhousecoopers
• Project Assistant, HSBC
• Qualify Management Technician, Pacific life Insurance
• Systems Analyst, QBE
TEACHING STYLE
Teaching is predominantly by lectures, supplemented with tutorials and problem classes. Mathematics is not a spectator sport: to become a competent mathematician you must have a go at solving problems. Lecturers provide problem sheets, and if a problem defeats you, we hope and expect that you will ask for help.
STRUCTURE OF PROGRAMMES & ASSESSMENT
Our students are assessed using a combination of coursework and examinations depending on the module.
LOCATION
The central location of our department gives easy access to major libraries and many leading societies including the London Mathematical Society and the Royal Society.
SPECIAL NOTES
King’s College London has a Study Abroad programme and UG Mathematics students are eligible to apply for this. Further details can be found at
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/international/abroad/prospective/sa/
ABOUT THE Department of Philosophy
CAREERS
Graduates have gone on to a wide range of careers after leaving King’s. Among those who have recently graduated, a survey uncovered a merchant banker, a police constable, a barrister, a trainee journalist, a trainee teacher and several who had returned (or were about to return) to university to take higher degrees.
Recent graduates have found employment as….
• Analyst Consultant, Accenture
• Asset Distributor, Universal Music
• English Teacher, Primary School
• Intern (Public Affairs), Science strategy company
• Journalist, a business website
• Operations Manager, Five UK
• Research Assistant (Philosophy), a UK university
• Film Production Assistant, Production company
• Volunteer Development Support Officer, Diabetes uK
TEACHING STYLE
In our undergraduate teaching, we aim to combine a wide range of study options with direct staff-student contact. Our emphasis on small-group teaching in tutorials and seminars makes King’s an excellent place to acquire and hone the skills of critical thinking, and to express your ideas both in writing and in philosophical discussion with your fellow students and instructors.
STRUCTURE OF PROGRAMMES & ASSESSMENT
Our programme offers an unusually wide range of options, such as Philosophy of Psychology and Philosophy in the Islamic World. Study of these options builds upon the solid foundation of core courses in the first and second years, with a lot of choice between modules already in the second year.
Assessment mixes examinations and essays, and all modules offer formative assessment to let you try out and explore your ideas.
LOCATION
The Department is based at the College’s Strand Campus, in the heart of central London. The College’s Maughan Library is a short walk away on Chancery Lane.
Currently, students study the following core modules; We review our options on a regular basis, in order to continue to offer innovative and exciting programmes and this list is therefore subject to change. Please check here for updates, or contact the School/department for further advice.
YEAR 1
Core modules (four in Mathematics and four in Philosophy).
YEAR 1 CORE
Mathematics:
Calculus I & II
Linear Methods
Geometry I
Philosophy:
Combined honours students choose from among our level 4 modules, which are:
Autumn modules Greek Philosophy I
Ethics I
Elementary Logic
Metaphysics I
Spring modules Modern Philosophy I
Political Philosophy I
Epistemology I
Methodology
In the first year combined honours students must take at least one module in history of philosophy, at least one module in either ethics or political philosophy, and at least one module from among Elementary Logic, Metaphysics I, Epistemology I, and Methodology.
YEAR 2
Four optional modules in Mathematics plus four optional modules in Philosophy.
YEAR 2 OPTIONS
Mathematics:
- Introduction to Dynamical Systems
- Numbers & Functions
- Probability & Statistics I
- Analysis I
- Introduction to Abstract Algebra
- Geometry of Surfaces
- Groups & Symmetries
- Intermediate Dynamics
- Linear Algebra
- PDEs & Complex Variable
- Discrete Mathematics
- History & Development of Mathematics
- Logic
- Numerical Methods
- Probability & Statistics II
Philosophy:
Students take four modules in total, with the requirement to take three modules from at least two of the below lists:
List A- Greek Philosophy II: Plato
- Greek Philosophy II: Aristotle
- Modern Philosophy II: Locke and Berkeley
- Modern Philosophy II: Spinoza and Leibniz
List B- Ethics II: History of Ethical Philosophy
- Ethics II: Contemporary Ethical Philosophy
- Political Philosophy II: Theories of Justice
- Political Philosophy II: History of Political Philosophy
List C- Epistemology II
- Metaphysics II
- Philosophy of Logic and Language
- Philosophy of Mind
In the second year combined honours students may also take one 15 credit module from among the wide range of level 6 optional subjects (see year three below).
YEAR 3
You take three Mathematics modules (four if not taking Symbolic Logic) and four options from the Philosophy modules listed.
YEAR 3 CORE
Mathematics:
- Symbolic Logic (if not taken in Year 2)
YEAR 3 OPTIONS
Mathematics:
- Complex Analysis
- Introductory Quantum Theory
- Real Analysis II
- Special Relativity and Electro-magnetism
- Financial Mathematics
- Geometries
- Introduction to Linear Systems with Control Theory
- Linear Systems with Control Theory
- Operational Research I
- Space-time Geometry & General Relativity
- Mathematics Education & Communication
Philosophy:
- 19th Century Continental Philosophy
- Advanced Logic modules
- Aesthetics
- Dissertation
- Foundations of Analytic Philosophy
- Greek Philosophical Texts
- Hellenistic Philosophy
- Indian Philosophy
- Kant
- Meaning and Grammar
- Medieval Philosophy
- Moral Normativity
- Neoplatonism
- Philosophy in the Islamic World
- Philosophy of Mathematics
- Philosophy of Religion
- Philosophy of Science
- Scepticism
- Science, Ethics and Society
- Topics in Ethics
- Topics in Greek Philosophy
- Topics in Modern Philosophy
- Topics in Philosophy of Mind
- Topics in Political Philosophy
- Utilitarianism
NB: Not all modules will be available every year.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Australia
Tertiary Entrance Ranking
97+ ATAR, or an OP of band 2 for Queensland including high marks in Maths
Austria
Reifezeugnis (Matura)
Reifezeugnis with 1 including 1 in Maths
Belgium
Certificat D
Certificat D’Enseignement Secondaire Superieur/Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs with 8/10 or 18/20 including 8 or 18 in Maths
Brazil
Brazil
High School Leaving Certificate (Certificado de Ensino Médio) with 8 OR B OR Muito Bom PLUS at least one year of Bacharel/Licenciado at a Brazilian University with a GPA of at least 8.0 OR the King’s College London International Foundation Programme OR 3 A-levels with grades of AAA. Including Maths
Bulgaria
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie with the majority of subject marks of 5.5 including 5.5 in Maths
Canada
Secondary School Certificate/Diploma
High School Certificate/Diploma with 90% OR Ontario University Preparatory Course with 90% at five grade 12 4U subjects. The sixth subject may be at 4U or 4U/C level. OR the Quebec CEGEP Cote R with an overall R score of 33. (Requires high marks in Maths)
Chile
Chile
Licencia de Educación Media with 6 PLUS at least one year of the Licenciatura at a Chilean university with a mark of 5 OR the Kings College London International Foundation Programme OR 3 A-levels with grades of AAA. Including Maths
China
Gao Kao (University Entrance Examination)
University Entrance Examination with at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Chinese university with at least 80% (Requires high marks in Maths)
Cyprus
Apolytirion
Apolytirion (School Leaving Certificate) with 19 plus at least an additional foundation/Access year (Including high marks in Maths)
Czech Republic
Maturita
Maturita with 1 including 1 in Maths
Denmark
Studentereksamen or Hjere Forberedelseseksamen
Studentereksamen or Højere Forberedelseseksamen with 11 including 11 in Maths
Estonia
Gmnaasiumi lputunnistus (Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
Gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus with grade 5 (including 5 in Maths) and an attestation of success in the state entry examinations (Riigieksamitunnistus)
Finland
Ylioppilastutkinto/Studentexamen (National Matriculation)
Ylioppilastutkinto with 7 including 7 in Maths
France
Baccalaureat (including the option internationale baccalaureat)
The Baccalaureat with 14/20 overall and 14 in Maths
Germany
Abitur
Abitur with 1.3 overall including 1.3 in Maths
Ghana
School Leaving Certificate
the West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC/WASSCE) PLUS 3 international Cambridge-board A levels at AAA. Including Maths
Greece
Apolytirion
Apolytirion with 19 including 19 in Maths
Hungary
Erettsegi
Erettsegi with 5 including 5 in Maths
India
School Leaving Certificate
School Leaving Certificate with 85% overall OR School Leaving Certificate with 75% with at least a foundation/Access year or year of undergraduate study at an Indian university. (Both require high marks in Maths)
Iran
School Leaving Certificate
Pre-University Certificate (Peeshdaneshgahe) OR the National Entrance Exam (Kunkur) with 17 OR 3 Cambridge International A levels at AAA (All require high marks in Maths)
Ireland
Irish Leaving Certificate
A1 A1 A1 A2 B1 B1 with grade A in Maths
Italy
Esame di Stato
Esame di Stato with 90 with high marks in Maths
Japan
School Leaving Certificate
Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shomeisho) PLUS 3 Cambridge Board International A-levels at AAA OR an Associate degree or Diploma from a Junior College (Jun-Gakushi) with a GPA of 3.3 or B+ or 4 OR a foundation year. Including high marks in Maths
Latvia
Atestats par visparejo videjo izglitibu (Certificate of General Secondary Education)
Atestats par visparejo videjo izglitibu with 9 with at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Latvian university (Requires high marks in Maths)
Lithuania
Brandos Atestatas (Maturity Certificate)
Brandos Atestatas with 90 with at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Lithuanian university (Requires high marks in Maths)
Luxembourg
Diplome de Fin D
Diplome de Fin D’Etudes Secondaires with Tres Bien including Tres Bien in Maths
Malta
Matriculation Certificate - Advanced level
Matriculation Certificate with AAA including A in Maths
Mexico
Mexico
The Bachillerato with a mark of 8 PLUS the King’s College London International Foundation Programme OR at least one year of the Licenciado study with an overall average mark of at least 8/10 OR A-levels with grades of AAA. Including Maths
Moldova
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma de Bacalaureat with 9 including 9 in Maths
Netherlands
Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO)
VWO with 8 including 8 in Maths
New Zealand
National Certificate of Educational Achievement Level 3 (NCEA)
the NCEA level 3 with E in the majority of standards/modules in four subjects,including Excellent in Maths
Nigeria
School Leaving Certificate
The Senior School Certificate (SSC/SSCE) OR the West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC/WASSCE) PLUS 3 Cambridge International A levels at AAA, including A in Maths
Norway
Vitnemal-videregaende opplaering (Upper Secondary Leaving Certificate)
Vitnemal-videregaende opplaering grade 5 including 5 in Maths
Pakistan
High School Certificate (HSSC)
High School Certificate with A1 with at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Pakistani university (Requires high marks in Maths)
Poland
Matura
Matura with 85% in extended level subjects with high marks in Maths
Portugal
Diploma de Ensino Secundário
Diploma de Ensino Secundário with 18 including high marks in Maths
Romania
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma de Bacalaureat with 9 including 9 in Maths
Russia
Attest o (Polnom) Srednem Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education)
Attest o (Polnom) Srednem Obshchem Obrazovanii with an average of 4.5 including 5 in Maths with at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Russian university
Saudi Arabia
School Leaving Certificate
College of Technology Diploma OR Higher Technical Institute Diploma OR Junior Health College Diploma OR Undergraduate Diploma with 85% OR 3 Cambridge International A levels at AAA (All require high marks in Maths)
Slovakia
Vysvedcenie Maturitnej Skuska/Maturita
Vysvedcenie Maturitnej Skuske/Maturita with 1 including 1 in Maths
Slovenia
Maturitetno Spricevalo (Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
Maturitetno Spricevalo with 5 includes 5 in Maths
South Africa
South African Senior Certificate/National Senior Certificate with Matriculation endorsement
The National Senior Certificate with Matriculation endorsement with AAAAB
Spain
Titulo de Bachiller
Titulo de Bachiller with 9 overall includes 9 in Maths
Sweden
Fullständigt Slutbetyg (School Leaving Certificate)
Fullstandigt Slutbeytg with MVG includes MVG in Maths
Switzerland
Federal Maturity Certificate
Federal Maturity Certificate with an overall mark of 5 includes 5 in Maths
Turkey
Lise Diplomasi (High School Diploma)
Lise Diplomasi with an overall mark of 4 with at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Turkish university (requires high marks in Maths)
United Kingdom
3 A levels & 1 AS level
AAA at A-level plus pass at AS-level (for those offering A2 Further Mathematics) or A*AA at A-level plus A at AS-level (for those offering only AS-level Further Mathematics)
2 A levels & 3 AS level
AA at A-level (including Further Mathematics) plus 3 AS-levels with grade A OR A*A at A-level (not including Further Mathematics) plus 3 AS-levels with grade A (including FM)
Compulsory subjects
For those offering A2 Further Mathematics: A in A2 Mathematics; A in A2 Further Mathematics. For those only offering AS-level Further Mathematics: A* in A2 Mathematics; A in AS-level Further Mathematics.
12 unit A level in vocational subjects
A* full maths A-level plus AA in the twelve-unit vocational, plus A at AS in FM
General Studies and Critical Thinking - College policy
Please note that AS/A level General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted by King's as one of your A or AS levels. However, if offered the grade achieved may be taken into account when considering whether or not to accept a candidate who has just fallen short of the conditions of their offer
Access
Access to Maths or Maths and Computing (or similar) Diploma with the maximum award of 60 credits overall and 45 at level three. Supplementary information and achievement eg percentage mark/scores for certain credits/subjects will be required.
Cambridge Pre-U
3 Pre-U Principal Subjects with grades of D3 D3 D3 including Maths
BTEC
Considered on an individual basis
Scottish Highers & Advanced Highers
A2 A2 at Advanced Highers (including Maths) plus A2 A2 A2 A2 B3 at Highers.
International Baccalaureate
38 points overall with HL6 Maths
European Baccalaureate
85% overall with 85% in Maths
USA
Advanced Placement Tests and/or SAT/ACT (SAT/ACT acceptable only where stipulated)
Three AP subjects with 555 including Maths grade 5. Or SAT with a total score of 1900 with at least 600 in each section or the ACT with a score of 28 plus 3 SAT-S including Maths with a score of 600 in each
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Aptitude testing
No test required
If you are interested in coming to King’s, you should apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and apply online via the UCAS website (click on 'apply'). If you are applying through a school or college, you will need to obtain a 'buzzword' from the centre you are applying through. Alternatively, you can apply as an individual, independent of a school or college. Please see the UCAS website for instructions. The UCAS institution code name for King’s is KCL, and the institution code is K60.
There are a few programmes which require direct application to King's, this will be stated above
The Department of Philosophy does not normally interview applicants, other than applicants with relevant life experience. Offers are made from November onwards on the basis of actual and predicted grades at A-level, in the International Baccalaureate or other equivalent examinations, and on other information contained in the UCAS form. Everyone to whom an offer is made is invited to an open day in March when they can meet members of the department.