Master of Science in International Development

at University of Bristol - Clifton Campus United Kingdom

The Department of Philosophy has exceptional research strength in philosophy of physics, and very strong links with the University's School of Physics. The latest Philosophical Gourmet Report ranked Bristol as the fourth strongest department in the UK for Philosophy of Physics and the joint strongest for General Philosophy of Science. The department is home to the Centre for Science and Philosophy and regularly hosts major research projects in philosophy of science (see our research pages)..

This MA draws on these outstanding research strengths. It is intended both for students who wish to specialise in philosophy of physics at a higher level, and for individuals with a background in physics or mathematics who wish to make a transition to philosophy and foundations of physics.

The MA is an exciting programme consisting of taught components in philosophy and physics, as well as a dissertation which is an opportunity to work on an extended and original piece of research on a topic of your choosing, with guidance from a research supervisor.

This MSc conversion program is for students from a variety of academic backgrounds who have little or no previous academic computing experience. The aims of the programme are to build:

• An understanding of the basis of computer science and its importance in software development;
• An understanding of the underlying principles of computer systems and their applications;
• An introduction to industrial-style methods of analysis, design, implementation, testing and documentation in software development;
• An appreciation of the current state and future directions of technological advances in computer science.

If you love the challenge of thinking through a maths question and the satisfaction of having solved a difficult problem, but also want to think about a broad range of intellectual questions in a rigorous way, this course is for you.

Linked by the formal study of logic, the two components of the course complement each other. You will develop rigorous analysis and argument distinctive to the analytic philosophical tradition, while developing mathematical maturity to reason through subtle ideas in abstract mathematics.

There is also the opportunity to use your mathematical knowledge in the study of the philosophy of biology, economics and physics.

In your first year you will take 80 credit points of mathematics units in common with all other first-year maths students, for example linear algebra, topics in calculus and differential equations, analysis and an introduction to the ideas of proof and group theory. In philosophy you will take 40 credit points in two mandatory introduction to philosophy units.

In your second year a unit in realism and normativity is compulsory, leaving much scope to tailor the rest of your year to your own interests. This continues in the third year, which allows you to choose a variety of units in both mathematics and philosophy. You will complete a philosophy project in your third year.

Theoretical physics aims to understand and predict phenomena in the physical world based on a conceptual and mathematical understanding of the laws of the universe.

This course includes topics such as quantum physics, quantum information, relativistic field theory and condensed matter physics. Our MSci Theoretical Physics degree incorporates a greater level of mathematics and theory with less laboratory work than MSci Physics.

You will join a friendly department with a very active, award-winning student society. Many theoretical physics graduates pursue further academic research then progress to careers in research and teaching. The problem solving and mathematical skills you can gain during this degree are highly valued in finance, IT and management, as well as a wide range of other careers.

Law is a global profession. An understanding of more than one legal system, language, and culture can open up a world of opportunity.

On this four-year, joint honors course you will develop your language and cultural knowledge of German to degree level alongside core units in civil and common law – the world’s most prominent legal systems. You will have the chance to spend your third year at a German-speaking university. For more information about the year abroad visit Global Opportunities.

The course is structured to help you think, write, reason, and argue like an international lawyer while gaining a rich understanding of the German language, linguistics, literature, history, and culture. It will also help you develop key skills in research and analysis.

Our education master's degrees give you the opportunity to design a tailored program of study that suits your learning and professional needs. You will be able to specialise and receive an award in a particular disciplinary area.

This pathway is designed for those with an interest in teaching and learning and working with learners in educational settings across the sector. It is particularly suitable if you already hold master's-level credits from a teaching qualification, such as a PGCE, and want to build on this foundation for your professional development.

In common with other MSc Education students, you will take the compulsory research methods unit, Introduction to Educational Inquiry, and write a dissertation. You will also take the compulsory unit, Contemporary Perspectives in Learning, which is core to your pathway. You can choose the rest of your units from across the programs offered by the school. Your final choice of units will be made after consulting with tutors so that your choice is as coherent and useful as possible, as well as suiting your individual needs.

Studying abroad in Europe fosters language skills and intellectual growth as well as developing your breadth of perspective.

If you're driven by intellectual curiosity and enjoy the satisfaction of cracking difficult puzzles, this course offers a rigorous foundation in mathematics that will help you stand out to top employers.

Our lecturers are passionate about their subject, with modules informed by cutting-edge research in fundamental mathematical abstractions, statistics and practical applications to global problems. Vocational units, currently including Financial Risk Management and Maths in Schools, prepare you for a successful career in industry. Opportunities to undertake a research project could inspire you to pursue postgraduate study.

The first two years of the course provide a broad background in mathematics, similar to our single honours mathematics degrees, and include relevant European language units.

Provided you fulfil the progression requirements of the Study Abroad in a Modern Language course at the end of year two, you will spend your third year abroad in one of our partner universities, studying mathematics in a foreign language. Visit our Global Opportunities website to find out where you can study.

You will return to Bristol to complete the fourth year of the degree, where you will benefit from a wide choice of third-year units.