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This interesting and challenging Physics & Philosophy MSci will enable you to investigate the connection between these two subjects and take this study to master’s level in both. You will study the fundamental aspects of physics, including relativity, quantum mechanics, fields and waves, electromagnetism and nuclear physics. Studying philosophy will help you to develop your understanding of reality and our knowledge of it, as well as develop skills in reasoning and arguments.

Key benefits

• Award winning: six former staff and students in the Physics department have won Nobel Prizes.
• Internationally-renowned academic staff in the fields of cosmology, nanotechnology, and the interface between physics and biology.
• Study the skies using King’s own rooftop observatory and telescope.
• Central location gives you easy access to major libraries and many leading societies, including the Institute of Physics.
• One of the largest and most distinguished philosophy departments in the country. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2021) 86 per cent of our research was valued as being ‘world-leading’ (4*) or ‘internationally excellent’ (3*).
• Philosophy offer an exceptionally wide range of optional courses, covering all areas of the history of philosophy and contemporary philosophy.
• Our emphasis on small-group teaching ensures you acquire critical thinking skills.

We have designed our joint honours Physics & Philosophy MSci to offer you the opportunity to study both subjects at master’s level. The course is initially split equally between physics and philosophy modules, with the opportunity to specialise in one discipline in the final years if you choose. Ours is one of the few physics and philosophy joint honours courses that follows an integrated approach to the two subjects, with modules in the philosophy of physics and philosophy of science, offering you a deeper understanding of some of the conceptual puzzles that you will encounter in your physics courses.

The physics section of the course covers core theoretical aspects of physics, including areas such as relativity, quantum mechanics, fields and waves, electromagnetism and nuclear physics. This will give you important numerical and analytical skills, as well as preparing you for further study in theoretical physics.  By taking appropriate module options and project choices, you could also pursue further study in experimental physics should you wish to do so.

In the philosophy section of the course you will learn to address difficult questions about the world, our knowledge of it and our values. This will give you highly transferable and valuable skills in reasoning and argument. We have designed our philosophy modules during the first year to give you a good grounding in a range of important philosophical concepts. Later on you will be free to choose from an exceptionally broad range of philosophical topics. At the same time, modules in the Philosophy of Spacetime Physics, the Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics and the Philosophy of Science offer you the opportunity to apply your reasoning skills to physics and to explore some of the fascinating problems encountered in interpreting modern physics.

In the final year, you will undertake a Physics project and research and write a Philosophy dissertation to explore your own academic interests. You will also be able to choose from a wide range of modules from either discipline, including modules offered by the Mathematics department, or from another University of London college (Royal Holloway).