Mathematics and Foundations of Computer Science (Taught)

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2025). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.

The MSc in Mathematics and Foundations of Computer Science, run by the Mathematical Institute and the Department of Computer Science, is a taught, full-time course focusing on the interface between pure mathematics and theoretical computer science.

The course is suitable for those who wish to pursue research in pure mathematics (especially algebra, number theory, combinatorics, general topology and their computational aspects), mathematical logic, or theoretical computer science. It is also suitable for students wishing to enter industry with an understanding of mathematical and logical design and concurrency.

The mathematical side of the course concentrates on areas where computers are used, or which are relevant to computer science, namely algebra, general topology, number theory, combinatorics and logic.

Examples from the computing side include computational complexity, concurrency, computational learning theory, and quantum computing.

It is intended that a major feature of this course is that you should gain a broad knowledge and understanding over a wide range of material.

Course structure
You will take a minimum of five optional lecture courses from across the two departments, usually representing around 16 hours of lectures and associated classes. The lecture courses will be divided into schedule I (basic) and schedule II (advanced). The majority of lecture courses will be given in the first two terms.

You will write a dissertation on a topic related to the course material during the third term and the summer.