maths phd uk

Study Postgraduate

Phd in mathematics (2024 entry).

Course code

30 September 2024

3-4 years full-time

Qualification

Mathematics Institute

University of Warwick

Explore our PhD in Mathematics

The PhD in Mathematics offers an intellectually stimulating and dynamic research course. Study at the University of Warwick's Mathematics Institute, an international centre of research excellence, ranked 3rd for research power and 3rd for the number of 4* research outputs in REF 2021 (amongst UK universities).

Course overview

Mathematics at Warwick covers the full spectrum of mathematics and its applications. The Mathematics Postgraduate Degrees are appropriate for students with a strong and broad mathematical background who wish to engage in advanced mathematical techniques and attack mathematical research problems in their postgraduate work.

All students are required to undergo training in Year One and are encouraged to make use of further training opportunities available in subsequent years. Training ranges from gaining a broader knowledge of mathematics through taught modules, seminars and workshops, to enhancing your professional and transferrable skills. Our PhD students undertake high quality original research and are being well-prepared for a career, either in academia or elsewhere.

Teaching and learning

Students are required to complete a series of modules in their first year (from a very wide selection of bespoke modules), with assessment including an oral examination component. Upon the successful completion of these modules, students are required to complete a research project before being formally upgraded to a PhD at the end of the first year.

Training will be supplemented with attendance to seminars, cohort building activities, and additional transferable skills training.

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements.

First Class Honours undergraduate integrated Master's (4-year) degree from a UK university in Mathematics or a science degree with high mathematical content, or the equivalent qualification and grade from a non-UK university.

Alternatively, applicants who have a Bachelor's degree AND a Distinction in a postgraduate Master's degree would be considered.

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirements Link opens in a new window . This course requires the following:

• IELTS overall score of 6.5, minimum component scores not below 6.0

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements page Link opens in a new window .

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Our research

The mathematics department covers a wide range of research areas in mathematics and its applications.

You may also wish to explore the research interest of current Warwick academics .

Find a supervisor

The 'Find A Supervisor' link below will allow you to explore the research interests of academics within the department. Please include in your application the names of potential supervisors, with interests aligned with yours, or people you would like to work with.

The mathematics department, unlike some other departments, does not require students to make any arrangements with any potential supervisors before applying, though of course you are welcome to contact them directly and discuss your interests and any potential projects they may offer.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your research course fees

Fee Status Guidance

The University carries out an initial fee status assessment based on information provided in the application and according to the guidance published by UKCISA. Students are classified as either Home or Overseas Fee status and this can determine the tuition fee and eligibility of certain scholarships and financial support.

If you receive an offer, your fee status will be stated with the tuition fee information. If you believe your fee status has been incorrectly classified you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire (follow the instructions in your offer) and provide the required documentation for this to be reassessed.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides guidance to UK universities on fees status criteria, you can find the latest guidance on the impact of Brexit on fees and student support on the UKCISA website .

Additional course costs

Please contact your academic department for information about department specific costs, which should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below, such as:

• Core text books
• Printer credits
• Dissertation binding
• Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

Mathematics Funding Opportunities

Find out more about the various funding opportunities that are available in our department.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

Mathematics at Warwick

Our challenging Mathematics degrees will harness your strong mathematical ability and commitment, enabling you to explore your passion for mathematics.

Find out more about us on our website Link opens in a new window

Our courses

• Interdisciplinary Mathematics (Diploma plus MSc)
• Interdisciplinary Mathematics (MSc)
• Mathematics (Diploma plus MSc)
• Mathematics (MSc)
• Mathematics (PhD)

How to apply

The application process for courses that start in September and October 2024 will open on 2 October 2023.

For research courses that start in September and October 2024 the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2024. This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK.

How to apply for a postgraduate research course  

After you’ve applied

Find out how we process your application.

Applicant Portal

Track your application and update your details.

Admissions statement

See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.

Join a live chat

Ask questions and engage with Warwick.

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Postgraduate fairs.

Throughout the year we attend exhibitions and fairs online and in-person around the UK. These events give you the chance to explore our range of postgraduate courses, and find out what it’s like studying at Warwick. You’ll also be able to speak directly with our student recruitment team, who will be able to help answer your questions.

Join a live chat with our staff and students, who are here to answer your questions and help you learn more about postgraduate life at Warwick. You can join our general drop-in sessions or talk to your prospective department and student services.

Departmental events

Some academic departments hold events for specific postgraduate programmes, these are fantastic opportunities to learn more about Warwick and your chosen department and course.

See our online departmental events

Warwick Talk and Tours

A Warwick talk and tour lasts around two hours and consists of an overview presentation from one of our Recruitment Officers covering the key features, facilities and activities that make Warwick a leading institution. The talk is followed by a campus tour which is the perfect way to view campus, with a current student guiding you around the key areas on campus.

Connect with us

Learn more about Postgraduate study at the University of Warwick.

We may have revised the information on this page since publication. See the edits we have made and content history .

Why Warwick

Discover why Warwick is one of the best universities in the UK and renowned globally.

9th in the UK (The Guardian University Guide 2024) Link opens in a new window

67th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2024) Link opens in a new window

6th most targeted university by the UK's top 100 graduate employers Link opens in a new window

(The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers Research Ltd. Link opens in a new window )

About the information on this page

This information is applicable for 2024 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.

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MPhil/PhD Mathematics

• Graduate research
• Department of Mathematics
• Application code G1ZM
• Starting 2024
• Home full-time: Open
• Overseas full-time: Open
• Location: Houghton Street, London

This programme offers the chance to undertake a substantial piece of work that is worthy of publication and which makes an original contribution to the field of mathematics within our four broad disciplines – discrete mathematics and algorithms, financial mathematics and control theory, game theory, and operations research. You will begin on the MPhil, and will need to meet certain requirements to be upgraded to PhD status.

You have a plethora of topics to choose from including combinatorics, combinatorial optimisation, computational learning theory, control theory, financial mathematics, game theory, graph theory, integer programming, mechanism design, polyhedral combinatorics, probabilistic analysis, theory of computation and algorithms, and in the applications of mathematics in areas such as inspections, network optimisation, telecommunications, transportation, and economics.

Over the course of the years, the Department organises a number of personal development workshops for PhD students, designed to provide tailored support for specific areas of interest, such as careers, impact, and final year processes. Crucially, we have close ties with other departments at LSE, such as Statistics, Finance, Economics and Management, and we are an integral part of the mathematical community of the University of London.

All research students in the Department are provided with some funding each year to encourage and support their research activities, such as conference attendance and purchasing books and technology. Additional research funds are also available, upon application.

Programme details

For more information about tuition fees and entry requirements, see the fees and funding and assessing your application sections.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements for mphil/phd mathematics.

Merit in a taught master's degree (or equivalent) in a related discipline and a 2:1 degree or equivalent in mathematics. 

Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet our minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission. 

If you have studied or are studying outside of the UK then have a look at our  Information for International Students  to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

LSE values diversity and strives to promote equality at all levels. We strongly encourage applications from women, ethnic minorities, and members of other groups under-represented in higher education.

Assessing your application

Making an application.

We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including your:

- academic achievement (including existing and pending qualifications) - CV - statement of academic purpose - outline research proposal - sample of written work - references

In addition to the general guidelines on application documents available  here , you can find specific guidelines for some of the application documents required as part of your application for the MPhil/PhD Mathematics programme below.  

Academic Achievement Provide detailed transcripts, with individual marks for all courses on your undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes you have completed, and any available/provisional marks obtained in your current degree programme.

CV - Provide details of your education history. - Provide details of any employment history or other professional experience, including internships or volunteering activities. - Mention any relevant prior research experience, such as thesis work, research projects.    - If relevant, mention any career breaks or career changes, for example due to caring responsibilities.

Statement of Academic Purpose (1 page) - Explain your motivation for doing a PhD. - Explain your current career goals and aspirations and clarify how the PhD programme might help you realise them.  

Outline Research Proposal (1-2 pages) Many applicants will have little or no prior experience of research and therefore we do not expect a fully developed research proposal. The following is a recommendation of what to address, in a concise manner, in the research proposal. - Explain which overall research area you are interested in and explain why.  - Provide an example of one or two research papers that you have read or open problems you have heard about (in your proposed research area) and explain why you found them interesting. - Clarify who you see as potential supervisors and explain why.  - Explain how your training and skills are suitable for conducting research in your area of interest. For example, provide specific examples of related courses you have taken, and any research, internship, or work experiences that are relevant to your research area of interest. - If applicable, describe how any dissertation work from your BSc or MSc is relevant to your planned PhD research (be aware that this research will most likely be different).

Sample of Written Work (at least 5 pages) Submit something that showcases your mathematical writing. This could for example be a thesis, a project report, or some detailed exercise solutions. We like to see a writing sample that contains both mathematical details and plain text in which you discuss/interpret/explain the mathematical results. You can submit more than one writing sample if you only have short pieces of written work.

References You will need to nominate two referees. Academic referees are preferred, i.e., people who have taught you at university level.

If you can find a referee who can specifically comment on your research potential and your academic background in your chosen research area, that would be helpful. If you have any previous research experience, you could ask supervisors/project partners for a reference letter. An academic reference from your current degree programme where you already took exams are usually most helpful. If you have not taken any exams in your current programme yet, you can also ask for reference letters from previous degrees.

The referees will be asked to provide a reference letter and answer a selection of multiple-choice questions in which they will need to provide an assessment of your academic performance/potential etc. and research potential. --------------

Completed applications are sent to the Department after they are processed by the Graduate Admissions Office. In the Department, the numbers and quality of competing applications and the availability of an appropriate supervisor are considered. If your application is shortlisted for consideration, an interview will be arranged with the appropriate members of staff by telephone or video conferencing software. Once all interviews have been conducted, the Department will decide on who to accept and who to offer funding. If your application is received before the deadline, we aim to notify you about the outcome by the end of Winter Term.

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency. You do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE, but we recommend that you do see our  English language requirements  for further information.

When to apply

The application deadline for this programme is 23 May 2024 . However, to be considered for any LSE funding opportunity, you must have submitted your application and all supporting documents by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section for more details.

Fees and funding

Every research student is charged a fee in line with the fee structure for their programme. The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees 2024/25 for MPhil/PhD Mathematics

Home students: £4,829 for the first year (provisional) Overseas students: £22,632 for the first year

The fee is likely to rise over subsequent years of the programme. The School charges home research students in line with the level of fee that the Research Councils recommend. The fees for overseas students are likely to rise in line with the assumed percentage increase in pay costs (ie, 4 per cent per annum).

The Table of Fees shows the latest tuition amounts for all programmes offered by the School.

The amount of tuition fees you will need to pay, and any financial support you are eligible for, will depend on whether you are classified as a home or overseas student, otherwise known as your fee status. LSE assesses your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

Further information about fee status classification.

Scholarships, studentships and other funding

The School recognises that the  cost of living in London  may be higher than in your home town or country, and we provide generous scholarships each year to home and overseas students.

This programme is eligible for  LSE PhD Studentships and  Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding . Selection for the PhD Studentships and ESRC funding is based on receipt of an application for a place – including all ancillary documents, before the funding deadline.

Funding deadline for LSE PhD Studentships: 15 January 2024

In addition to our needs-based awards, LSE also makes available scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for students studying specific subject areas.  Find out more about financial support.

In addition, students on this programme are eligible for the Department of Mathematics' PhD Prize for Outstanding Academic Performance , which is an annual award for the best PhD performance from a student completing in the previous academic year.

External funding 

There may be other funding opportunities available through other organisations or governments and we recommend you investigate these options as well. 

Further information

Fees and funding opportunities

Information for international students

LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body. We celebrate this diversity through everything we do.  

If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK then take a look at our Information for International students . 

1) Take a note of the UK qualifications we require for your programme of interest (found in the ‘Entry requirements’ section of this page). 

2) Go to the International Students section of our website. 

3) Select your country. 

4) Select ‘Graduate entry requirements’ and scroll until you arrive at the information about your local/national qualification. Compare the stated UK entry requirements listed on this page with the local/national entry requirement listed on your country specific page.

Programme structure and courses

In addition to progressing with your research, you are expected to take the listed training and transferable skills courses. You may take courses in addition to those listed and should discuss this with your supervisor. At the end of your second year (full-time), you will need to satisfy certain requirements, and if you meet these, will be retroactively upgraded to PhD status.

Training courses – Compulsory (not examined) Courses designed for research in Mathematics need to be chosen in consultation with your lead supervisor. Discrete Mathematics and Algorithms, Operations Research and Game Theory students will attend four courses organised by the London Taught Course Centre .

There are separate arrangements for students in Financial Mathematics, where courses are provided by the London Graduate School in Mathematical Finance . You also have the option of attending or auditing LSE Taught Masters modules, where appropriate.

Transferable skills courses – Compulsory (not examined) Mathematics: Seminar on Combinatorics, Games and Optimisation Research Student Seminar – you must attend and make presentations

Second year

Transferable skills courses – Compulsory (not examined) Mathematics Seminar Research Student Seminar - you must attend and make presentations.

Transferable skills courses – Compulsory (not examined) Mathematics Seminar Research Student Seminar - you must attend and make presentations.

Fourth year

Transferable skills courses– Compulsory (not examined) Mathematics Seminar Research Student Seminar - you must attend and make presentations.

For the most up-to-date list of optional courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page .  

You must note, however, that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.  

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s  Calendar , or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the  updated graduate course and programme information page.

Supervision, progression and assessment

Supervision.

Supervisors are selected during the application process, where we take into account the information and preferences you mention in your application. You will be assigned to:

-  One or two principal supervisor(s) with requisite knowledge in your chosen field. Most of your day-to-day supervision will be with the principal supervisor(s). If the research project or your interests shift during your time in the Department, it is possible to change principal supervisor(s). - If there is only one principal supervisor, an appropriate second supervisor will be appointed. There will always be a principal supervisor from the Mathematics Department. Where appropriate, a second or joint supervisor may be appointed from another department or institution.

Progression and assessment

You are initially registered for the MPhil, and will be able to upgrade to PhD registration during your second year, dependent on satisfactory progress. Progress is assessed regularly by your supervisors, in consultation with the Doctoral Programme Director, on the basis of the extent to which the agreed research goals have been achieved. Any upgrade is dependent on the successful completion of a Major Review, the date of which is determined by the Doctoral Programme Director in consultation with the lead supervisor.

By the end of your first year you will be required to present a more detailed project proposal. The proposal, which should illustrate your command of the theoretical and empirical literature related to your topic, will be a clear statement of the theoretical and methodological approach you will take. It will include a draft outline and work plan, which should identify any periods of fieldwork necessary to your research. This should demonstrate the coherence and feasibility of the proposed research and thesis.

Study facilities

Students are provided with their own workspace and Windows PC within the Department of Mathematics’ PhD study room.  This area was recently renovated, and has been modernised to become a professional, purposeful, and relaxed work environment. Students are thus offered a supportive environment within a community of scholars and are well-placed to pursue a career building on their research accomplishments. 

In addition to the space provided in Columbia House, a dedicated Postgraduate Common Room is available to students in 32 Lincoln's Inn Fields.  Students will also find the  PhD Academy  useful, a dedicated space and services hub for doctoral candidates.

Students will have access to the comprehensive facilities of the  LSE Library  and to the libraries of other colleges of the University of London. They will also benefit from the IT and other facilities available at the School.

Student support and resources

We’re here to help and support you throughout your time at LSE, whether you need help with your academic studies, support with your welfare and wellbeing or simply to develop on a personal and professional level.

Whatever your query, big or small, there are a range of people you can speak to who will be happy to help.  

Department librarians   – they will be able to help you navigate the library and maximise its resources during your studies. 

Accommodation service  – they can offer advice on living in halls and offer guidance on private accommodation related queries.

Class teachers and seminar leaders  – they will be able to assist with queries relating to specific courses. 

Disability and Wellbeing Service  – they are experts in long-term health conditions, sensory impairments, mental health and specific learning difficulties. They offer confidential and free services such as  student counselling,  a  peer support scheme  and arranging  exam adjustments.  They run groups and workshops.  

IT help  – support is available 24 hours a day to assist with all your technology queries.   

LSE Faith Centre  – this is home to LSE's diverse religious activities and transformational interfaith leadership programmes, as well as a space for worship, prayer and quiet reflection. It includes Islamic prayer rooms and a main space for worship. It is also a space for wellbeing classes on campus and is open to all students and staff from all faiths and none.   

Language Centre  – the Centre specialises in offering language courses targeted to the needs of students and practitioners in the social sciences. We offer pre-course English for Academic Purposes programmes; English language support during your studies; modern language courses in nine languages; proofreading, translation and document authentication; and language learning community activities.

LSE Careers  ­ – with the help of LSE Careers, you can make the most of the opportunities that London has to offer. Whatever your career plans, LSE Careers will work with you, connecting you to opportunities and experiences from internships and volunteering to networking events and employer and alumni insights. 

LSE Library   –   founded in 1896, the British Library of Political and Economic Science is the major international library of the social sciences. It stays open late, has lots of excellent resources and is a great place to study. As an LSE student, you’ll have access to a number of other academic libraries in Greater London and nationwide. 

LSE LIFE  – this is where you should go to develop skills you’ll use as a student and beyond. The centre runs talks and workshops on skills you’ll find useful in the classroom; offers one-to-one sessions with study advisers who can help you with reading, making notes, writing, research and exam revision; and provides drop-in sessions for academic and personal support. (See ‘Teaching and assessment’). 

LSE Students’ Union (LSESU)  – they offer academic, personal and financial advice and funding.  

PhD Academy   – this is available for PhD students, wherever they are, to take part in interdisciplinary events and other professional development activities and access all the services related to their registration. 

Sardinia House Dental Practice   – this   offers discounted private dental services to LSE students.  

St Philips Medical Centre  – based in Pethwick-Lawrence House, the Centre provides NHS Primary Care services to registered patients.

Student Services Centre  – our staff here can answer general queries and can point you in the direction of other LSE services.  

Student advisers   – we have a  Deputy Head of Student Services (Advice and Policy)  and an  Adviser to Women Students  who can help with academic and pastoral matters.

Student life

As a student at LSE you’ll be based at our central London campus. Find out what our campus and London have to offer you on academic, social and career perspective. 

Student societies and activities

Your time at LSE is not just about studying, there are plenty of ways to get involved in  extracurricular activities . From joining one of over 200 societies, or starting your own society, to volunteering for a local charity, or attending a public lecture by a world-leading figure, there is a lot to choose from. 

The campus 

LSE is based on one  campus  in the centre of London. Despite the busy feel of the surrounding area, many of the streets around campus are pedestrianised, meaning the campus feels like a real community. 

Life in London 

London is an exciting, vibrant and colourful city. It's also an academic city, with more than 400,000 university students. Whatever your interests or appetite you will find something to suit your palate and pocket in this truly international capital. Make the most of career opportunities and social activities, theatre, museums, music and more. 

Want to find out more? Read why we think  London is a fantastic student city , find out about  key sights, places and experiences for new Londoners . Don't fear, London doesn't have to be super expensive: hear about  London on a budget . 

Student stories

To read all our Alumni Stories,  see our webpage here .

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of Mathematics

Median salary of our PG students 15 months after graduating: £39,500

• Financial and Professional Services              
• Information, Digital Technology and Data            
• Accounting and Auditing              
• Real Estate, Environment and Energy 
• Advertising, Marketing, PR, Media, Entertainment, Publishing and Journalism

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2020-21 were the fourth group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and who were working in full-time employment.

Students who successfully complete the programme often embark on an academic career. 

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Support for your career

Many leading organisations give careers presentations at the School during the year, and LSE Careers has a wide range of resources available to assist students in their job search. Find out more about the  support available to students through LSE Careers .

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i or must i teach as a mphil/phd student in the department.

All mathematics MPhil/PhD students are usually expected to undertake some class teaching for the Department. You will be paid separately for this. Further details will be provided on your arrival. 

Will I receive any additional funding to support conference attendance, book purchases, etc.?

Each registered PhD student in the Department is entitled to claim up to £500 per academic year towards their research expenses relating directly to your studies, such as the purchase of books or conference attendance. All claims must be accompanied by full receipts. 

Can I apply to start in the Winter Term (January) or Spring Term (April)?

Under execptional circumstances, starting in January may be permissable.  Starting in the Spring Term is not permitted.

I am already enrolled in a PhD programme at another university and I would like to transfer to your PhD programme. How do I do that?

LSE does not accept transfer of credits. All MPhil/PhD applicants, regardless of previous academic experience, are required to complete a formal application. Previous research will be considered, but all students are initially registered as MPhil students by the School, are upgraded to PhD status according to the Department's standard policy and are required to fulfil the School's minimum registration requirements.

Can I apply to study part-time?

We will consider applications for part-time registrations in the PhD programme, subject to visa regulations. Applicants with personal circumstances such as caring responsibilities who may otherwise not pursue a PhD may consider this route. We emphasise that studying for a PhD requires a serious commitment of regular periods of time and concentration. Pursuing a PhD while holding full-time employment is discouraged.

We would need to see evidence that an applicant:

• Would be available to participate in activities that are essential to becoming an independent researcher (e.g. attend seminars, go to conferences, follow taught courses in their first year(s), etc.)
• Can find mutual times to work with their proposed supervisor
• Can spend sufficient time on their PhD research

Find out more about LSE

Discover more about being an LSE student - meet us in a city near you, visit our campus or experience LSE from home. 

Experience LSE from home

Webinars, videos, student blogs and student video diaries will help you gain an insight into what it's like to study at LSE for those that aren't able to make it to our campus.  Experience LSE from home . 

Come on a guided campus tour, attend an undergraduate open day, drop into our office or go on a self-guided tour.  Find out about opportunities to visit LSE . 

LSE visits you

Student Marketing, Recruitment and Study Abroad travels throughout the UK and around the world to meet with prospective students. We visit schools, attend education fairs and also hold Destination LSE events: pre-departure events for offer holders.  Find details on LSE's upcoming visits . 

How to apply

Virtual Graduate Open Day

Register your interest

Related programmes, mphil/phd statistics.

Code(s) G4ZS

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Mathematics PhD

Key information, full-time - 4 years, part-time - 8 years.

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Why choose this programme

From geometry and partial differential equations to fluid dynamics, data science and modelling within the life sciences, mathematics at Surrey offers an extraordinary range of research opportunities that lie at the heart of the critical scientific questions of our age.

Our teaching staff are leaders in their fields, and they offer support for innovative research in a lively, inspiring and intellectually stimulating environment. Our research cuts a broad swathe through both pure and applied areas of mathematics, and we’re unique in the strong emphasis we place on research at the interface between pure and applied mathematics.

As well as developing cutting-edge mathematics, our research also involves innovative applications in areas such as data analytics, wave energy, drug development, ecology, biological systems, mathematical physics, climate change and meteorology, crime forecasting and prevention, and machine learning.

We work closely with other academics, industries and research groups, ranging from internal collaborations with the Surrey Sleep Research Centre , the Surrey Institute for People-Centred Artificial Intelligence and the School of Veterinary Medicine , to partnerships with other institutions from around the globe. Our national and international collaborators include: Harvard, Los Alamos, MIT, Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial and the ETH Zurich; leading businesses, such as AstraZenica and Offshore Wave Energy Limited; and government agencies, such as the Animal and Plant Health Agency , the MET Office and Surrey Police .

We’re part of the MAGIC network, which provides a large selection of PhD courses in pure and applied mathematics, so you’ll be able to explore these fields during your time with us. We also have a joint Mathematics PhD course in partnership with the University of Milano-Bicocca in Italy.

Frequently asked questions about doing a PhD

What you will study

Our PhD in Mathematics will give you extensive training for a career as a professional mathematician, ready for a future in academia, industry, government, or a wide variety of other fields.

You’ll work closely with one or two supervisors, who you’ll meet frequently to discuss your research and your career development. They’ll oversee your progress, guide your critical thinking and offer advice throughout your studies.

During the first few months of your PhD, you’ll enrol and attend a series of induction events, and work with your supervisor to design a personal development plan, which you’ll update throughout your PhD.

You’ll complete a number of taught modules, including assessments, to broaden your mathematical knowledge. Most of these will be completed in your first year, with some completed in your second year. These include taught courses from MAGIC, the London Taught Course Centre and the Academy for PhD Training in Statistics, plus our own masters-level modules. You’ll also get training when attending department research seminars aimed at both staff and PhD students. On average, you’ll be attending approximately one or two research seminars a week.

In your second year, you’ll be required to complete a confirmation report and pass an internal viva examination. You’ll present your research in your research group seminar and be encouraged to design a research poster. You’ll usually start working on your first research paper together with your supervisors in your second year.

The last part of your PhD is all about advancing your research and completing your thesis. You’ll have regular meetings with your supervisor, who’ll work closely with you to help you manage your writing and make you critically reflect on the research you’ve done. Often, you’ll write and submit more research papers in this time.

We encourage all PhD students to take part in research summer and winter schools, and to present work at national and international conferences. We can support your travel to these events.

Your final assessment will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination with at least two examiners. You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form) or in publication format (including chapters written for publication), subject to the approval of your supervisors.

You’ll be assessed in the first 15 months of your PhD through a confirmation report and a viva with two internal examiners. You’ll also do short take-home examinations for online MAGIC courses and the assessments for any MSc modules you take.

Research support

The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College , which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate careers and employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.

Studentships

Application of thermally stimulated current (tsc) spectroscopy for qualitative and quantitative characterisation of amorphous pharmaceutical systems..

The funding offer includes 3.5 years of stipend (currently £18,622 per year) and tuition fees (at UK/home level) as well as travel allowance to attend (international) conferences. International applicants are welcome to apply but must identify a source to cover the difference between international and home tuition fees.

Research themes

• Epidemiology and ecology
• Mathematical criminology
• Cellular systems and quantitative systems pharmacology
• Data science and statistical analysis
• Sleep and circadian rhythms
• Dynamical systems
• Analysis of Hamiltonian, dissipative and delayed PDEs
• Perturbation theory (regular and singular) and bifurcation analysis of Hamiltonian and near-Hamiltonian systems
• Numerics of differential equations, numerical bifurcation analysis
• Calculus of variations and nonlinear elasticity theory
• Multi-scale fluid flow analysis
• Geometric mechanics
• Ferro fluids
• Hydrodynamic stability
• Nonlinear water waves and wave energy harvesting
• Data assimilation and data science for large geophysical and social systems
• Quantum field theory, string theory and supergravity
• Gauge/gravity field theory and string theory dualities
• Topological field and string theory
• Classical and quantum integrability
• Twistor geometry and geometric analysis
• Data analytics
• Machine Learning.

Our academic staff

See a full list of all our  academic staff  within the School of Mathematics and Physics.

Research groups

Research facilities.

As a PhD student, you’ll have your own desk and computer, and you’ll be based near to your supervisor.

MSc modules will be taught in small classrooms, normally with five to 15 students.

One of my best moments so far was submitting my paper for review for the first time. Even though it was just the submission, it felt like a true academic milestone had been achieved.

Jessica Furber

I am currently in the process of collecting my current results to create an academic paper, and I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the help of all my supervisors. I feel very supported by them.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a good first-class degree in an MMath, MPhys or MSc qualification, or a first-class honours degree in mathematics, physical sciences, or engineering.

International entry requirements by country

English language requirements.

IELTS Academic: 6.5 or above (or equivalent) with 6.0 in each individual category.

These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept. 

If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses , designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.

Application requirements

Before completing your application, please get in touch with the relevant supervisor to discuss your proposed area of research. See a full list of our  academic staff  within the School of Mathematics and Physics.

After registration

Students are initially registered for a PhD with probationary status and, subject to satisfactory progress, subsequently confirmed as having PhD status.

Selection process

Selection is based on applicants:

• Meeting the expected entry requirements
• Being shortlisted through the application screening process
• Completing a successful interview
• Providing suitable references.

Student life

At Surrey we offer the best of both worlds – a friendly campus university, set in beautiful countryside with the convenience and social life of Guildford on your doorstep.

Start date: October 2024

Start date: January 2025

Start date: April 2025

Start date: July 2025

• Annual fees will increase by 4% for each year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100 (subject to legal requirements).
• Any start date other than September will attract a pro-rata fee for that year of entry (75 per cent for January, 50 per cent for April and 25 per cent for July).

View the list of fees for all postgraduate research courses.

Additional costs

There are additional costs that you can expect to incur when studying at Surrey.

A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.

Apply online

If you are applying for a studentship to work on a particular project, please provide details of the project instead of a research proposal.

Read our application guidance for further information on applying.

To apply online first select the course you'd like to apply for then log in.

1. Select your course

Select the course you wish to apply for.

To apply online sign in or create an account.

Code of practice for research degrees

Surrey’s postgraduate research code of practice sets out the University's policy and procedural framework relating to research degrees. The code defines a set of standard procedures and specific responsibilities covering the academic supervision, administration and assessment of research degrees for all faculties within the University.

Download the code of practice for research degrees (PDF) .

Terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to follow our policies and procedures , student regulations , and terms and conditions .

We provide these terms and conditions in two stages:

• First when we make an offer.
• Second when students accept their offer and register to study with us (registration terms and conditions will vary depending on your course and academic year).

View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2023/24 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.

This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.

Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.

It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer .

Course location and contact details

Campus location

Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught. 

University of Surrey Admissions

University of Surrey Guildford Surrey GU2 7XH

Department of Mathematics

PhD and MPhil in Mathematics

Year of entry: 2024/25  ( see 2023/24 entry )

Be part of our vision to advance mathematical knowledge and understanding through impactful research.

Through our research we aim to create new applications and techniques that benefit the mathematics community and society in general. Our connections across the University, and with industrial partners and policymakers, will enable you to exchange ideas and build connections through your research. Our department provides a healthy span of research areas in pure and applied mathematics and statistics in a supportive environment for early career researchers.

Your research

Your research will culminate in a thesis on a topic agreed between you and your supervisor.  Your thesis must contain a substantial piece of research which includes some original work. This could include new ideas, or original commentary on material which is currently considered to be at the forefront of mathematical knowledge. 

Work on your thesis is guided by regular meetings with your supervisor.  You'll be assessed wholly on the basis of your thesis, although your degree will normally include six 10-hour graduate-level courses provided by the MAGIC consortium graduate school.

At the end of your degree, you'll have up to 12 months to finish writing up your research.

Assessment for the award of the degree of either PhD or MPhil will be on the basis of your thesis and an oral (viva voce) examination. The expectation of the Department of Mathematics is that a thesis submitted for the PhD degree will typically consist of between 100 and 200 A4 sized pages and a thesis submitted for the MPhil degree will typically consist of between 70 and 120 A4 sized pages.

[email protected] +44 (0)1904 323 097

Related links

• Research degree funding
• Accommodation
• International students
• Life at York
• How to apply

Impactful research

100% of our departmental research outputs received the highest ratings (3* and 4*) in the latest Research Excellence Framework (2021).

Bespoke employability training

Our dedicated support team will help you present yourself at your best for the next step of your career.

Top 20 UK research department

according to the Times Higher Education ranking of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

Explore Mathematics funding for postgraduate researchers and wider postgraduate support.

Supervision

You'll be assigned a supervisor who will guide your work throughout your time with us. We'll match your research interests to their area of expertise.

Training and support

Throughout your course you'll have a supervisor to support you and guide your research. 

Work on your thesis is monitored by regular meetings of the Thesis Advisory Panel (at least once every six months for a full-time student and once a year for part-time students). The panel will review the progress of your research and provide additional advice and guidance.

You'll be taught and supervised by staff who themselves produce internationally renowned research. There is a supportive atmosphere among the graduate students and staff are on hand to give you the help you need.

Course location

This course is run by the Department of Mathematics.

The Department of Mathematics is located in James College on Campus West. 

Entry requirements

To apply for these courses you should hold, or expect to hold, an undergraduate degree in which mathematics has formed a substantial part of the course, with a 2:1 or first-class honours (or overseas equivalent). Assessment of your application will include consideration of your full academic record, including progress on courses you are still studying.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must provide evidence of your ability.

Check your English language requirements

Apply for the MPhil

Apply for the PhD

Take a look at the supporting documents you may need for your application.

Find out more about how to apply .

You don't need to provide a formal research proposal, but you should include a short statement on the area(s) of mathematics you wish to work in. In the personal statement section of the application form you should tell us about why you want to undertake a research degree. You should also include details of any relevant experience you have, such as a summer project or a topic that you have researched on your own.

There isn't a deadline for applying to join a research programme. If you're an International student, it's best to apply at least three months prior to your intended start date to avoid any delays in applying for your accommodation and/or visa. For both Home and International students, if you wish to be considered for Departmental funding, the main round of funding will be allocated in early March, with shortlisting and interviews taking place during February. Other sources of funding may have their own deadlines.

Identify a supervisor

Before applying, please look at the lists of academic staff in each of our research groups to see if there is a prospective supervisor working in an area which relates to your own research interests. You're welcome to email a prospective supervisor informally to find out more about their research or to ask if they might be considering taking on a postgraduate researcher.

Find a supervisor

As part of your application, you'll be invited to an interview (either face-to-face or online). If your first language is not English, you should be fluent enough to speak confidently about your intended area of research and discuss your mathematical background and interests with a panel of academics.

Careers and skills

Our dedicated careers team offers specific support, including a programme of professional researcher development and careers workshops and 1:1 career support sessions. These will help to build up your employability portfolio and improve your skills and experience outside of your research work.

Career opportunities

Our graduates have gone on to work in a wide range of sectors and with well-known employers including:

• PricewaterhouseCoopers
• BAE Systems
• NHS Digital

Discover York

We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to deluxe.

Discover more about our researchers, our facilities, and why York is the perfect choice for your research degree.

Graduate Research School

Connect with researchers across all disciplines to get the most out of your research project.

Meet us online or on campus

Find out all you need to know about applying to York

Scholarships

Find scholarships to support your studies

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Mathematics PhD

Key information.

• 95%  of our research overall in Mathematical Sciences was assessed to be world leading or internationally excellent  (REF 2021)  
• analysis and partial differential equations
• geometry and topology
• mathematical physics
• mathematical biology
• numerical analysis and scientific computing
• probability and statistics.

My PhD work may soon inform marketing campaigns of our industrial partners. This experience will make me a strong candidate in the job market for data analysts. ” Shane Black Mathematics PhD

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

Masters and P h D events

Meet us on campus or online

Book your place

Entry requirements

• UK requirements
• International requirements

Please select your country from the list.

Philippines

Saudi arabia, south africa, south korea, switzerland, united arab emirates, my country is not listed.

If your country is not listed, you need to contact us and find out the qualification level you should have for this course. Contact us

English language requirements

Ielts (academic).

Standard level (6.0 overall, including at least 6.0 in each component).

IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course.  Find out more about IELTS

We accept IELTS One Skills Retake.

We do not accept IELTS Online.

Check full details of our English Language requirements and find out more about some of the alternative English language qualifications listed below

Alternative English language qualifications

Proficiency tests, cambridge advanced certificate in english (cae).

169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill.

We would normally expect the CAE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test.  Find out more about Cambridge English: Advanced

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

We would normally expect the CPE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test.  Find out more about Cambridge English: Proficiency

LanguageCert International ESOL SELT

Standard level (International ESOL SELT B2 with a minimum of 36 in each component)

LanguageCert International ESOL scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about LanguageCert SELT

We only accept LanguageCert when taken at SELT Test Centres. We do not accept the online version.

Pearson PTE Academic

Standard level (59 overall, including at least 59 in all four skills)

PTE (Academic) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about Pearson (PTE Academic)

We do not accept the PTE Academic Online test.

TOEFL (iBT)

Standard level 80 overall, including at least 19 in Listening, 19 in Reading, 21 in Speaking, 21 in Writing.

TOEFL (iBT) scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about TOEFL (iBT)

We do not accept TOEFL (iBT) Home Edition.

The TOEFL Institution Code for the University of Sussex is 9166.

English language qualifications

As/a-level (gce).

Grade C or above in English Language.

Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE)/ AS or A Level: grade C or above in Use of English.

GCE O-level

Grade C or above in English.

Brunei/Cambridge GCE O-level in English:  grades 1-6.

Singapore/Cambridge GCE O-level in English:  grades 1-6.

GCSE or IGCSE

Grade C or above in English as a First Language (Grade 4 or above in GCSE from 2017).

Grade B or above in English as a Second Language.

Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate

If awarded before 1993:  grades 1-6 in English language.

If awarded between 1993 and 2005:  grades A-D in English language.

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)

 Level 4, including at least 3 in each component in English Language.

Indian School Certificate (Standard XII)

The Indian School Certificate is accepted at the grades below when awarded by the following examination boards:

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) – English Core only:  70%

Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) - English:  70% 

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)

English A or English B at grade 5 or above.

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education

Grades A - C in English language

Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) 1119/GCE O-level

If taken before the end of 2008:  grades 1-6 in English Language.

If taken from 2009 onwards:  grade C or above in English Language.

The qualification must be jointly awarded by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).

West African Senior School Certificate

Grades A1-C6 (1-6) in English language when awarded by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO).

Country exceptions

Select to see the list of exempt english-speaking countries.

If you are a national of one of the countries below, or if you have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree or higher in one of these countries, you will normally meet our English requirement. Note that qualifications obtained by distance learning or awarded by studying outside these countries cannot be accepted for English language purposes.

You will normally be expected to have completed the qualification within two years before starting your course at Sussex. If the qualification was obtained earlier than this, we would expect you to be able to demonstrate that you have maintained a good level of English, for example by living in an English-speaking country or working in an occupation that required you to use English regularly and to a high level.

Please note that this list is determined by the UK’s Home Office, not by the University of Sussex.

List of exempt countries: 

• Antigua and Barbuda
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• The British Overseas Territories
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United Kingdom

** Canada: you must be a national of Canada; other nationals not on this list who have a degree from a Canadian institution will not normally be exempt from needing to provide evidence of English.

English language support

If you don’t meet the English language requirements for your degree, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course

• Visas and immigration

Admissions information for applicants

If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us

• How to apply

If you’d like to join us as a research student, there are two main routes:

• browse funded projects in this subject area
• browse our potential supervisors and propose your own research project.

Find out how to apply for a PhD at Sussex

Full-time and part-time study

Choose to work on your research full time or part time, to fit around your work and personal life. For details  about part-time study, contact us at  [email protected]

PhD or MPhil?

You can choose to study for a PhD or an MPhil. PhD and MPhil degrees differ in duration and in the extent of your research work.

• For a PhD, your research work makes a substantial original contribution to knowledge or understanding in your chosen field.
• For an MPhil, your work is an independent piece of research but in less depth than for a PhD. You’ll graduate with the degree title Master of Philosophy. You might be able to change to a PhD while you study for an MPhil.

Our supervisors

My PhD has been the most challenging and rewarding part of my life so far. The University of Sussex and especially my supervisor have been crucial in my development as a young professional aiming for a career in academia .” James Van Yperen   Mathematics PhD

Explore our research interests and find potential supervisors.

Dr Miroslav Chlebik

Reader in Mathematics

[email protected]

View profile of Miroslav Chlebik

Dr Masoumeh Dashti

Senior Lecturer in Mathematics

[email protected]

View profile of Masoumeh Dashti

Prof Peter Giesl

Professor of Mathematics

[email protected]

View profile of Peter Giesl

Dr Gabriel Koch

[email protected]

View profile of Gabriel Koch

Dr Konstantinos Koumatos

[email protected]

View profile of Konstantinos Koumatos

Prof Michael Melgaard

Professor of Mathematics (Analysis and Partial Differential Equations)

[email protected]

View profile of Michael Melgaard

Prof Ali Taheri

[email protected]

View profile of Ali Taheri

Prof Xavier Calmet

Professor of Physics

[email protected]

View profile of Xavier Calmet

Prof Konstantin Blyuss

Professor of Applied Mathematics

[email protected]

View profile of Konstantin Blyuss

Prof Yuliya Kyrychko

[email protected]

View profile of Yuliya Kyrychko

Dr Omar Lakkis

[email protected]

View profile of Omar Lakkis

Prof Charalambos Makridakis

Professor Of Mathematics

[email protected]

View profile of Charalambos Makridakis

Prof Vanessa Styles

Head of School MPS

[email protected]

View profile of Vanessa Styles

Dr Chandrasekhar Venkataraman

Senior Lecturer In Mathematics

[email protected]

View profile of Chandrasekhar Venkataraman

Dr Antoine Dahlqvist

Senior Lecturer in Statistics and Probab

[email protected]

View profile of Antoine Dahlqvist

Dr Nicos Georgiou

[email protected]

View profile of Nicos Georgiou

Dr Nicholas Simm

Senior Research Fellow

[email protected]

View profile of Nicholas Simm

Dr Vladislav Vysotskiy

Reader in Statistics and Probability

[email protected]

View profile of Vladislav Vysotskiy

Dr Minmin Wang

Senior Lecturer

[email protected]

View profile of Minmin Wang

Funding and fees

How can i fund my course, funded projects and scholarships.

Our aim is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to despite financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique individuals. Don’t miss out on scholarships – check the specific application deadlines for funding opportunities. Note that funded projects aren’t available for all our PhDs.

Up to 10 4 year EPSRC scholarships in Quantum Information Science and Technologies

Find out more

£3,000 scholarships available to environmental influencers bringing about real-world behaviour change

£800 scholarship available to reward talented organ player studying on any course at Sussex.

Scholarships of £800 are available to reward talented musicians studying on any course at Sussex

PhD studentship in the Numerical Analysis and Scientific Computing Group

PhD studentship in the Groups of “Mathematics Applied to Biology” and “Numerical Analysis and Scientific Computing”

Cash scholarships available for students who have demonstrated sporting excellence

Up to 10 scholarships for outstanding PhD students holding China Scholarship Council awards

Applying for USA Federal Student Aid?

If any part of your funding, at any time, is through USA federal Direct Loan funds, you will be registered on a separate version of this degree which does not include the possibility of distance learning which is prohibited under USA federal regulations. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid .

Part-time work

We advertise around 2,500 part-time jobs a year so you can make money and gain work experience. We have a special scheme to employ students on campus, wherever possible.

Find out more about careers and employability

How much does it cost?

Fees for self-funding students.

Home students: £4,786 per year for full-time students

Channel Islands and Isle of Man students: £4,786 per year for full-time students

International students: £21,500 per year for full-time students

Home PhD student fees are set at the level recommended by United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) annually, rising in line with inflation. Overseas fees are subject to an annual increase - see details on our tuition fees page

Additional costs

Note about additional costs.

Please note that all costs are best estimates based on current market values. Activities may be subject to unavoidable change in response to Government advice. We’ll let you know at the earliest opportunity. We review estimates every year and they may vary with inflation. Find out how to budget for student life .

Empirical research costs

On top of your PhD fees and living costs, you may also need to cover some research and training costs, relevant to your research project. These costs will depend on your research topic and training needs, but may include: - travel (to archives, collections or scientific facilities) - a laptop - overseas fieldwork costs (travel and accommodation, and language training) - conference costs (travel, registration fees and accommodation) - laboratory consumables and workshop materials - participant costs - transcription or translation costs - open-access publication costs. If you have a scholarship from one of the UK Research Councils, your scholarship should cover these types of costs. You'll receive details of how to claim this additional funding. If you're self funded, or if your scholarship doesn’t cover these costs, check with the Research and Enterprise Co-ordinator in your School for details of School or Doctoral School funding that may be available.

• Living costs

Find out typical living costs for studying at Sussex

Find out about our terms and conditions

Explore our campus

Experience Sussex life in our virtual tour.

Start your virtual tour

PhD Information Sessions

Visit campus and chat to staff and students. Book your place

Online PhD Sessions

Join a live webchat. Book your place

International

Meet us in your country

Course enquiries

+44 (0)1273 876787

Send us a message

Admissions enquiries

If you haven’t applied yet:

+44 (0)1273 876762 mps-pgrsupport@​sussex.ac.uk

Find out about the Department of Mathematics

After you’ve applied:

+44 (0)1273 877773 [email protected]

Find out how to apply

Quick links

• Guide to PhD study
• PhD support
• Academic facilities
• Open Days and events
• Accommodation
• International students
• Student life
• Order a printed prospectus

What do you want to do next?

• Courses Browse our courses by subject area
• Sussex Life Find out about life at Sussex
• Visit Come to a PhD Open Evening
• Apply Find out how to apply

Pure Mathematics Research

Key information.

We have a wide range of research opportunities in the four groups that make up the Pure section of the Department of Mathematics, namely the Analysis, Geometry, Number Theory and Probability groups.

We recommend that you identify a broad research area that you are interested in and explore the webpages of the relevant research group(s) . It might be the case that your interest spans more than one group.

You will find links to the personal pages of each of the academic staff in each group and you should try to identify a potential supervisor, who you can then contact directly to discuss further.

You can explore potential supervisors on our research group pages below. Details on how to make an application .

Head of Department: Professor Steven Gilmour

Our department has a large number of active and internationally renowned researchers and postdoctoral research fellows. The research groups organise regular seminars, where top-ranking scientists from around the world present new results, which our research students can witness first hand. The students also organise their own informal seminars and discussion groups. The lively environment and the exceptionally friendly atmosphere at our department contribute to the high success rate of our students. You can apply for supervision in all fields of interest of our staff members. The department provides funding for PhD students to attend suitable schools and conferences during their studies.

More than 80% of the PhD students at the department are fully funded through a number of funding schemes; the most common is departmental funding which covers tuition as well as a living stipend. In recent years, on average, 10 students per year have been admitted to a PhD programme with funding from the department.

• How to apply
• Fees or Funding

For funding opportunities please explore these pages:

• List of funding opportunities
• External funding opportunities for International students
• King’s-China Scholarship Council PhD Scholarship programme (K-CSC)

UK Tuition 2023/24

Full time tuition fees:

£6,540 per year (MPhil/PhD, Mathematics Research)

Part Time Tuition fees:

£3,270 per year (MPhil/PhD, Mathematics Research)

International Tuition Fees 2023/24

£24,360 per year (MPhil/PhD, Mathematics Research)

£12,180 per year (MPhil/PhD, Mathematics Research)

UK Tuition 2024/25

£6,936 per year (MPhil/PhD, Mathematics Research)

£3,468 per year (MPhil/PhD, Mathematics Research)

International Tuition Fees 2024/25

£26,070 per year (MPhil/PhD, Mathematics Research)

£13,035 per year (MPhil/PhD, Mathematics Research)

Mathematics Research with University of Hong Kong or Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin

£24,360 per year (MPhil/PhD, Mathematics Research with University of Hong Kong)

£24,360 per year (MPhil/PhD, Mathematics Research with Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin)

Part time tuition fees: £12,180 (MPhil/PhD, Mathematics Research with Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin)

£26,070 per year (MPhil/PhD, Mathematics Research with University of Hong Kong)

£26,070 per year (MPhil/PhD, Mathematics Research with Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin)

Part time tuition fees: £13,035 (MPhil/PhD, Mathematics Research with Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin)

All of these fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions.

Bench fees will be applicable to the non-award research programme for visiting students.

• Study environment

Base campus

Strand Campus

Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.

You will be assigned a supervisor with whom you will work closely. You will also attend research seminars and take part in other research related activities in your research group, the department and more widely in the University of London. We do not specify fixed attendance hours, but we expect a good level of attendance, and our research students benefit from informal interaction with each other. You will be provided with access to working and storage space, as well as a laptop. On arrival you will discuss your research programme with your supervisor, and you will attend general induction sessions.

Postgraduate training

Carrying out research is learned in apprenticeship mode as PhD student works with a supervisor. Our PhD students receive various forms of training during their period of research, eg attending courses in the London Taught Courses Centre, attendance at EPSRC summer schools; provision of advanced lecture courses; College training courses for graduates who will give tutorial teaching to undergraduates; weekly seminars in the area of your research; frequent research group meetings; attendance at national and international conferences and research meetings.

Communication skills are developed by preparing and presenting seminars in the department, assisted by your supervisor; apprenticeship in writing papers and, in due course, the PhD thesis.

To build your teaching skills and experience, you are strongly encouraged to apply to become a Graduate Teaching Assistant, giving tutorials to our undergraduates (training is provided)

• Entry requirements
• Research groups

The Analysis Group's research interests focus mainly on PDEs, operator theory and spectral theory.

Members of the Geometry Group carry out research on topics within the following areas: algebraic geometry, cohomology theories, differential geometry, geometric analysis, homogeneous space, Lie groups, mirror symmetry, and symplectic geometry.

Number Theory

King's College London has a strong tradition of research in number theory, and this continues today with a particular emphasis on algebraic and representation-theoretic aspects of the subject.

Probability

The Probability group in the Department of Mathematics at King's College London.

Centre for Doctoral Studies

NMES Graduate School

A supportive and engaging environment for PhD students

Funding & Scholarships for PhD students

The Centre for Doctoral Studies helps secure funding for students...

NMES Graduate School: Virtual Open Event Session One

The NMES Graduate School Virtual Open Events for prospective postgraduate...

NMES Graduate School: Virtual Open Event Session Two

• School of Mathematics and Statistics

PhD opportunities

Our PhD programme is your chance to join the next generation of world-class researchers in mathematics and statistics, to contribute to knowledge and develop transferable research skills.

We recognise barriers faced by under-represented groups, and encourage enquiries or applications from all qualified students with a love of mathematics and a strong desire to explore it further, as part of a welcoming and inclusive community.

Advice for PhD applicants

PhD student profiles

Our Research pages list the research interests and contact details of our academic staff: you can use these to get in touch and discuss PhD opportunities and potential projects in their field, some of which may be listed below.

You can find details of recent PhD theses completed in SoMaS, in the White Rose Repository, by inserting the following link:  https://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/view/iau/Sheffield=2ESOM/

Projects may come with specific funding (for example, from a research council or Centre for Doctoral Training) to cover your tuition fees and living expenses. More often, this is not the case, but you may be able to  apply for a scholarship .

Once you have found a supervisor you wish to study with, find out  how to apply .

Our standard conditional offer is to require a UK First Class MMath or MSc Distinction (or international equivalent), in Mathematics or a relevant related subject. That is modified to 2.1 MMath or MSc Merit in the following research groups: Statistics, Solar Physics and Space Plasma Research Centre (SP2RC). It is modified to 1st BSc or MMath, or MSc Distinction, in the Probability research group

Our decision on whether to offer you a place will also be based on the research proposal or personal statement you submit, your degree transcripts (and certificates, if available), your masters dissertation/project (if applicable), your CV and academic references (including your masters dissertation/project supervisor, if applicable), and any interviews and additional tasks we ask you to complete.

All documents need to be provided in English, including transcripts and references.

Students will also need to meet our English language requirements , and international students may need to get clearance through the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) .

If you would like any more information or have any questions, please email [email protected] .

Related information

Departmental scholarships

How to apply

Search for PhD opportunities at Sheffield and be part of our world-leading research.

School of Mathematics

PhD in Mathematics

We are proud of our world-class reputation for research excellence and our commitment to provide the highest quality training for our postgraduate students.

The School of Mathematics offers a cutting-edge PhD programme, and we welcome applications from national and international students all year round. Our postgraduate students enjoy a friendly and stimulating environment, and during your PhD you will have the opportunity to develop your mathematical research skills, collaborate with leading researchers and apply your expertise across a range of academic areas.

Research Areas

Review our many research areas for detailed accounts of our various research themes and related academic staff.

Research Environment

Discover our PhD research environment and the various opportunities offered to our research students.

PhD Projects

View some of the PhD projects, offered by our academics for 2024/25 academic year. 

Funding Opportunities

To receive full consideration for funding for our programme commencing September 2024, applications should be submitted before 5 January 2024.

Project-specific funding opportunities may have later application deadlines, please see the PhD Project pages for further details.

Please note that we are not able to consider applications submitted after the programme is full.

Read our Prospectus

Find out more about the programme including entry requirements and fees.

[email protected]

When you’re doing research, you can direct it yourself; you have more freedom. It's the only thing I can imagine myself doing.

Alternatively, use our A–Z index

Attend an open day

Discover more about postgraduate research

PhD Pure Mathematics / Application and selection

Year of entry: 2024

• View full page

How to apply

Apply online

In your application you’ll need to include:

• The name of this programme
• Your research project title (i.e. the advertised project name or proposed project name) or area of research
• Your proposed supervisor’s name
• If you already have funding or you wish to be considered for any of the available funding
• A supporting statement (see 'Advice to Applicants for what to include)
• Details of your previous university level study
• Names and contact details of your two referees.

Advice to applicants

• Identified the specific research project, CDT or dual-award you'd like to apply for or, if you already have funding, determined your own research project and title and discussed this with a supervisor.
• Contacted the project supervisor and spoken to them about your suitability for the project.  
• Browsed funding you are eligible for and discussed this with your supervisor, if you don't already have your own funding.  
• Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research, the area(s) of research you’re interested in, why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed.
• Certificates and transcripts: Certificates and final transcripts of any completed university-level qualifications and interim transcripts for qualifications in progress. If your transcripts are in a language other than English, you must provide an official English translation. If your current weighted average mark or GPA is not included on these documents, please also include an official document from your university verifying this information.
• CV : Summarising your academic record and highlighting experience that demonstrates your potential to conduct research.  
• English language proof: A certificate or evidence demonstrating your English language ability and proficiency. Applications can be considered without this evidence but any offer would be conditional on meeting minimum requirements.  
• Referees: Names and contact details of two academic referees who we can get in contact with and will support your application.

Interview requirements

It is normally possible to defer entry to another entry point within the academic year, with the approval of your supervisory team and funder (if applicable).

You can request a deferral by contacting the Doctoral Academy Admissions Team by emailing [email protected] .  If you request deferral for entry in a subsequent academic year you may be required to re-apply.

• Doing a PhD in Mathematics
• Doing a PhD

What Does a PhD in Maths Involve?

Maths is a vast subject, both in breadth and in depth. As such, there’s a significant number of different areas you can research as a math student. These areas usually fall into one of three categories: pure mathematics, applied mathematics or statistics. Some examples of topics you can research are:

• Number theory
• Numerical analysis
• String theory
• Random matrix theory
• Graph theory
• Quantum mechanics
• Statistical forecasting
• Matroid theory
• Control theory

Besides this, because maths focuses on addressing interdisciplinary real-world problems, you may work and collaborate with other STEM researchers. For example, your research topic may relate to:

• Biomechanics and transport processes
• Evidence-based medicine
• Fluid dynamics
• Financial mathematics
• Machine learning
• Theoretical and Computational Optimisation

What you do day-to-day will largely depend on your specific research topic. However, you’ll likely:

• Continually read literature – This will be to help develop your knowledge and identify current gaps in the overall body of knowledge surrounding your research topic.
• Undertake research specific to your topic – This can include defining ideas, proving theorems and identifying relationships between models.
• Collect and analyse data – This could comprise developing computational models, running simulations and interpreting forecasts etc.
• Liaise with others – This could take many forms. For example, you may work shoulder-to-shoulder with individuals from different disciplines supporting your research, e.g. Computer scientists for machine learning-based projects. Alternatively, you may need frequent input from those who supplied the data for your research, e.g. Financial institutions or biological research colleagues.
• Attend a wide range of lectures, seminars and events.

Browse PhD Opportunities in Mathematics

Application of artificial intelligence to multiphysics problems in materials design, study of the human-vehicle interactions by a high-end dynamic driving simulator, physical layer algorithm design in 6g non-terrestrial communications, machine learning for autonomous robot exploration, detecting subtle but clinically significant cognitive change in an ageing population, how long does it take to get a phd in maths.

The average programme duration for a mathematics PhD in the UK is 3 to 4 years for a full-time studying. Although not all universities offer part-time maths PhD programmes, those that do have a typical programme duration of 5 to 7 years.

Again, although the exact arrangement will depend on the university, most maths doctorates will require you to first register for an MPhil . At the end of your first year, your supervisor will assess your progress to decide whether you should be registered for a PhD.

Additional Learning Modules

Some Mathematics departments will require you to enrol on to taught modules as part of your programme. These are to help improve your knowledge and understanding of broader subjects within your field, for example, Fourier Analysis, Differential Geometry and Riemann Surfaces. Even if taught modules aren’t compulsory in several universities, your supervisor will still encourage you to attend them for your development.

Most UK universities will also have access to specialised mathematical training courses. The most common of these include Pure Mathematics courses hosted by Mathematics Access Grid Conferencing ( MAGIC ) and London Taught Course Centre ( LTCC ) and Statistics courses hosted by Academy for PhD Training in Statistics ( APTS ).

What Are the Typical Entry Requirements for A PhD in Maths?

In the UK, the typical entry requirements for a Maths PhD is an upper second-class (2:1) Master’s degree (or international equivalent) in Mathematics or Statistics [1] .

However, there is some variation on this. From writing, the lowest entry requirement is an upper second-class (2:1) Bachelor’s degree in any math-related subject. The highest entry requirement is a first-class (1st) honours Master’s degree in a Mathematics or Statistics degree only.

It’s worth noting if you’re applying to a position which comes with funding provided directly by the Department, the entry requirements will usually be on the higher side because of their competitiveness.

In terms of English Language requirements, most mathematics departments require at least an overall IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.5, with no less than 6.0 in each individual subtest.

Tips to Consider when Making Your Application

When applying to any mathematics PhD, you’ll be expected to have a good understanding of both your subject field and the specific research topic you are applying to. To help show this, it’s advisable that you demonstrate recent engagement in your research topic. This could be by describing the significance of a research paper you recently read and outlining which parts interested you the most, and why. Additionally, you can discuss a recent mathematics event you attended and suggest ways in how what you learnt might apply to your research topic.

As with most STEM PhDs, most maths PhD professors prefer you to discuss your application with them directly before putting in a formal application. The benefits of this is two folds. First, you’ll get more information on what their department has to offer. Second, the supervisor can better discover your interest in the project and gauge whether you’d be a suitable candidate. Therefore, we encourage you to contact potential supervisors for positions you’re interested in before making any formal applications.

How Much Does a Maths PhD Typically Cost?

The typical tuition fee for a PhD in Maths in the UK is £4,407 per year for UK/EU students and £20,230 per year for international students. This, alongside the range in tuition fees you can expect, is summarised below:

Note: The above tuition fees are based on 12 UK Universities [1]  for 2020/21 Mathematic PhD positions. The typical fee has been taken as the median value.

In addition to the above, it’s not unheard of for research students to be charged a bench fee. In case you’re unfamiliar with a bench fee, it’s an annual fee additional to your tuition, which covers the cost of specialist equipment or resources associated with your research. This can include the upkeep of supercomputers you may use, training in specialist analysis software, or travelling to conferences. The exact fee will depend on your specific research topic; however, it should be minimal for most mathematic projects.

What Specific Funding Opportunities Are There for A PhD in Mathematics?

Alongside the usual funding opportunities available to all PhD Research students such as doctoral loans, departmental scholarships, there are a few other sources of funding available to math PhD students. Examples of these include:

You can find more information on these funding sources here: DiscoverPhDs funding guide .

What Specific Skills Do You Gain from Doing a PhD in Mathematics?

A doctorate in Mathematics not only demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning, but it also provides you with highly marketable skills. Besides subject-specific skills, you’ll also gain many transferable skills which will prove useful in almost all industries. A sample of these skills is listed below.

• Logical ability to consider and analyse complex issues,
• Commitment and persistence towards reaching research goals,
• Outstanding verbal and written skills,
• Strong attention to detail,
• The ability to liaise with others from unique disciple backgrounds and work as part of a team
• Holistic deduction and reasoning skills,
• Forming and explaining mathematical and logical solutions to a wide range of real-world problems,
• Exceptional numeracy skills.

What Jobs Can You Get with A Maths PhD?

One of the greatest benefits maths PostDocs will have is the ability to pursue a wide range of career paths. This is because all sciences are built on core principles which, to varying extents, are supported by the core principles of mathematics. As a result, it’s not uncommon to ask students what path they intend to follow after completing their degree and receive entirely different answers. Although not extensive by any means, the most common career paths Math PostDocs take are listed below:

• Academia – Many individuals teach undergraduate students at the university they studied at or ones they gained ties to during their research. This path is usually the preferred among students who want to continue focusing on mathematical theories and concepts as part of their career.
• Postdoctoral Researcher – Others continue researching with their University or with an independent organisation. This can be a popular path because of the opportunities it provides in collaborative working, supervising others, undertaking research and attending conferences etc.
• Finance – Because of their deepened analytical skills, it’s no surprise that many PostDocs choose a career in finance. This involves working for some of the most significant players in the financial district in prime locations including London, Frankfurt and Hong Kong. Specific job titles can include Actuarial, Investment Analyst or Risk Modeller.
• Computer Programming – Some students whose research involves computational mathematics launch their career as a computer programmer. Due to their background, they’ll typically work on specialised projects which require high levels of understanding on the problem at hand. For example, they may work with physicists and biomedical engineers to develop a software package that supports their more complex research.
• Data Analyst – Those who enjoy number crunching and developing complex models often go into data analytics. This can involve various niches such as forecasting or optimisation, across various fields such as marketing and weather.

What Are Some of The Typical Employers Who Hire Maths PostDocs?

As mentioned above, there’s a high demand for skilled mathematicians and statisticians across a broad range of sectors. Some typical employers are:

• Education – All UK and international universities
• Governments – STFC and Department for Transport
• Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals – NHS, GSK, Pfizer
• Finance & Banking – e.g. Barclays Capital, PwC and J. P. Morgan
• Computing – IBM, Microsoft and Facebook
• Engineering – Boeing, Shell and Dyson

The above is only a small selection of employers. In reality, mathematic PostDocs can work in almost any industry, assuming the role is numerical-based or data-driven.

How Much Can You Earn with A PhD in Maths?

As a mathematics PhD PostDoc, your earning potential will mostly depend on your chosen career path. Due to the wide range of options, it’s impossible to provide an arbitrary value for the typical salary you can expect.

However, if you pursue one of the below paths or enter their respective industry, you can roughly expect to earn [3] :

Academic Lecturer

• Approximately £30,000 – £35,000 starting salary
• Approximately £40,000 with a few years experience
• Approximately £45,000 – £55,000 with 10 years experience
• Approximately £60,000 and over with significant experience and a leadership role. Certain academic positions can earn over £80,000 depending on the management duties.

Actuary or Finance

• Approximately £35,000 starting salary
• Approximately £45,000 – £55,000 with a few years experience
• Approximately £70,000 and over with 10 years experience
• Approximately £180,000 and above with significant experience and a leadership role.

Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering

• Approximately £28,000 starting salary
• Approximately £35,000 – £40,000 with a few years experience
• Approximately £60,000 and over with 10 years experience

Data Analyst

• Approximately £45,000 – £50,000 with a few years experience
• Approximately £90,000 and above with significant experience and a leadership role.

Again, we stress that the above are indicative values only. Actual salaries will depend on the specific organisation and position and responsibilities of the individual.

Facts and Statistics About Maths PhD Holders

The below chart provides useful insight into the destination of Math PostDocs after completing their PhD. The most popular career paths from other of highest to lowest is education, information and communication, finance and scientific research, manufacturing and government.

Note: The above chart is based on ‘UK Higher Education Leavers’ data [2] between 2012/13 and 2016/17 and contains a data size of 200 PostDocs. The data was obtained from the Higher Education Statistics Agency ( HESA ).

Which Noteworthy People Hold a PhD in Maths?

Alan turing.

Alan Turing was a British Mathematician, WW2 code-breaker and arguably the father of computer science. Alongside his lengthy list of achievements, Turning achieved a PhD in Mathematics at Princeton University, New Jersey. His thesis titled ‘Systems of Logic Based on Ordinals’ focused on the concepts of ordinal logic and relative computing; you can read it online here . To this day, Turning pioneering works continues to play a fundamental role in shaping the development of artificial intelligence (AI).

Ruth Lawrence

Ruth Lawrence is a famous British–Israeli Mathematician well known within the academic community. Lawrence earned her PhD in Mathematics from Oxford University at the young age of 17! Her work focused on algebraic topology and knot theory; you can read her interesting collection of research papers here . Among her many contributions to Maths, her most notable include the representation of the braid groups, more formally known as Lawrence–Krammer representations.

Emmy Noether

Emmy Noether was a German mathematician who received her PhD from the University of Erlangen, Germany. Her research has significantly contributed to both abstract algebra and theoretical physics. Additionally, she proved a groundbreaking theorem important to Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity. In doing so, her theorem, Noether’s theorem , is regarded as one of the most influential developments in physics.

Other Useful Resources

Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) – IMA is the UK’s professional body for mathematicians. It contains a wide range of useful information, from the benefits of further education in Maths to details on grants and upcoming events.

Maths Careers – Math Careers is a site associated with IMA that provides a wide range of advice to mathematicians of all ages. It has a section dedicated to undergraduates and graduates and contains a handful of information about progressing into research.

Resources for Graduate Students – Produced by Dr Mak Tomford, this webpage contains an extensive collection of detailed advice for Mathematic PhD students. Although the site uses US terminology in places, don’t let that put you off as this resource will prove incredibly helpful in both applying to and undertaking your PhD.

Student Interviews – Still wondering whether a PhD is for you? If so, our collection of PhD interviews would be a great place to get an insider perspective. We’ve interviewed a wide range of PhD students across the UK to find out what doing a PhD is like, how it’s helped them and what advice they have for other prospective students who may be thinking of applying to one. You can read our insightful collection of interviews here .

[1] Universities used to determine the typical (median) and range of entry requirements and tuition fees for 2020/21 Mathematics PhD positions.

• http://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Graduate/Degree-programmes-2020/MPhilPhD-Mathematics
• https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/dphil-mathematics?wssl=1
• https://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/mapmpdpms
• https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/research-degrees/mathematics-mphil-phd
• http://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/2020/sci/phd-mathematics/
• https://www.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate/mathematics-phd
• https://www.maths.ed.ac.uk/school-of-mathematics/studying-here/pgr/phd-application
• https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/postgraduate-courses/mathematics-phd/
• https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/phd/degrees/mathematics-phd
• https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/programmes/list/05325/phd-pure-mathematics/
• https://warwick.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/courses-2020/mathematicsphd/
• https://www.exeter.ac.uk/pg-research/degrees/mathematics/

[2] Higher Education Leavers Statistics: UK, 2016/17 – Outcomes by subject studied – https://www.hesa.ac.uk/news/28-06-2018/sfr250-higher-education-leaver-statistics-subjects

[3] Typical salaries have been extracted from a combination of the below resources. It should be noted that although every effort has been made to keep the reported salaries as relevant to Math PostDocs as possible (i.e. filtering for positions which specify a PhD qualification as one of their requirements/preferences), small inaccuracies may exist due to data availability.

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PhD in Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics

• Prospective Students
• Postgraduate Study

This is a three year research programme culminating in submission and examination of a single research thesis.  Students joining the course will often have completed prior study at a level comparable to our Part III (MMath/MASt) course and many have postgraduate experience.  Our students therefore begin their PhD research with a good understanding of advanced material, which they build on in various ways throughout the course of their PhD studies. Our PhD students might have written several papers before they submit their dissertation, and can go on to win academic positions at leading institutions around the world.

Structure of the PhD

Students are required to undertake a minimum of nine terms of research (i.e. three years). Students are not registered for the PhD in the first instance but are instead admitted on a probationary basis. All students are assessed for registration towards the end of their first year of full-time study (usually June). This assessment is based on a short written report submitted by the candidate for review by two assessors. In the fifth term there might also be a further assessment of progress, for which students submit a longer piece of written work and receive an oral assessment.

Research areas

The topic of the research thesis may be chosen from the wide range of subjects studied within the Department. It is expected that applicants to the PhD course will investigate the research interests and expertise of academic staff within DPMMS prior to making a formal application. This should be done by consulting the dedicated page on finding a supervisor , as well as  research pages of our website , and  individual profiles of our academic staff .

Additional training and opportunities

Whilst there are no mandatory taught components to the PhD degree, students may wish to undertake specific courses or further training to expand their knowledge, either for personal interest or to directly assist with their PhD research. All students are encouraged to participate and attend the wide range of lectures, seminars and events on offer within DPMMS and the Centre for Mathematical Sciences.

Many students submit a prize essay at the beginning of their fifth term. The best essays each year are of a scale and quality already adequate for a PhD dissertation, incorporating work already, or about to be, published. We intend that our students publish their work in leading journals. Our PhD students might have written several papers before they submit their dissertation, and can go on to win academic positions at leading institutions around the world.

DPMMS also promotes and encourages researcher development and transferable skills training. This can take the form of assisting with Part III catch-up lectures, attendance at skills based training sessions, or presenting their work at seminars and conferences. The University also offers training via the Researcher Development Programme .

There is no requirement for PhD students to teach but there are plenty of opportunities to do so, such as offering supervisions for third year undergraduates (this involves the supervisor sitting with a pair of students for an hour, discussing their work). PhD students might help too with running examples classes for Part III students.

Academic entry requirements

The usual minimum entry requirement is a first class honours degree, awarded after a four-year course in mathematics or mathematics/statistics, or a three-year degree together with a one-year postgraduate course in those areas. Part III (MMath/MASt) of the Mathemtical Tripos provides such a course and most of the PhD students in DPMMS have come through this route. The others have usually completed at least a comparable four-year undergraduate course, and many have postgraduate experience. Entry is competitive and a higher level of preparation may be required.

Funding opportunities

Applicants will be considered for Department funding. This may include a Research Council or  Heilbronn Doctoral Partnership  award. Receipt of this funding is not guaranteed and all applicants, irrespective of fee-status, are expected to apply to other funding schemes for which they are eligible. Applicants are advised to investigate potential sources of funding as early as possible.

Students should consult the Postgraduate Admissions website for details of the University Postgraduate Funding Competition. Other University wide funding opportunities can be found via the Funding Search Tool .

All applications for postgraduate study must be made via the University’s Postgraduate Admissions Office and details on the process for application and the supporting documentation required is provided on their website . It is important that applicants read all the relevant information and collate the necessary supporting documents prior to starting the application process. If you are an MMath student (i.e., Cambridge Part III student) you should include one reference from your College Director of Studies.

The University values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity. The Department would particularly welcome applications from women, since women are, and have historically been, underrepresented in our student cohorts.

Please ensure that you use the correct course code when making your application: MAPM21

Finding a supervisor 

The topic of the research thesis may be chosen from the wide range of subjects studied within the Department. It is expected that applicants to the PhD course will investigate the research interests and expertise of academic staff within DPMMS prior to making a formal application. This should be done by consulting the  dedicated page on finding a supervisor , as well as  research pages of our website , and  individual profiles of our academic staff .

Applicants are encouraged to make informal contact with  potential supervisors  prior to making an application. Applicants should clearly state in the 'Proposed supervisor' field of the application form the name(s) of those member(s) of academic staff with whom they wish to work, and provide a clear indication of the areas or topics in which they intend to undertake research in the 'Research Summary' field. We do not currently require submission of a separate detailed research proposal.

Application and funding deadlines

We strongly encourage all applicants to apply by  12:00am (midnight) UK time on 4 January 2024.   Anyone wishing to apply after this date should contact the  DPMMS Course Administrator  before submitting an application. Students wishing to be considered for Departmental funding, or as part of the University  Postgraduate Funding Competition  must apply by this deadline. If you are a USA citizen, resident in the USA, and wish to be considered for  Gates funding,  please note the deadline for applications is in October.

Selection process

After the January closing date, we will review all the applications received and contact those who have been shortlisted to invite them for an interview. Space limitations may mean that late applications cannot be considered.

Interviews take place either in Cambridge or online. During the interview, the panel will try to ascertain the extent of the applicant's mathematical knowledge and experience. We aim to contact all interviewees within a week or two of the interview with a provisional outcome. It is important to note, however, that formal offers of admission can only be made by the University’s Postgraduate Admissions Office.

Applicants should expect to receive a decision within twelve weeks following the submission of their completed application and required supporting documents.  Applicants should check the Applicant Portal for formal notification of the outcome of their application.

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Please read our PhD applicant Frequently Asked Questions . For any enquiries not covered by the FAQs, you can email us on [email protected] .

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Mathematics PhD

• Full-time: Up to 4 years
• Part-time: Up to 8 years
• Start date: Multiple available
• UK fees: £5,100
• International fees: £21,500

Research overview

Follow your passion for research Join the School of Mathematical Sciences for the chance to work on projects in both fundamental and applied mathematical sciences that have an impact in the modern world. Projects cover the areas of:

• Pure mathematics
• Applied mathematics
• Mathematical physics
• Statistics and probability
• Mathematical education & scholarship.

Why choose Nottingham for your PhD? We're looking for passionate research students to help us shape the future of mathematical sciences and make a difference to the world around us.

Our research projects range from proposing new mathematical structures and uncovering new fundamental physics, to using mathematical sciences to produce sustainable materials, enhance future healthcare, and develop artificial intelligence.

Work is organised around exciting research themes, some of which focus on more traditional areas and others target emerging and multi-disciplinary problems:

• algebra, arithmetic, and their geometries
• computational statistics and machine learning
• data-driven modelling and computation
• epidemic modelling
• fluid mechanics
• geometry and symmetry
• mathematical medicine and biology
• mathematical neuroscience
• multiscale modelling and heterogeneous media
• numerical and applied analysis
• quantum information and metrology
• quantum mathematics
• real, complex and functional analysis
• symbolic computational mathematics
• teaching and learning in mathematics higher education
• wave modelling

Find out more about our research:

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/mathematics/research/research.aspx

Research Excellence Framework 2021

• 97% of our research outputs are rated as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent'
• The school was placed in the top 3 for quality of research environment across all mathematical sciences units in the UK
• 100% of the impact from the school is rated as either ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’

This is highlighted in our commitment to attracting bright minds and inspiring academics to conduct mathematical research throughout the department.

Find out how our mathematical research is revolutionising the global testing of future drug use

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/vision/making-new-medicines-safer

Course content

Throughout your PhD you will focus on learning what information is already published and identifying gaps in knowledge. You will start to formulate your own research questions and develop skills to become a professional researcher.

• Study the research literature in your field, guided by your PhD advisor
• Attend seminars on modern research
• Take additional training in mathematical sciences and research skills
• Conduct research and obtain novel results
• Be part of an active and welcoming community of research students
• Write annual reports and journal publications to communicate your research findings
• Complete a written thesis of up to 100,000 words
• Take a verbal examination (viva voce) where you defend your research to an expert examination panel

The emphasis is on both broadening your knowledge base and improving the skills and techniques relevant for doing research on thesis-specific matters.

The PhD programme includes a training element, which may include research work as well as traditional taught material, and will include assessed components, designed to support your research.

In each year you will have a regular meetings with your supervisor and an annual review.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.

Meeting our English language requirements

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our  Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.

We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis. We may also consider relevant work experience.

If you are unsure whether your qualifications or work experience are relevant, contact us .

How to indicate your research interests

You do not need to submit a detailed proposal, but you *must* indicate a research theme(s) , or Centre of Excellence that interests you and/or name specific academic staff members who could be your potential project supervisor and/or name specific projects.

• View our research themes >
• View our current research projects >

Further information required when applying

• Brief motivation for doing a PhD
• Your academic record and research experience
• Sources of funding (if applicable)

Application process and deadlines

We encourage applicants to apply before 7th January  to have the best chances of being awarded a fully-funded PhD scholarship (covers stipend and fees).

Stage 1 : Your application is assessed, and if successful, you will be invited for an interview. This is a video call or in person, if possible

Stage 2 : If successful at the interview stage, you will be considered for a fully-funded PhD scholarship.

When will you know if scholarship awarded?

• If applied before 7 January, result will be known around mid-February
• Late applications will be considered in subsequent rounds, with results known around mid April (if applied by 7 March) , and mid-June (if applied by 7 May ), and possibly later rounds depending on remaining available scholarships.

If you have funding support, intend to apply for an external scholarship, or are self-funded, you can apply throughout the year. Please indicate your funding details clearly in your application.

Study duration

Our standard duration of study is 3.5 years, although 3 or 4 year study is also available in some cases.

Our step-by-step guide contains everything you need to know about applying for postgraduate research.

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice .

We do not anticipate any extra significant costs, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses. You should be able to access most of the books and journals you’ll need through our libraries.

We offer a number of projects each year for which scholarship funding are available, including from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council ( EPSRC ) and the University.

First class or distinction results are required as a minimum for funding.

There are many ways to fund your research degree, from scholarships to government loans.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

Student support

The School of Mathematical Sciences provides dedicated support to its postgraduate researchers, including:

• Access to an appropriate personal computer
• Financial support to attend conferences and workshops
• Opportunity to earn extra money by supporting our teaching with demonstrating and marking
• You have a right to holiday leave, sick leave, and maternity/parental leave. You may also be able to switch to part-time (50%) PhD, depending on the approval of your funder

Wellbeing support

Your supervisors will support you throughout your research period. There is also further support within the school including:

• Mentoring system amongst research students
• Mentoring system between research students and postdoctoral research fellows
• Mental health support in the form of regular meetings for research students only
• Dedicated contacts for Support and Wellbeing, and for PGR Student Advice

To support training and learning, the school has access to specialised mathematical training courses provided by MAGIC (one of six Taught Course Centres supporting PhD mathematics programmes in the UK). Students can also utilise the Academy for PhD Training in Statistics (APTS).

Researcher training and development

The Researcher Academy is the network for researchers, and staff who support them. We work together to promote a healthy research culture, to cultivate researcher excellence, and develop creative partnerships that enable researchers to flourish.

Postgraduate researchers at Nottingham have access to our online Members’ area, which includes a wealth of resources, access to training courses and award-winning postgraduate placements.

You will have access to a range of support services , including:

• academic and disability support
• childcare services
• counselling service
• faith support
• financial support
• mental health and wellbeing support
• visa and immigration advice
• welfare support

Students' Union

Our Students' Union represents all students. You can join the Postgraduate Students’ Network or contact the dedicated Postgraduate Officer .

There are also a range of support networks, including groups for:

• international students
• black and minority ethnic students
• students who identify as women
• students with disabilities
• LGBT+ students

SU Advice provides free, independent and confidential advice on issues such as accommodation, financial and academic difficulties.

Where you will learn

Computer facilities.

The University provides excellent computing facilities with access to specialist mathematical software. The computers have electronic links to a high performance computing facility and specialist mathematical software such as Matlab, Mathematica and Maple.

University Park Campus

University Park Campus  covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.

Most schools and departments are based here. You will have access to libraries, shops, cafes, the Students’ Union, sports village and a health centre.

You can walk or cycle around campus. Free hopper buses connect you to our other campuses. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.

Jubilee Campus

Jubilee Campus has eco-friendly buildings, alongside green spaces, wildlife and a lake. 

This campus is home to our business, education and computer science schools, as well as a sports centre and student accommodation.

You can walk to  University Park Campus  in around 20 minutes or catch a free hopper bus. Nottingham city centre is 20 minutes away by public bus.

Furnished offices

As a research student here you will benefit from use of a furnished office which you'll share with other PhD students. You'll be provided with your own desk and personal computer or laptop and may make full use of general school facilities, including the common room, shared with academic staff.

The mathematics building benefits from lots of open space for discussion with staff and students and most of the supervisors are based in the same building too.

Whether you are considering a career in academia, industry or haven't yet decided, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Expert staff will work with you to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop your interview skills and meet employers. You can book a one-to-one appointment, take an online course or attend a workshop.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route . Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Many of our PhD graduates move on to successful academic careers (e.g. Professor Caucher Birkar, recipient of the Fields Medal in 2018). Other choose to pursue exciting opportunities outside academia. PhD graduates in mathematics are in great demand in several sectors, including banking, finance, consulting, data analysis, and various types of industrial research.

Some of our PhD graduates have taken up roles such as:

• Assistant Professor
• Mathematical Modeller
• Project leader
• Post-doctoral researcher
• Research scientist
• Statistician

They work for organisations such as:

• Amey Strategic Consulting
• Francis Crick Institute

Related courses

Computer science phd, physics phd/mres, economics mres/phd, research excellence framework.

The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

• We are ranked 13th in the UK for research power according to analysis by Times Higher Education, which takes into account a combination of the quality of our research, its international impact, critical mass and sustainability.
• 98% of our research is classed as ‘world-leading’ (4*) or ‘internationally excellent’ (3*).
• Places our school joint 3rd for quality of research environment across all Mathematical Sciences units in the UK based on % of 4 star research
• 90%* of our research is classed as 'world-leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*)
• 100%* of our research is recognised internationally
• 51% of our research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact**

*According to analysis by Times Higher Education ** According to our own analysis.

This content was last updated on 15 April 2024 . Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.

Mathematics

MPhil/PhD in Mathematics

• Admissions (MPhil/PhD)

Attendance and Taking Leave

Available funding, phd timeline.

Questions about any information on these pages should be addressed to the graduate tutors Prof. Ed Segal (Pure Maths, email: [email protected] ) or Prof. Robb McDonald (Applied Maths, email: [email protected] ).

How to apply, general information about making an application and entrance requirements.

Find out about our the main recurring sources of funding.

Learn about the PhD students' timetable during their period of study in our department.

Term dates and holiday entitlements.

PhD Teaching Assistantships and Studentships

We are currently still accepting applications for PhD teaching assistantships and studentships starting in September 2024.

UCL Doctoral School Welcome to Research Students

Click here to find the Doctoral School Welcome Page for research students

UCL Mathematics is of the partner institutions of the Martingale foundation which funds and supports a new generation of STEM postgraduates. The Martingale Foundation has been created to ensure that family income should not be a barrier to the pursuit of excellence. Click here for further information about the Martingale Foundation

UCL Research Opportunity Scholarship

UCL's Research Opportunity Scholarship supports BAME postgraduate research degree students. If you're interested in an ROS you must first apply to the Mathematics department, mentioning the ROS on your application.

Pleaes click here for more information on the UCL-ROS.

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Course type

Qualification, university name, phd degrees in mathematics.

137 degrees at 53 universities in the UK.

Customise your search

Select the start date, qualification, and how you want to study

Related subjects:

• PhD Mathematics
• PhD Algebra and Number Theory
• PhD Applied Mathematics
• PhD Computational Mathematics and Cybernetics
• PhD General Mathematics
• PhD Geometry
• PhD Mathematical Analysis
• PhD Mathematical Modelling (OR)
• PhD Mathematics for Specific Applications
• PhD Operational Research (OR)
• PhD Pure Mathematics
• PhD Statistics
• PhD Statistics, Probability and Operational Research

• Course title (A-Z)
• Course title (Z-A)
• Price: high - low
• Price: low - high

PhD/MPhil Mathematics

City, university of london.

You will conduct world class research for Mathematics at City in topics such as representation theory, mathematical physics or applied Read more...

• 2 years Full time degree: £4,770 per year (UK)
• 3 years Part time degree: £2,390 per year (UK)

University of Hull

Mathematics at Hull offers opportunities to study towards a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in a thriving research environment. We welcome Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 5 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

MPhil/PhD Mathematics

University of chester.

Mathematics research at the University of Chester is undertaken by an enthusiastic and successful group of academic staff and their Read more...

• 4 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

MPhil/PhD in Mathematics

Manchester metropolitan university.

STRUCTURE This course is research based. You will independently conduct research into your own topic or a topic that we advertise. Your Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,850 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree

PhD Postgraduate Research in Mathematics

University of east anglia uea.

We are a top tier, research-led university and are committed to making a substantial impact on the global challenges facing society. Our Read more...

• 6 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

PhD in Mathematical Sciences

University of bath.

Mathematical Sciences PhD allows graduates to participate in scientific research, often with a view to a career in academic or industrial Read more...

• 2 years Full time degree: £4,800 per year (UK)
• 3 years Part time degree: £2,400 per year (UK)

Aberystwyth University

Mathematics represents one of the supreme achievements of the human mind. The subject has fascinated thinkers throughout the ages, from the Read more...

Mathematics PhD

Royal holloway, university of london.

About us Academic staff in the Department of Mathematics carry out pioneering research which is making an impressive impact on the world Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)

PhD Mathematical Biology

University of essex.

Our PhD Mathematical Biology uses novel mathematical and computational techniques to solve problems in the biological, ecological, and Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £9,375 per year (UK)
• 7 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

Statistics PhD

University of glasgow.

The School of Mathematics & Statistics combines world-leading research expertise in pure and applied mathematics and statistics in areas Read more...

Computer Science PhD, MPhil - Algebraic and Categorical Structures and Methods

University of leicester.

Computing at Leicester offers supervision for the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - full-time and part-time Master of Philosophy Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,786 per year (UK)
• 6 years Part time degree: £2,393 per year (UK)

Mathematics MPhil, PhD

Newcastle university.

In Pure Mathematics our two main fields are functional analysis and geometric algebra. In Applied Mathematics our research is predominantly Read more...

• 36 months Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 72 months Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

University of Nottingham

Follow your passion for research Join the School of Mathematical Sciences for the chance to work on projects in both fundamental and Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £5,100 per year (UK)
• 8 years Part time degree

PhD Mathematics and Statistics

University of plymouth.

Conduct research at the cutting edge of the discipline, working alongside a team of specialist academic advisors within our Centre for Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,500 per year (UK)
• 4 years Part time degree: £3,030 per year (UK)

PhD/ MPhil/ MRes Mathematics & Statistics

University of strathclyde.

You can study for an MPhil or MRes over one year, or a PhD over the course of three years. MPhil & PhD There are postgraduate research Read more...

University of Surrey

Why choose this programme From geometry and partial differential equations to fluid dynamics, data science and modelling within the life Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)
• 8 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

Statistics - PhD

University of kent.

These programmes offers the opportunity to begin or consolidate your research career under the guidance of internationally renowned Read more...

Mathematical Sciences Integrated PhD

Brunel university london.

Research profile Our research-active academics are involved in cutting-edge research covering a range of topics including applied Read more...

• 4 years Full time degree

PhD (Mathematics)

University of south wales.

A PhD is a doctoral degree based on a significant and original individual research project which culminates in an in-depth thesis (or Read more...

• 3 years Full time degree: £4,716 per year (UK)
• 5 years Part time degree: £2,358 per year (UK)

PhD Computing and Mathematics

University of wolverhampton.

PhD students at the School of Mathematics and Computer Science are supervised by academics who are leading experts in their particular Read more...

• 4 years Distance without attendance degree: £4,712 per year (UK)

1-20 of 137 courses

Course type:

• Distance learning PhD
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Qualification:

Universities:.

• Durham University
• University of Warwick
• University of West London
• Cardiff University
• University of Portsmouth
• The University of Edinburgh
• King's College London, University of London
• University of Brighton
• University of Sussex
• University of Aberdeen
• University of Reading
• Birkbeck, University of London
• UCL (University College London)
• London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London
• University of Lincoln
• University of Birmingham
• University of Oxford
• Loughborough University
• Imperial College London
• Keele University

Related Subjects:

• Schools & departments

• Why study at Edinburgh?
• How to apply for a PhD

What funding is available for your PhD study?

• Visiting Research Students
• News & Events
• Graduate School contacts
• Useful Links

School of Mathematics

• Studying Here
• Postgraduate Research Studies

Funding Opportunities

The School of Mathematics offers several fully funded PhD studentships each year. Students receiving School funding are awarded a stipend equivalent to UKRI stipend rates for a period of 4 years plus fees.  Applications must be received by Monday 22 January 2024 in order to be considered for School and ESPSRC funding opportunities. Late applications may also be considered if there are still places.  There is no need to submit a separate application for these. 

Martingale Foundation Scholarships

We are delighted to announce that we are one of the Martingale Foundation's newest university partners. The Martingale Foundation helps provide access to postgraduate mathematics study for UK students facing financial barriers by offering fully-funded MSc and PhD programmes. 

Applications are made via the  Martingale Foundation website  and the application deadline is Wednesday 25 October 2023.

These awards are available to all applicants and provide full support (fees and stipend). The stipend is set by UKRI on an annual basis (stipend payment levels for 2023-24 are £18,622).  Applications must be received by Monday 22 January 2024 in order to be considered for School and ESPSRC funding opportunities. Late applications may also be considered if there are still places.  There is no need to submit a separate application for these. 

Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarships 

In 2024-25, the School will offer a fully funded Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarship. This scholarship provides tuition fees and a stipend for 4 years. The award is open to UK and overseas applicants applying to start their first year of study in 2024-25.

Applicants must be of outstanding academic merit and research potential. Candidates must have, or expect to obtain, a UK first class or 2.1 honours degree at undergraduate level or the international equivalent. 

Successful applicants will undertake a package of training and development which will help you to develop the necessary skills required to meet your career choices and offer you a breath of development opportunities in areas suuch as teaching, public engagement, entrepreneurship, data science and research. 

The application deadline for this opportunity is the end of Monday 19 February 2024.

The EDCS application must be made via the Scholarships portal on MyEd. Once you have made an application for the programme of study, you will receive an email with MyEd login details.

In order to gain access to the scholarship application system, applicants must have applied for admission to the University of Edinburgh.  Please note that, following the submission of an application for admission, it can take up to 10 working days for all system checks to be completed and for access to be granted.

The online scholarship application form is located in EUCLID and can be accessed via MyEd our web based information portal at  https://www.myed.ed.ac.uk

When logging in to MyEd, you will need your University User Name and password.  If you require assistance, please go to  http://www.ed.ac.uk/student-systems/support-guidance

If you are considering applying for this scholarship, we would strongly suggest that you submit your EUCLID admission application for the programme of study at least 10 working days before the application deadline to ensure you have enough time to apply for the scholarship via the Scholarship application portal.

China Scholarship Council/University of Edinburgh Scholarships

There will be one scholarship available for PhD study to candidates who are citizens and permanent residents of the People's Republic of China at the time of applying for entry for the academic year 2024-25. Candidates should not be working outside China at the time of application and successful candidates must agree to return to China upon completion of their degree. Candidates studying outside China are eligible to apply but not those who have already commenced a PhD programme prior to the 2024-25 academic year. 

The application deadline for this opportunity will be announced shortly.  

To be considered for this scholarship applicants should complete the below China Scholarship Council/University of Edinburgh Scholarship application form with should be submitted to [email protected]  by the deadline .  

There will be an internal selection process and successful candidates will be notified via email.  Candidates nominated by the University to be considered for a scholarship should satisfy the selection criteria set out by CSC by completing the CSC Application form and CSC Employer Reference form which can be found on their website . You must ensure you select the correct scholarship scheme -  Institutional & Personal Channel , as there are several schemes. Please note that applicants for this scholarship must be able to prove that they meet the University's English language requirements at the time of application. 

The scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic merit and candidates must have obtained, or be predicted to obtain, the equivalent of a first-class honours degree from a Chinese University. 

Other Studentships

• https://www.ed.ac.uk/student-funding/postgraduate