(Full time) 2023 start
Mathematics MSc
Overview
This Masters degree is designed to build on your existing mathematical skills and allows you to both broaden and deepen your understanding of the branch or branches of mathematics which most interest you.
The flexibility of this course allows you to either keep your studies broad, learning a range of mathematical techniques, or specialise in areas of pure mathematics, applied mathematics or statistics depending on your interests. These can range from algebra, analysis and logic to financial mathematics, fluid dynamics and mathematical biology.
A Masters-level qualification in mathematics will enhance your existing career prospects or can help you change direction. It’s also an excellent route into further study, such as an MPhil or PhD.
Studying in the School of Mathematics here at Leeds gives you access to a whole range of specialist facilities, being taught by passionate academics who are experts in their fields. The School is also responsible for delivering internationally excellent research and have strong links with a whole range of research institutions.
This means, once you’ve graduated, you’ll be fully equipped with the most up-to-date practices and techniques, alongside the technical skill set you’ll need to pursue an exciting career in a wide range of industries.
Why study at Leeds:
Learn the latest innovations in areas such as probability and financial mathematics, modern applied statistics and analysis from our world-leading research conducted right here on campus that feeds directly into the course.
Benefit from our School’s close links with organisations like Leeds Institute for Data Analytics, Leeds Institute for Fluid Dynamics and the Alan Turing Institute, the UK’s national institute for data science and artificial intelligence.
Advance your knowledge and skills in key areas of mathematics, both theoretically and practically.
Tailor the degree to suit your specific interests with a large selection of optional modules to choose from, with everything from quantum mechanics to coding theory, mathematical biology to astrophysical fluid dynamics – plus many more.
Put theory into practice and conduct a project which focuses on a topic that matches your interests, giving you the chance to apply the knowledge acquired throughout the course and demonstrate independent research skills necessary for a professional or academic career.
Access excellent teaching facilities and computing equipment throughout the school, complemented by social areas and communal problem-solving spaces.
Experience expert theoretical and practical teaching delivered by a programme team made up of academics who specialise in a wide range of areas in mathematics.
Enhance your career prospects and join our successful alumni who have secured jobs in many excellent organisations, including Capita, Lloyds Banking Group and the NHS.
Be part of a diverse and supportive community of mathematicians from all over the world.
Course content
During the two semesters, there is a range of taught modules to choose from, providing the opportunity to combine mainstream, advanced mathematical topics and innovative methods relating to the research interests of the School of Mathematics.
Project work
During your second semester, you'll be required to complete a research project. This is an opportunity for you to pursue a particular topic in-depth: your supervisor will help you to find a project that matches your interests and motivations for studying this degree.
Some examples of past projects include:
Cluster Algebras
Nonstandard Analysis
Combustion Waves
Planetary Motion in General Relativity
Want to find out more about your modules?
Take a look at the Mathematics module descriptions for more detail on what you'll study.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Dissertation in Mathematics 60 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Calculus in the Complex Plane 15 credits
- Graph Theory 15 credits
- Number Theory 15 credits
- Groups and Symmetry 15 credits
- Proof and Computation 15 credits
- Differential Geometry 15 credits
- Models and Sets 15 credits
- Combinatorics 15 credits
- Coding Theory 15 credits
- Commutative Rings and Algebraic Geometry 15 credits
- Metric and Function Spaces 15 credits
- Hilbert Spaces and Fourier Analysis 15 credits
- Topology 15 credits
- Transformation Geometry 15 credits
- Hamiltonian Systems 15 credits
- Mathematical Methods 15 credits
- Linear and Non-Linear Waves 15 credits
- Hydrodynamic Stability 15 credits
- Quantum Mechanics 15 credits
- Dynamical Systems 15 credits
- Nonlinear Dynamics 15 credits
- Analytic Solutions of Partial Differential Equations 15 credits
- Introduction to Entropy in the Physical World 15 credits
- Geophysical Fluid Dynamics 15 credits
- Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics 15 credits
- Modern Numerical Methods 15 credits
- Discrete Systems and Integrability 15 credits
- Actuarial Mathematics 1 15 credits
- Actuarial Mathematics 2 15 credits
- Relativity and Cosmology 15 credits
- Mathematical Biology 15 credits
- Evolutionary Modelling 15 credits
- Fluid Dynamics 2 15 credits
- Linear Regression and Robustness 15 credits
- Statistical Theory 15 credits
- Stochastic Calculus for Finance 15 credits
- Multivariate Analysis 10 credits
- Time Series 10 credits
- Bayesian Statistics 10 credits
- Generalised Linear Models 10 credits
- Philosophy of Logic and Mathematics 20 credits
- Groups, Symmetry and Galois Theory 20 credits
- Advanced Proof and Computation 20 credits
- Advanced Differential Geometry 20 credits
- Advanced Models and Sets 20 credits
- Advanced Commutative Rings and Algebraic Geometry 20 credits
- Metric Spaces and Functional Analysis 20 credits
- Hilbert Spaces and Advanced Fourier Analysis 20 credits
- Models in Actuarial Science 15 credits
- Advanced Hamiltonian Systems 20 credits
- Advanced Mathematical Methods 20 credits
- Advanced Linear and Nonlinear Waves 20 credits
- Advanced Hydrodynamic Stability 20 credits
- Advanced Quantum Mechanics 20 credits
- Advanced Dynamical Systems 20 credits
- Advanced Nonlinear Dynamics 20 credits
- Advanced Entropy in the Physical World 20 credits
- Advanced Geophysical Fluid Dynamics 20 credits
- Advanced Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics 20 credits
- Advanced Modern Numerical Methods 20 credits
- Advanced Discrete Systems and Integrability 20 credits
- Advanced Mathematical Biology 20 credits
- Advanced Evolutionary Modelling 20 credits
- Linear Regression, Robustness and Smoothing 20 credits
- Multivariate and Cluster Analysis 15 credits
- Time Series and Spectral Analysis 15 credits
- Bayesian Statistics and Causality 15 credits
- Generalised Linear and Additive Models 15 credits
- Independent Learning and Skills Project 15 credits
- Statistical Computing 15 credits
- Philosophy of Logic and Mathematics 20 credits
- Cosmology 15 credits
- Molecular Simulation: Theory and Practice 15 credits
- Advanced Mechanics 15 credits
- Quantum Field Theory 15 credits
- General Relativity 15 credits
- Dynamics of Weather Systems 10 credits
- Inverse Theory 10 credits
- Inverse Theory 10 credits
Learning and teaching
Teaching is by lectures, tutorials, seminars and a supervised research project.
Specialist facilities
Extensive use is made of IT and a wide range of materials is available to enable students to study at their own pace and in their own time to enhance and extend the material taught formally.
Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your programme and modules.
You can also benefit from support to develop your academic skills, within the curriculum and through online resources, workshops, one-to-one appointments and drop-in sessions.
Programme team
Programme leader, Dr Paul Shafer, specialises in mathematical logic, especially computability theory and reverse mathematics.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Assessment is by a range of methods which may include, formal examination, in-class tests, example sheets, problem solving, project work and verbal presentations.
The research project will be assessed based on 85% from the written report, and 15% from an oral presentation. It will contribute 60 credits to the overall total.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in mathematics or a closely-related subject.
Successful applicants will have strong grades in relevant mathematical modules. We may ask for further detailed module information if these are not clear on your transcript.
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information please contact the Admissions Team.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in all components. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks).
We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. You could study a part-time online course starting in January, or a full-time course in summer. Find out more about online pre-sessionals.
You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.
How to apply
Application deadlines
Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
30 July 2023 – International applicants
10 September 2023 – UK applicants
This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2023
Fees
- UK: £11,750 (total)
- International: £25,000 (total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
Career opportunities
This course will give you the technical and transferable skills plus advanced knowledge that employers in many different industries are looking for.
There is a high demand for mathematicians and statisticians across a range of sectors such as accountancy and finance, medicine, IT, as well as many forms of engineering and different government departments.
Plus, the University of Leeds is in the top five most targeted universities in the UK by graduate recruiters, according to High Fliers’ The Graduate Market in 2022 report.
Further study at Masters level can be useful for some maths-related careers such as operational research, medical statistics in pharmaceutical companies, meteorology, engineering design, finance and IT-based roles.
Here’s an insight into some of the job positions and organisations previous mathematics graduates have secured:
Assistant Financial Controller, Live Nation
Pricing Manager, Vets4Pets
Finance Analyst, Morrisons
Auditor, National Audit Office
Penetration Tester, Claranet Cyber Security
Risk Analyst, Yorkshire Building Society
Software Engineer, BJSS Ltd
Environmental Data Analyst, Comply Direct
Risk Analyst, Capita
Trainee .Net Developer, FDM Group
Actuarial Associate, PwC UK
Credit Risk Modeller, Lloyds Banking Group
Audit Assistant, The Royal Society of Medicine
Data Analyst, Co-operative Bank Plc
Credit Risk Analyst, Hitachi Finance
Contractor Software Developer, Bet365
Client Coverage Analyst, Lloyds Banking Group
Common career paths for mathematics graduates include:
Actuary
Actuaries evaluate, manage and advise on financial risks. They use their knowledge of business and economics, together with their understanding of probability theory, statistics and investment theory, to provide strategic, commercial and financial advice.
Operational Research
Operational researchers use analytical and creative skills to assist organisations in developing better systems and operational procedures. By examining an organisation's operations and using mathematical modelling, computer software or other analytical approaches, they find more effective ways of working.
Corporate investment banker
Corporate investment bankers provide a range of financial services to companies, institutions and governments. They manage corporate, strategic and financial opportunities, including mergers and acquisitions, lending, privatisations and initial public offerings (IPOs).
Corporate investment bankers also advise and lead management buyouts, raise capital, provide strategic advice to clients, and identify and secure new deals
Quantity Surveyor
A quantity surveyor manages all costs relating to building and civil engineering projects, from the initial calculations to the final figures. Surveyors seek to minimise the costs of a project and enhance value for money, while still achieving the required standards and quality.
Meteorologist
Meteorologists study the causes of particular weather conditions using information obtained from the land, sea and upper atmosphere. They use computerised and mathematical models to make short and long-range forecasts concerning weather and climate patterns.
Further study
This MSc in Mathematics will provide you with excellent preparation for research for an MPhil or PhD. At Leeds we have a range of research opportunities available and in some cases you can progress to a PhD on the basis of a specified performance in the MSc
Careers support
At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one. Our wide range of careers resources — including our award-winning Employability team — are on hand to offer guidance and support, ensuring you are prepared to take your next steps after graduation and get you where you want to be.
Employability events — we run a full range of events including careers fairs in specialist areas and across broader industries — all with employers who are actively recruiting for roles.
MyCareer system — on your course and after you graduate, you’ll have access to a dedicated careers portal where you can book appointments with our team, get information on careers and see job vacancies and upcoming events.
Qualified careers consultants — gain guidance, support and information to help you choose a career path. You’ll have access to 1-2-1 meetings and events to learn how to find employers to target, research before interviews and brush up on your interview skills.
Opportunities at Leeds — there are plenty of exciting opportunities offered by our Leeds University Union, including volunteering and over 300 clubs and societies to get involved in.
Find out more about career support.