Key information
- Level
- Postgraduate Taught
- Delivery type
- Full Time, Part Time
- Degree qualification
- MSc
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 2 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September
Heriot-Watt is a leader in applied mathematics research and education. Our faculty is at the forefront of many areas, including mathematical biology and ecology, machine learning, data science, financial modelling, and more.
This 2 year master's programme aims to provide students with the cutting-edge mathematical and statistical skills needed for success in today's data-driven world. Through a diverse curriculum and real-world projects, students will gain a solid theoretical foundation as well as hands-on experience applying mathematical concepts to tackle complex challenges across industries.
Whether your interests lie in mathematical biology and ecology, artificial intelligence, big data analytics or other emerging fields, this programme will prepare you with the sophisticated analytical abilities and computational tools to launch an impactful career.
The 2-year MSc breakdown
The first year (Stage 1) of this two year MSc Programme is a pre-masters year that will equip you with a solid, theoretical and practical foundation in applied mathematics. The second year (Stage 2) is the same as our current one-year MSc Programme in Applied Mathematical Sciences which is designed to equip students with the modern, transferrable mathematical skills to prepare them for careers in industry and research.
International students: please note our minimum IELTS entry requirement is 5.5 in all sections. The whole two year programme only requires one visa. We encourage applications from a broad range of technical backgrounds.
The Maxwell Institute of Mathematical Sciences
We are part of the Maxwell Institute for Mathematical Sciences, a joint research institute bringing together within a single body the research activities of:
- The Department of Mathematics at Heriot-Watt University.
- The Department of Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics at Heriot-Watt University.
- The School of Mathematics at the University of Edinburgh.
- We are part of the Edinburgh Research Partnership in Engineering and Mathematics, alongside the University of Edinburgh, which consists of five joint research institutes and a joint graduate school.
Your student experience
Your learning in the MSc Applied Mathematical Sciences (2 years) programme will be informed by the expertise of our research-active academics, whose work encompasses the following areas:
- Machine Learning: Designing and applying cutting-edge machine learning algorithms for real-world problems.
- Data Science and Mathematical Modelling: Leveraging big data analytics and mathematical modelling for business insights, as well as in use within the natural and social sciences.
- Mathematical Biology: Using mathematical techniques to model biological processes and disease.
- Operations Research: Optimizing systems and processes in logistics, manufacturing, and services.
- Applied Statistics: Applying statistical learning theory and data analysis for inference.
Go Global
With Go Global, Heriot-Watt's global student programme, you can carry your studies to new places and experience new cultures, expanding your horizons on the way. You'll discover what it means to be a true global citizen and emerge prepared for wherever your career journey will take you.
Inter-Campus Transfer
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
Mandatory courses
- Research Preparation in English (1)
- Linear Algebra
- Research Preparation in English (2)
- Numerical Analysis
- Ordinary Differential Equations
Optional courses: Any 2 from
- Applied Mathematics A
- Multivariable Calculus and Real Analysis A
- Vector Analysis
- Probability and Statistics A
Optional courses: Any 1 from
- Multivariable Calculus and Real Analysis B
- Applied Mathematics B
- Complex Analysis
- Numerical Analysis B
- Probability and Statistics B
Composition: 8 courses (5 mandatory & 3 optional)
Year 2
8 taught courses (4 courses per semester; 1 mandatory and 7 optional) plus dissertation.
Mandatory September
- Modelling and Tools
Optional September
- Mathematical Ecology
- Fluid Mechanics
- Optimisation
- Modelling and Simulation in the Life Sciences
- Numerical ODEs
- Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Optional January
- Mathematical Biology and Medicine
- Data Assimilation
- Partial Differential Equations
- Numerical Analysis (PDEs)
- Artificial Intelligence
Mandatory May
- Masters Project and Dissertation
Programme Video
Applied Mathematical Sciences
Fees and funding
| Status | Full Time | Part Time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £10,528 | £5,264 |
| International | £19,816 | £9,908 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Additional information
Fees are payable for each year of this two year MSc.
Scholarships and bursaries
Postgraduate scholarships and bursaries
We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Year 1
UK & EU: A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree or non-UK equivalent containing some maths and/or statistics content.
OS: A minimum of a 2:1 honours degree or non-UK equivalent containing some maths and/or statistics content.
We welcome applications from international students and accept qualifications from around the world. Please refer to the entry requirements for your country for more details.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.
If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.
Please see our detailed English language requirements.
Why Heriot-Watt
We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country and we ranked 5th in the UK.
We're also rated number one in the UK for CEO or MD roles, meaning more of our graduates go on to become CEOs or MDs than any other university in the whole of the UK. On top of that, we have beautiful campuses, across the globe, so you'll get a truly international education. Our Edinburgh Campus is home to Oriam, Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre combined with plenty of wellbeing resources, prioritising fitness and mental health for all students. Our Global Research Institutes look at solving real world issues such as climate change and saving our oceans as well as working on the next medical technological breakthrough and the future of AI and robots.
Employability
The MSc in Applied Mathematical Sciences (2 years) programme prepares you to work across many industries. You will gain highly transferrable skills in mathematical modelling, data analytics, computational methods, and more.
Potential career paths
- Data Scientist - Analyse data to uncover insights and trends to inform business strategy and decision-making.
- Business Analyst - Use data modelling and statistical analysis to solve problems and improve business processes.
- Operations Researcher - Apply mathematical optimization techniques to complex logistics and resource allocation problems.
- Quantitative Analyst - Build mathematical models to analyse financial markets, price assets, and quantify risk.
- Statistical Modeller - Develop predictive models and perform statistical inference on data.
- Machine Learning Engineer - Design, implement and deploy machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence applications.
Student life
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