Key information
- Level
- Postgraduate Taught
- Delivery type
- Full Time, Part Time
- Degree qualification
- MSc
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 1 year
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September
Our MSc Mathematics programme is your gateway to a successful career. We provide a strong foundation in key theoretical principles and analytical techniques that are crucial in the field.
Our curriculum delves deeply into a wide range of mathematical topics, equipping postgraduate students with the skills needed to make a substantial impact in their future careers.
You will master mathematical techniques through core coursework, and our diverse electives allow you to tailor your education to your specific interests and career aspirations.
Our programme is designed to produce exceptional mathematicians who can effectively communicate ideas, models, and proofs with precision and excellence.
Earning this Master's degree will not only deepen your mathematical knowledge but will also enhance your employability.
Summer research projects under faculty guidance will enhance your practical research skills, making you a valuable asset to potential employers. Examples of project topics include:
- The Geometry of Point Particles;
- Can we Trust Eigenvalues on a Computer?;
- Braess Paradox;
- The Ising Model: Exact and Numerical Results;
- Banach Alegbras.
Thinking about a future in Mathematics?
Join our webinar on Tuesday 20 May at 11am (GMT) with Professor Des Johnston to explore our MSc Mathematics programmes. Hear from Prof. Michela Ottobre on cutting-edge research and get student insights. Includes a live Q&A and entry into a £2,000 bursary draw.
Sign up nowYour student experience
Our MSc Mathematics programme provides a wide range of expertise and research opportunities in various mathematical disciplines. These include:
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Advanced Mathematical Theory: Delving deeply into the fundamental theoretical principles that underlie mathematical concepts and applications.
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Applied Mathematics: Exploring the practical, real-world applications of mathematical techniques in various industries, including finance, engineering, and more.
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Statistical Analysis and Data Science: Developing essential statistical and data analysis skills to extract meaningful insights from data sets and inform decision-making.
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Optimization and Operations Research: Mastering the techniques for solving complex optimisation problems, improving efficiency and problem solving in various domains.
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:
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The Department of Mathematics at Heriot-Watt University.
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The Department of Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics at Heriot-Watt University.
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The School of Mathematics at the University of Edinburgh.
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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.
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
Mandatory September
- Modelling and Tools
Optional September
- Mathematical Ecology
- Fluid Mechanics
- Functional Analysis
- Optimisation
- Modelling and Simulation in the Life Sciences
- Numerical ODEs
- Topology
- Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Mandatory January
- Partial Differential Equations
Optional January
- Mathematical Biology and Medicine
- Data Assimilation
- Lie Groups and Lie Algebra
- Numerical Analysis (PDEs)
- Geometry
- Artificial Intelligence
- Quantum Theory
Mandatory May
- Masters Project and Dissertation
Programme Video
Mathematics Postgraduate Subject Video
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).
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.
UK & EU: A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree or non-UK equivalent containing substantial maths and/or statistics content.
OS: A minimum of a 2:1 honours degree or non-UK equivalent containing substantial maths and/or statistics content. Applicants must have covered subjects such as: Real Analysis, Multivariable Calculus, Ordinary Differential Equations, Probability and Statistics at 60% or above.
Other degrees considered: Electrical / Chemical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Economics.
Applicants that do not meet the entry criteria will be considered for the 2 year MSc Applied Mathematical Sciences programme.
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.
Student life
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