Heriot-Watt University
Study Postgraduate

MSc Mathematics

The course

Delivery
Full-time, Part-time, Per course
Course type
Taught
Location
Edinburgh
Entry date
September
Find out how to apply More about this subject area

Contact

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Overview

Our MSc in Mathematics is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of a range of topics in mathematics. In addition, students who meet the appropriate criteria and proceed to the project will gain experience in presenting results in mathematics in a clear and concise manner. The MSc has at its core fundamental courses in pure mathematics and students will be able to take options from both pure and applied mathematics. Projects will concentrate on core mathematics.

Core courses include functional analysis and partial differential equations, while the various optional courses we offer include optimisation, solitons and differential geometry. The range of options for summer projects is broader and includes topics in spectral theory, applied analysis, integrable systems and mathematical physics.

Learn more about the MSc Mathematics directly from the Head of the Mathematics Department, Professor Bernd Schroers in this video

Programme duration

  • MSc - One year
  • Diploma - 9 months

Also available part-time over 2 to 3 years.

Watch a video

Visit our YouTube channel to see videos from our Staff, students and recent graduates

September 2023 entry

The deadline for applications from UK students is 31 August 2023. For EU and overseas applicants, we guarantee to consider applications submitted by 1 August 2023.

Go Global

Some of our Postgraduate Taught Masters Programmes are eligible for Inter-Campus Transfer. Please contact goglobal@hw.ac.uk for further information.

Course content

The MSc, has at its core, fundamental courses in pure mathematics and students will be able to take options from both pure and applied mathematics.

Students will take a total of 8 courses, 4 in each of the 1st and 2nd Semesters followed by a 3-month Project in the summer. A typical distribution for this programme is as follows:

Core courses:

  • Modelling and Tools;
  • Functional Analysis;
  • Partial Differential Equations;

Optional Courses:

  • Mathematical Ecology
  • Optimization
  • Numerical Analysis of ODEs
  • Applied Mathematics E (Thermodynamics or Fluids)
  • Pure Mathematics E (Topology or Number Theory)
  • Stochastic Simulation
  • Mathematical Biology and Medicine
  • Numerical Analysis (PDEs)
  • Geometry
  • Pure Mathematics F (Solitons or Hilbert Space Operators)
  • Data Assimilation with Application to Climate Change

Typical project subjects:

  • Domain Decomposition;
  • Mathematical Modelling of Crime;
  • The Geometry of Point Particles;
  • Can we Trust Eigenvalues on a Computer?;
  • Braess Paradox;
  • The Ising Model: Exact and Numerical Results;
  • Banach Alegbras.

Project

Projects will concentrate on core mathematics.

Entry requirements

Entry is aimed at graduates with strong mathematical knowledge and skills. A good honours degree in mathematics, statistics or a related subject with a substantial mathematical content is desired. Motivation and a willingness to work hard are also important pre-requisites.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, or your first degree was not taught in English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability. The minimum requirement for English language is IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.

We offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement prior to starting your masters programme:

  • 20 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with no skill lower than 4.5)
  • 14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with minimum of 5.0 in writing and no skill lower than 4.5)
  • 10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.0)
  • 6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.5)

Fees

Tuition fees for entry
Status Full-time Part-time Per course
UK £8320 £4160 £1040
Overseas £17320 £8660 £2165

Footnotes

  1. 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. Find out more about tuition fees.
  2. Fee per course (module). Refer to the Course Content to see how many courses comprise the full programme.
  3. Overseas includes applications from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in the UK. Read more about the application process for EU nationals.

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.

View our full range of postgraduate scholarships.