MSc Pure Mathematics
Equipping students with a range of transferrable mathematical skills needed for employment and future research.
Key information
Start date: October 2022
Location: South Kensington
ECTS: 90 credits
Overview
Our MSc in Pure Mathematics is offered full-time over one year and part-time over two years.
This course provides training in different aspects of Pure Mathematics, equipping you with a range of mathematical skills in problem-solving, project work and presentation.
You have the opportunity to learn advanced core pure mathematics topics together with a range of more specialised options, and undertake an independent research project in your chosen area.
Study programme
The taught element of the course begins in the autumn term and continues into the spring term. The full-time programme is made up of eight taught modules, but you are only assessed on seven of these. Part-time students study four modules in the first year, and take three modules in the second year.
The taught courses cover a range of topics in analysis, geometry and topology, number theory, algebra and combinatorics that reflect the research interests of the Pure Mathematics section.
As well as attending taught courses, you undertake independent work on a written project. A list of projects and supervisors is issued before the end of the first term. You choose your supervisor and topic toward the end of November, and begin working on your project in the second term. The project is then submitted in September.
Part-time students submit their projects in September of their second year.
Careers
Our graduates find employment in a range of fields, including education, research, actuarial analysis, risk analysis, investment banking and management consultancy.
Structure
This page reflects the latest version of the curriculum for this year of entry. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about the limited circumstances in which we may need to make changes to or in relation to our courses, the type of changes we may make and how we will tell you about changes we have made.
Page last reviewed on 22 October 2021.
Structure
Taught modules
You will choose eight modules from the list below.
- Algebra 3
- Algebra 4
- Algebraic Curves
- Algebraic Geometry
- Algebraic Number Theory
- Algebraic Topology
- Bifurcation Theory
- Classical Dynamics
- Commutative Algebra
- Complex Manifolds
- Differential Topology
- Dynamical Systems
- Dynamics of Learning and Iterated Games
- Elliptic Curves
- Formalising Mathematics
- Fourier Analysis and Theory of Distributions
- Functional Analysis
- Galois Theory
- Geometric Mechanics
- Geometry of Curves and Surfaces
- Graph Theory
- Group Representation Theory
- Group Theory
- Lie Algebras
- Manifolds
- Markov Processes
- Number Theory
- Probability Theory
- Random Dynamical Systems and Ergodic Theory: Seminar Course
- Riemannian Geometry
- Stochastic Calculus with Applications to non-Linear Filtering
Research project
You complete a research project which includes researching a topic, completing a written report and an oral examination. The research project will be based around a mathematical topic from the core course area including analysis, algebra, combinatorics, geometry and number theory.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
- Computing
- Independent research project
- Lectures
- Office hours
- Problem sheets
- Tutorials
Assessment methods
- Coursework
- Dissertation
- Oral presentation
- Written examination
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Entry requirements
Minimum academic requirement
Our minimum requirement is a 2.1 degree in mathematics or applied mathematics.
International qualifications
We also accept a wide variety of international qualifications.
The academic requirement above is for applicants who hold or who are working towards a UK qualification.
For guidance see our Country Index though please note that the standards listed are the minimum for entry to the College, and not specifically this Department.
If you have any questions about admissions and the standard required for the qualification you hold or are currently studying then please contact the relevant admissions team.
English language requirement (all applicants)
All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.
For admission to this course, you must achieve the standard College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the English language requirements for postgraduate applicants.
Competence standards
Our competence standards highlight the core skills students should be able to demonstrate by the end of this course.
View the Department of Mathematics's competence standards [pdf]
We believe in providing the widest practicable access to all of our degree programmes and will make reasonable adjustments wherever possible to support your study. For more information, please contact the Department using the contact details below.
Department of Mathematics
How to apply
Making an application
Apply online
All applicants must apply online.
Visit our Admissions website for details on the application process.
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can usually choose up to two courses.
Application fee
If you are applying for a taught Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course:
- £80 for taught Master's applications (excluding MBAs)
- £135 for MBA applications
There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas or research courses, such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
ATAS certificate
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.
Further questions?
Find answers to your questions about admissions. Answers cover COVID-19, English language requirements, visas and more.
Tuition fees and funding
The level of tuition fees you pay is based on your fee status, which we assess based on UK government legislation.
Find out more about fees and funding opportunities.
Tuition fees
Home rate of tuition
2022 entry
Full-time - £12,000
Part-time - £6,000 per year
Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
Except where otherwise indicated, the fees for students on courses lasting more than one year will increase annually by an amount linked to inflation, including for part-time students on modular programmes. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Home fee depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
EU/EEA/Swiss students
The Government has confirmed that EU/EEA/Swiss students who begin a course before the 31 July 2021 will be eligible to pay the same fee as Home students and have access to student finance for the duration of their course, as long as they meet certain requirements which are unchanged from previous years. This includes students who begin the course remotely.
EU/EEA/Swiss students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 will no longer be eligible for the Home fee rate and so will be charged the Overseas fee. Please note, we do not expect this to apply to Irish students or students benefitting from Citizens' Rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or Swiss Citizens' Rights Agreement respectively. However, we are currently awaiting the formal publication of the amended Fees and Awards regulations.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website has useful information on the conditions you currently need to meet to be entitled to pay tuition fees at the Home rate for study on a higher education course in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand (not the amended regulations which are subject to publication).
Overseas rate of tuition
2022 entry
Full-time - £30,000
Part-time - £15,000 per year
Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.
Except where otherwise indicated, the fees for students on courses lasting more than one year will increase annually by an amount linked to inflation, including for part-time students on modular programmes. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Overseas fee depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
EU/EEA/Swiss students
The Government has confirmed that EU/EEA/Swiss students who begin a course before the 31 July 2021 will be eligible to pay the same fee as Home students and have access to student finance for the duration of their course, as long as they meet certain requirements which are unchanged from previous years. This includes students who begin the course remotely.
EU/EEA/Swiss students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 will no longer be eligible for the Home fee rate and so will be charged the Overseas fee. Please note, we do not expect this to apply to Irish students or students benefitting from Citizens' Rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or Swiss Citizens' Rights Agreement respectively. However, we are currently awaiting the formal publication of the amended Fees and Awards regulations.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website has useful information on the conditions you currently need to meet to be entitled to pay tuition fees at the Home rate for study on a higher education course in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand (not the amended regulations which are subject to publication).
Postgraduate Master's loan
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For 2022-23 entry, the maximum amount is £11,836. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Scholarships
We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students to support you through your studies.
See what opportunities you may be eligible for:
Accommodation and living costs
Living costs, including accommodation, are not included in your tuition fees.
You can compare costs across our different accommodation options on our Accommodation website.
A rough guide to what you might expect to spend to live in reasonable comfort in London is available on our Fees and Funding website.
Further information
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