How To Apply

Applications for our postgraduate programmes are made using our online application form.

General entry requirements

To apply for postgraduate study you must satisfy the University’s general entry requirements as well as any specific requirements for your chosen programme.   The Mathematics Research Degree entry requirements are listed in the "Entry Requirements" page.

As well as academic qualifications and practical experience, we look for evidence of your interest in the programme and an understanding of the rigorous demands of postgraduate study.

International students

If you are an international student you will need to ensure that your academic and English language qualifications meet our entry requirements. You should apply as early as possible if you need to secure a UK visa or if you are applying for funding or sponsorship. Visit the University’s International students’ pages for more details.

The application process

Before you begin, please ensure that you have read all the information relating to your chosen programme of study, such as entry requirements, application deadlines, funding, special requirements for overseas students.  In particular, it is useful if before you apply you get in touch with us to discuss possible research areas and supervisors (see Contact us page).

Please provide the following information in your application:

1. Grade transcripts for all relevant degrees;
2. The names and contact details of two academic referees.  We will contact them to ask them to send us reference letters.
3. Research area: specify one of  Applied Mathematics, Operational Research, Pure Mathematics and Statistics.  You can also be more specific and identify a  research field of particular interest to you  in one of these four research areas.
4. If possible, the name of one or two possible supervisors;
5. Curriculum Vitae;
6. Personal statement of why you are interested in studying for a PhD.

Information that is in separate documents can be uploaded as part of the application process using the online application form. Decisions regarding admissions are not made until an application is considered to be complete. You will be sent an acknowledgement email as soon as we have received your application.

Follow these steps to submit your application:

1. Identify the programme(s) of study that you wish to apply for.
2. Check that you satisfy the programme entry requirements.
3. If applicable, check that you satisfy the entry language requirements.  You do not have to have the appropriate qualification at the moment of applying, but you will have to satisfy the language requirements before any offer can be confirmed.
4. Check that you have the information listed in the previous section.
5. Go to the online application form and find your programme via the Programme Search page.
6. Login or if new user create login ID.
7. Fill in application details via application check-list.
8. Upload supporting documents.
9. Submit your application.   You will receive an email to confirm successful receipt of your application after a few days.  Please get in touch if you do not hear from us within a period of a few working days.
10. Use the online tracking to track the progress of your application.

Although applications can be made at any time, funding decisions are made from February 1, so applicants interested in studentship funding are strongly recommended to submit their application before this date.