How to Apply
Applications should be made online:
The UCL Admissions and General Enquiries Office may be contacted by e-mail (postgraduate-admissions@ucl.ac.uk), telephone (020 3370 1216).
Funding
Applications may be made for research degress at any time of the year. However, candidates should note that the funding deadlines detailed on the available funding webpage.
General Information
Where possible, applicants are advised to identify a potential supervisor before submitting an application. Visit the Department of Mathematics Research webpages to get an idea of the potential topics and supervisors available. Once you have identified a potential supervisor you will need to contact them directly to informally explore possiblities for PhD supervision and to arrange your Research Proposal - please click here for General Guidance Notes for Research Proposals.
The purpose of the research degree programme at UCL is to train mathematicians to conduct research of high academic merit and to make a substantial original contribution to the subject. Registration, in compliance with University rules, is initially for the MPhil degree. Students whose progress is satisfactory may have their registration transferred to PhD (usually after 12 to 18 months). In all cases the degree is assessed by a written thesis and oral examination.
A research degree typically has very little formal structure. At the beginning of his or her career in the department, the graduate student is assigned a primary (and secondary) supervisor whose initial responsibility is to advise the student on choice of topic and subsequently the Thesis Proposal and Research Paper. Where appropriate, research students may be directly associated with research projects that members of staff have in hand. There are few constraints on a student's time and work, so a research student must be self-disciplined and strongly motivated.
The department, which has at any one time an average of 60 graduate research students, maintains a very high standard of recruitment and prides itself on providing friendly, caring and expert supervision of PhD students. It is sufficiently large to be a lively centre for wide-ranging research activity but remains compact enough for academic staff to be highly accessible to students.
Entrance Requirements
Our normal entrance requirement is a first class Honours degree in Mathematics at Masters level (or an equivalent overseas qualification). Wherever possible, candidates are always interviewed. For overseas candidates there will be an alternative interview by telephone or Skype.
All students are required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. For those whose first language is not English, a number of English language qualifications are accepted. A complete list of these is available from the College Admissions Office. This and other useful information can also be found on the Doctoral School website.
Overseas Applicants
We welcome applications from both UK/EU and overseas students, who should apply using the online admissions system as described above.