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The MSc Mathematics is a full-time programme that lasts for one calendar year formally starting in the last week of September. The programme consists of seven optional taught modules which are usually examined in term three, a compulsory term one Research Essay module examined in term two through a written report and an oral presentation, and an individual dissertation examined at the end of the summer. Each taught component corresponds to approximately 30 hours of lectures.
The seven optional taught components are divided between term one and term two. Most of these components include assessment by an element of coursework (including problem sheets, online quizzes, programming assessments), and some will have mid-term tests, oral presentations or mini projects in addition to the Term 3 written examination. The taught modules together with the compulsory Research Essay module account for 2/3 of the final mark with the project making up 1/3. The course is equivalent to 180 UK Credits=90 ECTS (European Credit Transfer Scheme).
All students will start discussing their dissertation topic with potential supervisors in January. Each student will be assigned a supervisor who will meet them regularly to discuss their progress and give them guidance for further investigations. Most of the work on the dissertation will be conducted during the summer with a submission date early in September.
If students are unable to, or do not wish to, complete the dissertation element, they may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Mathematics which only requires the taught elements and the Research Essay module (120 UK credits, with a minimum of 90 UK credits at Level 7). In the case when not all the seven taught components and Research Essay module have been completed, a student may be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Mathematics, which will be issued if at least 60 UK credits were completed, with a minimum of 45 UK credits at Level 7. Students will also have access to a Postgraduate Diploma if they accumulate the required number of credits with a combination of some taught elements and the dissertation component.
The part-time programme will normally span two years and consists of the same components as the full-time programme. Students may spread the seven taught components and the Research Essay module over the two years but must take each module coursework and written examination in the year they attended the module. However, the individual dissertation must be taken in the second year.
Students will discuss their taught modules selection and their general dissertation area with their personal tutor and will be advised to take a suite of modules falling in one of the MSc Mathematics streams to ensure that they acquire specialist knowledge in an area of pure or applied mathematics that can lead to a substantial research project. Students will have to take at least 45 credits in the stream that best suits their interests. Subject to the programme tutor’s approval, up to 30 credits of the taught component could be taken from other departments (see the Programme Structure for more details on the modules available).