Program Overview

MPhil Applied Mathematics

The MPhil Applied Mathematics provides students with the opportunity to study areas such as dynamical systems, pattern formation, chaos theory, ordinary and partial differential equations, Hamiltonian systems, stability theory, computational neuroscience, complex systems, complex networks, and nonlinear waves.

Overview

• Course: Applied Mathematics
• Start date: October 2026
• Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
• Duration: 2 - 3 years
• Location: Colchester Campus
• Based in: Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science (School of)

The School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science has an internationally excellent reputation in areas such as algebraic geometry, group theory, semigroup theory, differential equations, optimisation, probability, applied statistics, bioinformatics, and mathematical biology. Staff are strongly committed to research and teaching, with publications in international journals.

Entry Requirements

UK Entry Requirements

• A good honours degree or a Masters degree in a relevant subject.
• A well-developed research proposal is also essential.
• May be required to attend an interview/Skype interview for acceptance.

International & EU Entry Requirements

• A wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries are accepted.
• English language requirements: IELTS 6.0, or equivalent with a minimum of 5.5 in all other components.

Structure

Course Structure

• A research degree gives students the chance to investigate an area or topic in real depth and develop transferable research skills.
• Opportunities to attend conferences, publish papers, and give talks at departmental research seminars.
• Meeting with supervisor typically on a weekly basis.

Assessment

• An MPhil takes two years, involving wide reading around the subject area in the first year, then developing and writing up original results over the second year.
• The resulting thesis is expected to make a contribution to knowledge.
• Awarded after successful defence of the thesis in an oral examination (viva).

Fees and Funding

Home/UK Fee

• ｣5,238 per year

International Fee

• ｣20,625 per year

Scholarships and Financial Support

• There may be scholarships, bursaries, or discounts available to help with the cost of the course.

What's Next

• Open Days: Events for applicants to find out more about studying at Essex.
• Applying: Application process for the postgraduate course.
• Visit Colchester Campus: Information about the campus and its location.

Related Courses

• PhD Applied Mathematics
• MSc (by Dissertation) Applied Mathematics

Research Areas

The School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science has research groups working on a broad range of collaborative areas tackling real-world issues, including:

• Data science
• Financial data
• Physical processes
• Optimisation
• Pure mathematics
• Mathematical education

Specialist Facilities

• Dedicated work space and PCs for research students
• Access to software such as MATLAB, Gap, SageMath, Python, and R
• Proficio scheme for training courses and funding
• Part of MAGIC, a consortium of 22 UK universities sharing PhD-level Mathematics courses

Your Future

• Studying a research degree in mathematics gives students the opportunity to develop new skills and enhance their CV.
• Graduates have joined organisations like the Met Office, the Ministry of Defence, and companies based in the City of London, or remained in academia.