We currently offer two levels of research degrees allowing you to develop the skills needed to independently tackle cutting-edge mathematical problems and communicate the importance of your work to a wider audience. Find out more by following the links below.
We also welcome students studying elsewhere for higher degrees to spend up to a year in Durham. If you are interested in visiting Durham please first contact potential hosts and maths.postgraduate@durham.ac.uk to discuss this before submitting an application.
A PhD in the Mathematical Sciences will provide you with the opportunity to develop the skills needed to carry out high-level independent research and communicate your results with a wide range of audiences. The PhD degree is designed to prepare you for a career in research and innovation, either in academia or in industry.
Over the course of the PhD you will work towards becoming an expert in a cutting-edge area of the Mathematical Sciences under the supervision of academic staff. You will typically be based in one of the Department's has 8 active Research Groups, each running their own series of seminars and events. You can out find more about the different Research Groups on our Research Areas page.
As you transition from deepening your knowledge, to exploring open problems guided by your supervision team, to potentially identifying and pursuing your own research questions, you will be supported throughout by your supervision team and tailored courses provided by the Durham Centre for Academic Development.
The PhD degree lasts between three and four years full-time (or six years part-time), and culminates with the submission of your thesis and an oral examination in which you have the opportunity to discuss and defend your work with other leading experts in the field.
Scroll down to find out how to apply.
The Master's by Research degrees provide the ideal experience for a career where independent research skills will set you apart, and provide an excellent platform for subsequent PhD research.
Over the course of the degree you will investigate a cutting-edge area of the Mathematical Sciences under the supervision of academic staff. You will typically be based in one of the Department's has 8 active Research Groups, each running their own series of seminars and events. You can out find more about the different Research Groups on our Research Areas page. You will be supported in your development throughout by your supervision team and tailored courses provided by the Durham Centre for Academic Development.
Applicants for the PhD in Mathematical Sciences are expected to have an upper second class undergraduate Master's degree, a merit in a postgraduate Master's degree, or, in exceptional cases, a high first class Bachelor's degree. Applicants for the MSc (By Thesis) degrees are expected to have an upper second class Bachelor's degree.
If your first language is not English or your first degree was awarded by a University not delivering courses in English, you will need to demonstrate proficiency in English Language. The University's minimal language requirements for postgraduate studies may be found here.
We strongly encourage applications to be submitted as early as possible. The admissions cycle for studentships starting in Autumn opens in October of the preceding year.
There is no overall deadline for applications, but many PhD studentships have early application deadlines. We therefore encourage you to contact potential supervisors as early as possible and aim to have your application ready for submission by early December to ensure that you do not miss out on funding opportunities. You can find out more about the available PhD studentships here.
To apply please scroll down and follow the links in the list of degrees below. Before you start preparing your application we recommend reading through the additional information explaining what each Research Group expects in the application and some tips on how to complete the application form.
There is no overall deadline for applications, but many PhD studentships have early application deadlines. We therefore encourage you to contact potential supervisors as early as possible and aim to have your application ready for submission by early December to ensure that you do not miss out on funding opportunities.
The group obtains most of its funding for PhD students via internal calls for proposals as well as via CSC if you are a Chinese national. It is strongly recommended that you reach out to a potential supervisor who will say if they have a project suitable for one of these calls and advise on the process. To apply to these calls requires that your PhD application be processed at the time of submission, with deadlines typically in January. Contacting supervisors by early December is strongly encouraged to have the application processed in time.
We sometimes receive funding from other sources so if you are unsuccessful in your application to one of these calls or apply later in the year funding may become available. Please discuss with your potential supervisor. We also accept self-funded students.
For further information please contact p.g.applied@durham.ac.uk.
The Mathematical & Physics Group also often offers a small number of PhD studentships. For these studentships all applications received by 1 January will be considered, with interviews taking place in February or March.
We do not expect a detailed Research Proposal, but please describe your scientific interests and why you would like to undertake a PhD in Mathematical and Theoretical Physics.
The application asks you to submit the name of a Supervisor. This is not set in stone but an opportunity to indicate what broad area you are interested in.
We normally make offers of PhD studentships to work with a specific primary supervisor based on the candidate’s interests and available supervisors.
The potential supervisors for the next academic year will be listed here later this calendar year.
You can find more information about the research and contact details of potential supervisors here.
For answers to frequently asked questions, please see the FAQ below.
For further information, please contact pg.cpt@durham.ac.uk.
What studentships are available?
We have several PhD studentships each year supported by STFC. The studentships cover fees and provide a UK-standard stipend for 3.5 years of supervised study.
Applicants may be eligible for additional internal studentships in Durham. To be considered for these you should contact potential supervisors as early as possible and aim to have your application ready for submission by early December.
Do we support candidates for external studentships?
We are happy to support strong candidates for external PhD studentships – please get in touch directly.
Do we consider self-funded students?
We welcome self-funded applications – please get in touch directly.
Should I apply to Mathematics or Physics?
There are two theoretical physics groups at Durham University – in the Departments of Mathematical Sciences and Physics, which come under the umbrella of the Centre for Particle Theory. You are welcome to apply to both Departments.
What should I write in the research proposal?
We do not expect a detailed research proposal. Please do describe your scientific interests and why you would like to undertake a PhD in Mathematical and Theoretical Physics. We look for evidence of enthusiasm and ability to make the most of the opportunities that a PhD studentship offers.
Will there be interviews?
Yes. We invite shortlisted applicants for interviews in late February or early March. This involves short interviews with potential supervisors where candidates are asked to solve a problem.
When will I hear back?
You will hear from us in late February whether your application has been shortlisted for interview. We cannot provide information on the status of your application before then.
We begin making offers in March following the interviews.
How are supervisors assigned?
We normally make offers of PhD studentships to work with specific primary supervisors. This is based on discussions of the candidates interests at interview and available supervisors.
Successful candidates also have a second supervisor working in a similar area and there is flexibility in supervisory arrangements.
Pure Mathematics includes the Algebra & Number Theory, Analysis, and Geometry & Topology Research Groups.
For further information please contact p.g.puremaths@durham.ac.uk.
If you are not self-funded, please indicate this to us when applying. For example, you could do this by choosing the Durham Doctoral Scholarship. Some funding options require a supervisor, and during the selection process we may suggest a supervisor in your field of interest with whom you can prepare a joint application for funding.
The application form requests a research proposal. We do not expect a detailed proposal, but it is useful to give us an idea of your scientific interests, and why you want to do a PhD in probability. The application will also ask you to suggest the name of a supervisor. Again, this is helpful for us to get an idea of what you are interested in.
For further information please contact p.g.probability@durham.ac.uk.
For further information please contact p.g.statistics@durham.ac.uk.
If you have any questions not addressed above, you can also contact the Department's Postgraduate Research Coordinator at maths.postgraduate@durham.ac.uk.
Research, scholarship and ideas are at the core of Durham University. Discover our range of postgraduate research opportunities and begin your application.
Find out more about different PhD Studentships and Postgraduate Scholarships by following the links below.
Learn more about PhD Studentships in the Department of Mathematical Sciences.
Learn more about all available postgraduate funding opportunities across the University.
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