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 us please first contact potential hosts and maths.postgraduate@durham.ac.uk to discuss your proposed visit 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 industry.
Over the course of the PhD you will develop expertise 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 eight active Research Groups, each running their own series of seminars and events. You can find out more about the different Research Groups on our Research Areas page.
As you transition from deepening your knowledge, to exploring open problems, to potentially identifying and pursuing your own research questions, you will be supported throughout by your supervision team and through tailored courses provided by the Durham Centre for Academic Development.
The PhD degree lasts three-and-a-half to 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 eight active Research Groups, each running their own series of seminars and events. You can find out more about the different Research Groups on our Research Areas page. You will be supported in your development throughout by your supervision team and through tailored courses provided by the Durham Centre for Academic Development.
The Department of Mathematical Sciences invites applications for Postgraduate Research Degrees across a wide range of research areas. We welcome applications from highly motivated and talented candidates with a strong interest in pursuing postgraduate research.
Applicants for the PhD in Mathematical Sciences are normally expected to have at least an upper second-class integrated Master's degree (such as an MMath) or a merit in a postgraduate Master's degree. In exceptional cases, applicants with a high first-class Bachelor's degree may also be considered.
Applicants for the MSc (By Thesis) or MPhil are expected to have at least 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 modules in English, you will need to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. The University's minimum language requirements for postgraduate study 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 to apply for Research Degrees, but many funding opportunities have early application deadlines. In these cases, applying for funding is typically a separate process to applying for the degree. Moreover, to apply for funding often requires that your degree application is complete and has been processed.
We therefore encourage you to contact potential supervisors as early as possible and aim to have your degree application ready for submission by early December to ensure that you do not miss out on funding opportunities.
To apply, please scroll down and follow the links in the list of degrees.
Before preparing your application, please read the information below.
The degree application asks you to describe your research interests and proposed field of study. A detailed research proposal is not normally required. Please describe your scientific interests, why you would like to undertake a PhD or Master's degree in your chosen field, and how the associated opportunities would benefit you.
If your chosen Research Group has additional requirements or guidance, these are provided in the Research Group information below.
You will be asked to indicate a potential supervisor as part of your degree application. This does not commit you to a particular supervisor, but provides an opportunity to indicate the broad field in which you are interested. We may also suggest a supervisor in your field of interest.
We recommend contacting potential supervisors before submitting your application to discuss your research interests and whether they have a suitable project.
We offer a range of PhD Studentships and other funding opportunities. You can find out more about these here.
We welcome applications from candidates applying for external funding and from self-funded students. Please get in touch with potential supervisors or the contacts in the Research Group information below.
Some funding opportunities require applicants to identify a supervisor or to prepare a joint funding application. We therefore recommend contacting potential supervisors as early as possible to discuss available funding opportunities.
As part of the admissions process, you may be invited to an interview with members of the relevant Research Group. Where already known, further information about interview arrangements and timings is provided in the Research Group information below.
PhD students in the Department have two supervisors who are assigned based on the candidate's research interests and the availability of supervisors. There is flexibility in supervisory arrangements, and these are discussed as part of the admissions process.
The Department has eight active Research Groups covering a broad range of areas within the Mathematical Sciences. You can find out more about the different Research Groups on our Research Areas page.
Below you can find additional information specific to individual Research Groups.
Further information about possible supervisors and research topics can be found here. For any questions about the application process, please contact p.g.applied@durham.ac.uk.
The Mathematical & Theoretical Physics Group offers PhD studentships supported by STFC and grants held by members of the Group. For these studentships, applications received by 1 January will be considered, with interviews taking place in February or March.
Potential supervisors for the next academic year will be listed here later this calendar year.
Further information about possible supervisors and research topics can be found here. For any questions about the application process, please contact pg.cpt@durham.ac.uk.
What PhD Studentships are available?
We have several PhD Studentships each year supported by STFC and grants held by members of the Group.
Note that applicants may also be eligible to apply for other PhD Studentships. As explained above, to ensure that you do not miss out on funding opportunities you should contact potential supervisors as early as possible and aim to have your application ready for submission by early December.
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.
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 or early March if 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 supervisors. This is based on discussions of the candidates interests at interview and the available supervisors. Successful candidates will also have a second supervisor and there is flexibility in supervisory arrangements.
Further information about possible supervisors and research topics can be found here. For any questions about the application process, please contact p.g.probability@durham.ac.uk.
Pure Mathematics includes the Algebra & Number Theory, Analysis, and Geometry & Topology Research Groups.
Further information about possible supervisors and research topics can be found at the following links:
For any questions about the application process, please contact p.g.puremaths@durham.ac.uk.
Further information about possible supervisors and research topics can be found here. For any questions about the application process, 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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