School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

MPhil Mathematics and Statistics

Duration

Full time: 1-3 years
Part time: 2-6 years
Course type

Full-time, Part-time route available
Study location Plymouth
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Conduct research at the cutting edge of the discipline, working alongside a team of specialist academic advisors within our Centre for Mathematical Sciences. The group's research covers a wide range of fields across the mathematical sciences. Our staff are world renowned experts in pure and applied mathematics, theoretical physics, statistics and data science.

Course details

  • Programme overview

  • This programme is suitable for people who have a particular research question or topic in mind, and wish to explore this through independent study in order to produce an original contribution to the subject. If you aspire to a research career this is the most appropriate research degree to undertake.
    You will be guided by a small supervisory team of academic experts under the direction of a Director of Studies.
    You will be expected to fully engage with skills development and training and to present your research in a range of scholarly contexts.
    You will be assessed via submission of either a written thesis (up to 40,000 words), or one that combines critical writing with professional practice, and a viva voce (an oral examination).
    For full details of what doing a research degree entails at the University of Plymouth, please visit our postgraduate research degrees pages . 
    If you do not already have a masters degree, you may be interested in one of our masters level research degrees – for instance, our ResM Mathematics and Statistics (which enables a transfer directly into the PhD programme if you are making excellent progress).   Further details about the University’s research degree awards . 

Entry requirements
Applicants are expected to have completed a masters level qualification to a high standard (e.g. at 'merit' or 'distinction' level) as well as either a good 2:1 or first class honours undergraduate degree in an area of study appropriate to your project proposal. We are happy to consider equivalent qualifications (for instance, you may have studied different subjects at undergraduate and masters level but have worked in and/or developed an interest in your sector since then).
You will also need to provide evidence that you are ready to pursue the project you propose in your application. This will take the form of a research proposal.
If English is not your first language, you must have proficiency in written and spoken English (normally a minimum test score of 6.5 for IELTS, or equivalent). Given the nature of the programme, you’ll be expected to read and engage with complex theoretical texts and debates for which fluency in English is essential.
For more general guidelines and application requirements, please visit the research degrees applicants page.

Fees, costs and funding
Please visit tuition fees for postgraduate research for information about fees.
If you are a full time student, you will pay full time fees for three years. If you have not submitted your thesis by the end of this period, then you may pay for an optional one year writing up period.
If you are a part time student, you will pay part time fees for four years. If you have not submitted your thesis by the end of this period, then you may pay for an optional 'writing up' period of up to two years.
You are responsible for meeting all of the costs related to your own research project, beyond the resources available in the department. On application, please ensure that you have appropriate funding in place to support yourself; you will need to cover both fees and living costs.
Please visit our postgraduate research money matters page to find out more about issues related to fees, funding, loans and paying for your programme of study.

How to apply

Apply online

In addition to completing the online application form (which includes space for a personal statement), you must also upload a research project proposal. Your research proposal should outline your research topic, your key aims and the research question/problem you are addressing, a brief literature review, your proposed methodology, and an explanation of why this topic is significant or important.
Your personal statement should briefly explain why you have chosen to apply to our programme and what you feel you can offer our research community.
Submitting your application
Complete your application and upload supporting documents to the Doctoral College by completing our online application form.
Questions on the application process?
We're here to help. Please contact the Doctoral College and we'll be happy to assist you.
More information and advice for applicants can be referenced in our admissions policy which can be found on the student regulations, policies and procedures page. Prospective students are advised to read the policy before making an application to the University.

Mathematical sciences research

​Our research covers a wide range of mathematical and statistical fields through our Centre for Mathematical Sciences.
Excellence in pure and applied mathematics, statistics and theoretical physics.
Mathematics and statistics research

Academic staff

Meet our school technical staff  

Our technical staff are integral to the delivery of all our programmes and bring a diverse range of expertise and skills to support students in laboratories and workshops.
Coastal Processes Research Group Perranporth beach
Postgraduate research students listening to a talk