Programme structure: Mathematical Sciences (MSc) - what's running in 2026/27

Please note: Programme and unit information may change as the relevant academic field develops. We may also make changes to the structure of programmes and assessments to improve the student experience.

    What do the Levels represent?

    What do the teaching blocks (TB) mean?

    If you are selecting optional units, ensure that you have a balanced workload through the year.

  • Year 1 (2026/27)
Unit name Unit code Credit points Status Teaching Block
Research Project MATHM6301 60 Mandatory AYEAR
Research Skills in Mathematics MATHM0054 20 Mandatory TB-1
Two units from groups 1-6 and three units from groups 7-15 with no more than 20 credit points at level 6, units balanced across teaching blocks and no more than one unit from each group:
Group 1 - TB1
Algebraic Number Theory 4 MATHM6205 20 Optional TB-1
Financial Risk Management MATH30014 20 Optional TB-1
Group 2 - TB1/2
Axiomatic Set Theory MATHM1300 20 Optional TB-1
Asymptotics MATHM4700 20 Optional TB-1
Martingale Theory with Applications 4 MATHM0045 20 Optional TB-1
Set Theory MATH32000 20 Optional TB-1
Information Theory MATH30032 20 Optional TB-1
Martingale Theory with Applications 3 MATH30027 20 Optional TB-1
Group 3 - TB1
Advanced Fluid Dynamics MATHM0600 20 Optional TB-1
Group Theory MATH33300 20 Optional TB-1
Time Series Analysis MATH33800 20 Optional TB-1
Fluid Dynamics 3 MATH33200 20 Optional TB-1
Group 4 - TB1
Quantum Computation MATHM0049 20 Optional TB-1
Algebraic Topology MATHM1200 20 Optional TB-1
Quantum Mechanics MATH35500 20 Optional TB-1
Group 5 - TB1
Complex Function Theory (34) MATHM3000 20 Optional TB-1
Stochastic Optimisation MATHM0044 20 Optional TB-1
Stochastic Optimisation MATH30021 20 Optional TB-1
Complex Function Theory MATH33000 20 Optional TB-1
Numerical Analysis MATH30029 20 Optional TB-1
Group 6 - TB1
Data Science Toolbox MATHM0029 20 Optional TB-1
Geometry of Manifolds MATHM0037 20 Optional TB-1
Group 7 - TB2
Financial Mathematics 34 MATHM5400 20 Optional TB-2
Fields, Forms and Flows MATHM0033 20 Optional TB-2
Financial Mathematics MATH35400 20 Optional TB-2
Fields, Forms and Flows MATH30018 20 Optional TB-2
Measure Theory and Integration MATH30007 20 Optional TB-2
Group 8 - TB2
Galois Theory MATHM2700 20 Optional TB-2
Further Topics In Probability 4 MATHM0018 20 Optional TB-2
Quantum Information Theory MATH30031 20 Optional TB-2
Further Topics In Probability 3 MATH30006 20 Optional TB-2
Group 9 - TB2
Analytic Number Theory MATHM0007 20 Optional TB-2
Statistical Mechanics 34 MATHM4500 20 Optional TB-2
Number Theory MATH30200 20 Optional TB-2
Statistical Mechanics MATH34300 20 Optional TB-2
Bayesian Modelling MATH30015 20 Optional TB-2
Group 10 - TB2
Computational Methods for Data Science, Machine Learning and AI MATHM0052 20 Optional TB-2
Functional Analysis 34 MATHM6202 20 Optional TB-2
Mechanics 23 MATH31910 20 Optional TB-2
Statistical Machine Learning MATH30028 20 Optional TB-2
Functional Analysis 3 MATH36202 20 Optional TB-2
Group 11 - TB2
Algebraic Geometry MATHM0036 20 Optional TB-2
Logic MATH30100 20 Optional TB-2
Mathematical Methods MATH30800 20 Optional TB-2
Group 12 - TB2
Dynamical Systems and Ergodic Theory 4 MATHM6206 20 Optional TB-2
Theory of Inference 4 MATHM0019 20 Optional TB-2
Dynamical Systems and Ergodic Theory 3 MATH36206 20 Optional TB-2
Theory of Inference MATH35600 20 Optional TB-2
Group 13 - TB2
Representation Theory MATHM4600 20 Optional TB-2
Advanced Quantum Theory MATHM0053 20 Optional TB-2
Optimisation MATH30017 20 Optional TB-2
Group 14 - TB2
Topics in Geometry and Discrete Mathematics MATHM0048 20 Optional TB-2
Modern Mathematical Biology and Biophysics MATHM0051 20 Optional TB-2
Topics in Geometry and Discrete Mathematics MATH30034 20 Optional TB-2
Modern Mathematical Biology and Biophysics MATH30035 20 Optional TB-2
Linear and Generalised Linear Models MATH30013 20 Optional TB-2
External mathematics units - you may choose up to 40cp of the following external mathematics units subject to timetable availability. You may choose only one of PHYSM0051 General Relativity and Cosmology and MATHM6205 Algebraic Number Theory 4. You may only choose one of PHYSM0072 Quantum Fields and Particles and units from Group 5.
Advanced Cryptology COMSM0153 20 Optional TB-1
Cryptology COMSM0154 20 Optional TB-1
Quantum Fields and Particles PHYSM0072 20 Optional TB-1
General Relativity and Cosmology PHYSM0051 20 Optional TB-2
Mathematical Modelling in Biology, Medicine and Public Health SEMTM0009 20 Optional TB-2
Mathematical Modelling for Sustainable Development SEMTM0008 20 Optional TB-2
MSc   180    

Award requirements

The pass mark set by the University for any level 7 unit is 50 out of 100.

For detailed rules on the award of credit, reassessment and award of a qualification please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.

Degree classifications:

A classification will be awarded in the following qualifications:

  • Taught postgraduate Masters degree, including a Master of Research (MRes)
  • Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications
  • Exit awards of Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates in designated programmes (as described in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.

A classification is not awarded for exit awards where students are required to withdraw from the programme on academic grounds.

The overall final programme mark is calculated as the average of all unit marks in the programme, weighted by credit point value.

The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:

  • Distinction = final programme mark of 70+
  • Merit = final programme mark of 60-69
  • Pass = final programme mark of 50-59
  • Fail = final programme mark of 49 or less

* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.

Diploma/certificate stages:

To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 100 must be at level 7.

To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level 7.