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MSc in Mathematics

Mathematics is at the heart of advances in science, engineering and technology, as well as being an indispensable problem-solving and decision-making tool in many other areas of life. This MSc course enables you to delve deeply into particular aspects of pure and applied mathematics, through a wide choice of modules in fascinating areas such as fractal geometry, coding theory and analytic theory. You’ll complete your MSc with a piece of independent study, exploring the history of modern geometry, advances in approximation theory, variational methods applied to eigenvalue problems, or algebraic graph theory and culminating in a dissertation on the topic of your choice.

Key features of the course

Ideal for mathematically inclined scientists and engineers as well as mathematicians
Extends your knowledge and refines your abilities to process information accurately, and critically analyse and communicate complex ideas
Develops an enhanced skill set that will put you at an advantage in careers as diverse as mathematics, education, computer science, economics, engineering and finance.
The most popular MSc in mathematics in the UK.

Postgraduate loans

This qualification is eligible for a Postgraduate Loan available from Student Finance England. For more information, see Fees and funding.

Masters degree

Course code: F04
Credits: 180
How long it takes: Minimum – 2 years
Read more about how long it takes
Study method: Distance learning
Find out more in Why the OU?
Course cost: See Fees and funding
Entry requirements: Find out more about entry requirements.

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Course details Entry requirements Careers

Course details

Suggested routes to the degree

You can take a number of different routes towards your qualification. The routes illustrated below are routes many students are using, or have already successfully followed.

Please bear in mind that other routes are available – see the full module list for all options.

Suggested route 1

Suggested route 2

Modules

The modules in this qualification are categorised as entry, intermediate and dissertation. Some modules are not available for study every year, as indicated below:

Entry:
Calculus of variations and advanced calculus (M820)
Analytic number theory I (M823)

Intermediate:
Nonlinear ordinary differential equations (M821)
Applied complex variables (M828) – next available inOctober 2017 and following alternate years
Analytic number theory II (M829) – next available inOctober 2016 and following alternate years
Approximation theory (M832) – next available inOctober 2016 and following alternate years
Advanced mathematical methods (M833) – next available inOctober 2017 and following alternate years
Fractal geometry (M835) – next available inOctober 2017 and following alternate years
Coding theory (M836) – next available inOctober 2016 and following alternate years

Dissertation: Dissertation in mathematics (M840).

Module study order:

You must normally pass at least one entry level module before studying an intermediate module.
You must pass Analytic number theory I (M823) before studying Analytic number theory II (M829).
You must normally pass four modules before studying the Dissertation in mathematics (M840).
Some topics for the dissertation have prerequisite modules.

Otherwise within each category modules may be studied in any order, and you may register for a module while studying a pre-requisite for that module (i.e. before you know whether you have passed the pre-requisite module or not).

To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:

150 credits from this list:

Optional modules	Credits	Next start
Advanced mathematical methods (M833) Learn advanced mathematical methods with the aid of algebraic computing language Maple, and explore various forms of approximation on this MSc in Mathematics module. See full description	30	No current presentation
Analytic number theory I (M823) This module introduces number theory – which is still undergoing intensive development – using techniques from analysis, particularly the convergence of series and the calculus of residues. See full description	30	No current presentation
Analytic number theory II (M829) This module teaches number theory using techniques from analysis, and in particular the convergence of series and the calculus of residues. See full description	30	No current presentation
Applied complex variables (M828) Complex variable theory pervades many subjects, and this module teaches topics that are useful in the theoretical sciences and of interest in their own right. See full description	30	No current presentation
Approximation theory (M832) Develop your understanding of the mathematical theory behind many approximation methods in common use. The module is based on M.J.D. Powell’s Approximation Theory and Methods. See full description	30	No current presentation
Calculus of variations and advanced calculus (M820) This module, which develops the theory of the calculus of variations and other related topics, is the starting point for our MSc in Mathematics. See full description	30	No current presentation
Coding theory (M836) Explore the theory of error-detecting and error-correcting codes, investigate the bounds of these codes, and discover how they can be used in real situations. See full description	30	No current presentation
Fractal geometry (M835) This module examines the theory of fractals – whose geometry cannot easily be described in classical terms – and studies examples to which it can be applied. See full description	30	No current presentation
Nonlinear ordinary differential equations (M821) Relevant to scientists, engineers and mathematicians, this introduction to basic theory and simpler approximation schemes covers systems with two degrees of freedom. See full description	30	No current presentation

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules M431, M822, M824, M826, M827, M830, M841, M860, M861

Plus

Compulsory module	Credits	Next start
Dissertation in mathematics (M840) Undertake independent study of the history of modern geometry or advances in approximation theory, culminating in a dissertation on a topic of your choice. See full description	30	No current presentation

You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.

The modules quoted in this description are currently available for study. However, as we review the curriculum on a regular basis, the exact selection may change over time.

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:

Knowledge and understanding
Cognitive skills
Practical and professional skills
Key skills

Credit transfer

For this qualification, we do not allow you to count credit for study you have already done elsewhere.

On completion

On successful completion of the required modules you can be awarded an MSc in Mathematics and entitling you to use the letters MSc (Maths) (Open) after your name. You will have the opportunity of being presented at a degree ceremony.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Essential Documents website.

MSc in Mathematics

Entry requirements

You should normally have a minimum of a 2.2 honours degree in mathematics or a 2.1 honours degree in a subject with a high mathematical content. Whatever your background, you should assess your suitability for this MSc in Mathematics course by completing our diagnostic quiz.

If you are new to postgraduate study in mathematics you are advised to start with a single module: either the applied mathematics module The calculus of variations and advanced calculus (M820) or the pure mathematics module Analytic number theory I (M823).

How long it takes

Most students study this qualification in six years at the rate of one module per year. The minimum time to complete is two years. There is no maximum time limit for completing this qualification but we cannot guarantee that the same selection of modules will continue to be available. Not every module is presented each year.

Career relevance

Mathematics postgraduates can be found throughout industry, business and commerce, in the public and private sectors. Employers value the intellectual rigour and reasoning skills that mathematics students can acquire, their familiarity with numerical and symbolic thinking and the analytic approach to problem-solving which is their hallmark.

There are a variety of reasons for studying mathematics at postgraduate level. You may want a postgraduate qualification in order to distinguish yourself from an increasingly large graduate population. You may find that your undergraduate mathematical knowledge is becoming insufficient for your career requirements, especially if you are hoping to specialise in one of the more mathematical areas, which are becoming more sought after by employers. Or you may want to move on to a PhD in Mathematics. The extent of opportunities is vast and mathematics postgraduates are equipped with skills and knowledge required for jobs in fields such as finance, education, engineering, science and business, as well as mathematics and mathematical science research.

There is more information about how OU study can improve your employability in the OU’s Employability Statement from our Careers Advisory Service. You can also read or download our publication OU study and your career and look at our subject pages to find out about career opportunities.

MSc in Mathematics

Key features of the course

Postgraduate loans

Masters degree

Request your prospectus

Course details

Suggested routes to the degree

Modules

To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

Credit transfer

On completion

Regulations

Entry requirements

How long it takes

Career relevance

The Open University

OU Community

OU Students Community

Support

Study

Policy

Course details

Suggested routes to the degree

Modules

To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

Credit transfer

On completion

Regulations

Entry requirements

How long it takes

Career relevance

Where do you live?