Mathematics MPhil, PhD

Overview

We invite MPhil and PhD proposals in any of our research areas.

As a research postgraduate in the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics you'll work under the supervision of an expert in your chosen field.

Within each field of Pure Mathematics there are multiple subgroups. In analysis, one subgroup concentrates on operator theory and function theory, the other on Banach algebras, cohomology and modules. In algebra there are subgroups devoted to the study of infinite groups, and finite classical groups and their geometries.

Our Applied Mathematics staff have research interests in:

• astrophysical and geophysical fluid dynamics
• quantum matter
• mathematical biology and archaeology
• cosmology and quantum gravity

Lists of example projects in Pure and Applied Mathematics are also available.

We run research seminars in algebra and geometries, analysis, and applied mathematics. Our postgraduate students also get the opportunity to lead seminars.

Specialist courses are offered through the MAGIC distance learning consortium, sponsored in part by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

We're part of:

• the North British Functional Analysis Seminar
• the North British Geometric Group Theory Seminar
• Algebra and Representation Theory in the North, funded by the London Mathematical Society and the Edinburgh Mathematical Society
• the Joint Quantum Centre with Durham University

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

Qualifications explained

Find out about the different qualification options for this course.

MPhil - Master of Philosophy

An MPhil is available in all subject areas. You receive research training and undertake original research leading to the completion of a 40,000 - 50,000 word thesis.

Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications

PhD - Doctor of Philosophy

A PhD is a doctorate or doctoral award. It involves original research that should make a significant contribution to the knowledge of a specific subject. To complete the PhD you will produce a substantial piece of work (80,000 – 100,000 words) in the form of a supervised thesis. A PhD usually takes three years full time.

Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

As a Mathematics PhD or MPhil student you'll be supported by your supervision team. You'll also go through a research training analysis to identify any skills that you need to develop.

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Thesis
• Viva

Additional assessment information

We offer a wide range of projects for the thesis. These will be provided by our academics. You can also propose your own topic.

Postgraduate research student support

Our mission is to help you:

• stay healthy, positive and feeling well
• overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
• get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
• carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
• understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules

We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.

You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:

• research and professional skills
• careers support
• wellbeing
• health and safety
• public engagement
• academic development

Find out more about our postgraduate research student support

Your development

Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering (SAgE) researcher development programme 

Each faculty offers a researcher development programme for its postgraduate research students. We have designed your programme to help you:

• perform better as a researcher
• boost your career prospects
• broaden your impact

You'll build your transferable skills and increase your confidence. You'll do this through workshops and activities. You’ll cover:

• techniques for effective research
• methods for better collaborative working
• essential professional standards and requirements

Your programme is flexible. You can adapt it to meet your changing needs as you progress through your doctorate.

Doctoral training and partnerships

There are opportunities to undertake your PhD at Newcastle within:

• a Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)
• a Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP)

Being part of a CDT or DTP has many benefits. They combine research expertise and training of many leading universities and academic schools. You’ll study alongside a cohort of interdisciplinary PhD students.

PhDs are usually funded. All opportunities available are in the fees and funding section of each PhD course page. The following centres/partnerships may have PhD opportunities available in your subject area:

• Centre for Doctoral Training in Cloud Computing for Big Data
• EPSRC Aura Centre for Doctoral Training in Offshore Wind Energy and the Environment
• Discovery Medicine North - MRC DiMeN Doctoral Training Partnership
• Sustainable Electric Propulsion Centre for Doctoral Training

Your future

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

PGR Home fee note

Home fees for research degree students

For 2024-25 entry, we will be aligning our standard Home research fees with those set by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The standard fee will be confirmed in Spring 2024 by UKRI. The Home tuition fees for this course will be updated after this confirmation. 

Tuition fee increases

If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

Open days and events

You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:

• campus tours
• on-campus open days
• virtual open days
• webinars

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events

Additional information

As a research postgraduate in the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics you will be working under the supervision of an expert in your chosen field. To help you identify a topic and potential supervisor, we encourage you to find out more about our staff specialisms.