Postgraduate Research (PhD)

Maths Postgraduate Research opportunities at Warwick

Warwick offers cutting-edge research within a large and thriving culture of interactions across the mathematical sciences.

All our PhD students are enrolled in one of our Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) to provide high-quality skills training designed to propel students to successful careers in academia, industry or education.

Centres for Doctoral Training within or closely affiliated with Mathematics

1. Mathematics CDT

Our vision is to create a thorough training environment in mathematics and statistics, spanning pure and applied areas. Mathematics PhD students are enrolled on the Maths CDT stream described below. Statistics PhD students are directed to the Statistics DepartmentLink opens in a new window.

2. Modelling of Heterogeneous Systems (HetSys)Link opens in a new window

CDT in the physical sciences for those who enjoy using their mathematical skills to solve complex physical problems.

Quick links:

Maths CDT Open Days

Funding

Maths CDT >

Maths CDT

Unlike most CDTs, ours is not dedicated to a specific area of mathematics. The programme provides a CDT framework for students who wish to pursue a PhD in any area of Mathematics, whether it be in pure and/or applied mathematics.

CDT studentships are funded for four years.

Overview

The CDT includes a taught course component in the first year as students get to know the department, develop relationships with potential supervisors, and deepen their knowledge in areas of mathematics and statistics relevant to their research interests. Training includes:

A very broad range of 40+ modules for CDT students, consisting of specialised PhD modules specifically designed for the CDT and advanced level modules to broaden and deepen your knowledge in various areas, plus PhD-level modules from The Taught Course CentreLink opens in a new window, a collaboration between the Mathematics Departments at the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Imperial, Oxford, and Warwick.
Training in transferable skills, including a module dedicated to communicating to a broad mathematical audience.

Following successful completion of the taught component, and the completion of an individual mini-project, students upgrade from MPhil to PhD and the remaining time is focussed on the PhD project.

The CDT provides ongoing cohort activities throughout the four-year programme. Students participate in:

CDT seminars. Providing students with an opportunity to present their ongoing research.
Group lunches enabling students to interact in an informal setting and give informal presentations to stimulate discussion across the departments.
Skills workshops to discuss options, preparation of CVs, and application strategies for future employment.

Entry requirements

Please consult the information on this page regarding entry requirements.

Why Warwick >

Why Warwick?

The Warwick Mathematics Institute is an internationally leading research institution with activities covering the full spectrum of mathematics and its applications. The Mathematics Department has over 100 permanent academic staff – all active research mathematicians of international stature – plus many research fellows and junior staff. Warwick takes pride in its long tradition of interactions and absence of divisions between fields. The atmosphere is a lively, informal, and filled with interactions amongst staff, students and visitors.

As a Mathematics CDT student, you will be in a community of fellow PhD students whose research covers the spectrum of mathematics.

Warwick Mathematics and Statistics rank third nationally among Mathematical Sciences research groups for research power and sixth for research quality (Times Higher Education)Link opens in a new window, in REF2021, the most recent UK government research assessment. 65% of Warwick's research in mathematical sciences was assessed as World Leading (4*, the highest grade), in REF 2021. More details can be found here.

For more detailed information on the research activities see

Research interests listed by member of staff

Here you will find a complet list of permanent staff with a short summary of their research field, with links to individual web pages.

Research seminars by subject

The Department runs seminars (most are weekly) in a wide variety of subjects and has many junior seminars as well as the graduate student seminar and the weekly Department Colloquium.

Recent PhD topicsLink opens in a new window

Here you will find a list of recent PhD theses.

Centres within or affiliated with mathematics:

Systems Biology & Infectious Disease Epidemiology Research (SBIDER)Link opens in a new window

Centre for Scientific ComputingLink opens in a new window

Centre for Discrete Mathematics and its Applications (DIMAP)Link opens in a new window

Further details >

Further details about the university and life at Warwick

Postgraduate Study

Find general information about postgraduate life and studyLink opens in a new window at the University of Warwick

Accommodation

There are numerous accommodation options, both on and off campus. Find out about the local area and living at WarwickLink opens in a new window

International

Further information and support for prospective students from overseasLink opens in a new window

Student Union

Get a flavour of student life at Warwick and the opportunities offered by our Students' UnionLink opens in a new window

Campus Life

Warwick is a close-knit community bringing together staff and students from all over the world; a hub of opportunity and new experiences; a base from which to explore nearby cities and peaceful countryside. Our campus offer all this and more. Find out more about Campus Life hereLink opens in a new window.

Doctoral College

The Doctoral CollegeLink opens in a new window provides support to postgraduate researcher (PGRs) in a variety of ways.

Funding >

Funding opportunites

The Maths CDT benefits from good funding from Warwick University and the EPSRC among other sources.

Funded students have full fees covered and receive a stipend for 4 years. Additionally, all funded students receive a generous Research Training Support Grant, including a laptop, £2000 for travel, and £2000 for a secondment in year 3 of the PhD.

CDT studentships

The Maths CDT expects to offer 15+ studentships for a start in 2024/25, with a significant number available for overseas fee payers. These include EPSRC funded studentships as well as departmentally funded studentships.

The funding component of the application to the programme allows applicants to apply for one of these studentships.

Other scholarships

There are several other scholarships available from multiple funders, including the University of Warwick. These scholarships require a separate application. Please include in your application details of any scholarships that you have or are considering applying for.

We maintain dedicated funding pageLink opens in a new window with up-to-date information on funding sources, deadlines and procedures.

The demand for financial assistance is high and therefore very competitive. If you are from outside the UK, you are strongly encouraged to also enquire about funding through your home country.

Apply >

Practical information for an application to the Maths CDT

Applications need to be submitted via the central University PortalLink opens in a new window. There is extensive information in the portal on how to prepare an application.

Please select “Mathematics Institute” as department, and “Postgraduate Research” as type of course. To apply to the CDT, select Mathematics (MPhil/PhD) (P-G1P4).

Applications are now closed for October 2024 entry.

The information below is specifically relevant to the Maths CDT.

Key components

The application contains multiple sections, however the key components during the review stages include:

Personal Statement
CV (uploaded in the personal statement section)
Research Proposal (see advice below)
Letters of recommendation
Transcripts

Research Proposal

Specific research projects are not required, and many applicants will have broad interests and not have settled on very specific areas or projects. In that case it is a good idea to use the research proposal document to describe the main areas of interests, what you have learned and find exciting about them, and any projects/thesis that you have done during your degree.

Of course, if you have a clear research interest or a specific project you want to work, please submit it as your research proposal.

Supervisor(s)

Unlike some of the departments we do NOT require that any arrangements have been made with any potential supervisor(s), but of course feel free to get in touch with anyone you would like to work with before applying.

You may want to browse through the research interestsLink opens in a new window of current members of staffLink opens in a new window.

Funding

There are multiple opportunities for funding, both via internal studentships managed by the department (including EPSRC funding), and scholarships (both via the University of Warwick and other funders).

More details can be found in the funding tab.