Mathematical Sciences MSc

<strong>The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2025). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.</strong><br/><br/>The MSc in Mathematical Sciences provides a broad and flexible training in mathematical sciences and gives students with a keen interest in the mathematical sciences the chance to study a selection of interesting and varied masters-level courses.<br/><br/>Oxford has a world-class reputation in the mathematical sciences and this MSc, known as the Oxford Masters in Mathematical Sciences (OMMS), offers you the opportunity to join Oxfords current fourth-year undergraduates and to work with an international group of peers, including other mathematical leaders of the future.<br/><br/>This course is not suitable for students whose primary focus is mathematical finance. These students should apply to the MSc in Mathematical and Computational Finance.<br/><br/>Course structure<br/>This course draws on subjects in mathematics, statistics and computer science: from number theory, geometry and algebra to genetics and mathematical physiology; from probability and mathematical geoscience to data mining and machine learning. You have the opportunity to choose from many options, tailoring the programme to your individual interests and requirements. This course runs from the beginning of October through to the end of June.<br/><br/>You can expect to learn a range of mathematics and/or statistics and to use this knowledge in the solution of complex problems in the mathematical sciences. Your dissertation will provide an opportunity to develop research techniques as well as presentation and scientific communication skills.<br/><br/>You will attend at least six units worth of courses (with one unit normally corresponding to a 16-hour lecture course supported by classes) in addition to writing a dissertation (worth two units). You will be encouraged to work collaboratively in classes, to develop your understanding of the material. Those wishing to extend themselves further might take one or two additional courses.<br/><br/>Depending on how many courses you take in total and how they split between terms, you can expect to attend two, three or four (or, in exceptional cases, five) lecture courses per term. Each lecture course normally has two one-hour lectures per week supplemented by four 90-minute classes per term. <br/><br/>The remainder of your study time in the first two terms should be spent on self-study, consolidating the material covered in lectures, working through the problem sheets set for each class and working independently on your dissertation. In the third term you will mostly work independently on your revision for exams, although guidance will also be available to help structure your studies.<br/><br/>The MSc offers a substantial opportunity for independent study and research in the form of a dissertation. A dissertation gives students the opportunity to develop broader transferable skills in the processes of organising, communicating, and presenting their work, and aims to equip students for further research or for a wide variety of other careers. You will be expected to give a short presentation on your dissertation at the end of the second term.