PhD Mathematics

at University of Surrey

Assessment

Your final assessment will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination with at least two examiners. You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form) or in publication format (including chapters written for publication), subject to the approval of your supervisors.

You’ll be assessed in the first 15 months of your PhD through a Confirmation Report and a viva with two internal examiners. Your PhD overall will be assessed through your thesis and a viva, normally with one internal and one external examiner. You’ll also do short take-home examinations for online MAGIC courses and the assessments for any MSc modules you take.

Research support

The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College, which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate Careers and Employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.

Research themes
 

• Epidemiology and ecology 

• Mathematical criminology 

• Cellular systems and quantitative systems pharmacology 

• Data science and statistical analysis 

• Sleep and circadian rhythms 

• Dynamical systems 

• Analysis of Hamiltonian, dissipative and delayed PDEs 

• Perturbation theory (regular and singular) and bifurcation analysis of Hamiltonian and near-Hamiltonian systems 

• Numerics of differential equations, numerical bifurcation analysis 

• Calculus of variations and nonlinear elasticity theory 

• Multi-scale fluid flow analysis 

• Geometric mechanics 

• Ferro fluids 

• Hydrodynamic stability 

• Nonlinear water waves and wave energy harvesting 

• Data assimilation and data science for large geophysical and social systems 

• Quantum field theory, string theory and supergravity 

• Gauge/gravity field theory and string theory dualities 

• Topological field and string theory 

• Classical and quantum integrability 

• Twistor geometry and geometric analysis 

• Data analytics 

• Machine Learning.

Applicants are expected to hold a good first class degree in an MMath, MPhys or MSc qualification, or a first class honours degree in mathematics, physical sciences or engineering.

To apply for one of our postgraduate courses that require a UK 2:1, you must achieve at least 60% or 65% in the final two years of your undergraduate study depending on the institution you have completed your degree.

To apply for one of our postgraduate courses that require a UK 2:2, you must achieve at least 55% or 60% in the final two years of your undergraduate study depending on the institution you have completed your degree.

For courses that require a UK first-class degree to be eligible for a scholarship, you must achieve at least 65% or 70% in the final two years of your undergraduate study depending on the institution you have completed your degree.

English language requirements
 

• IELTS Academic: 6.5 or above (or equivalent) with 6.0 in each individual category and at least 7.0 in the writing component.

​​​​​​​If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.

Annual Tuition Fees:
 

• UK: £4,596

• Overseas: £20,500