PhD Mathematics and Statistics

University of Plymouth

About the course

Conduct research at the cutting edge of the discipline, working alongside a team of specialist academic advisors within our Centre for Mathematical Sciences. The group's research covers a wide range of fields across the mathematical sciences. Our staff are world renowned experts in pure and applied mathematics, theoretical physics, statistics and data science. To discover more about our research interests, see our research group and staff pages.

You work on an advanced research project with a small supervisory team of academic experts under the direction of a Director of Studies. You are normally registered as an ‘MPhil/PhD’ candidate and will apply to transfer to ‘PhD’ status 12–21 months after registration, based on your progress to date. You are expected to fully engage with your personal skills development and to present your research in a range of scholarly contexts.

Key features

This full time or part time doctoral programme is suitable for people who have a particular research question or topic in mind, and wish to explore this through independent study in order to produce an original contribution to the subject. If you aspire to a research career this is the most appropriate research degree to undertake.

You will be guided by a small supervisory team of academic experts under the direction of a Director of Studies. Even if you already have a masters degree, you will normally be registered as a ‘MPhil/PhD’ candidate and may apply to transfer to ‘PhD’ status around 12–21 months after registration, based on your progress to date.

You will be expected to fully engage with skills development and training and to present your research in a range of scholarly contexts.

Your PhD will be assessed via submission of either a written thesis (up to 80,000 words), or one that combines critical writing with artistic, creative and/or professional practice, and a viva voce (an oral examination).