MSc in Mathematics

What you will learn

The MSc in Mathematics course has been designed for students who want to continue their mathematics studies by delving more deeply into particular aspects of pure and applied mathematics. The modules may well be of interest to mathematically inclined scientists and engineers as well as to mathematicians.

Further information about how the modules relate to each other is given in the description for each individual module shown in the tables below. All modules are worth 30 credits, and you are advised not to study more than 60 credits worth at a time. Not every module is presented each year, and we cannot guarantee that the same selection of modules will continue to be available.

Please note that TMAs for all mathematics and statistics modules must be submitted on paper as – due to technical reasons – we are unable to accept TMAs via our eTMA system.

Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.

Time required and cost

To achieve the MSc in Mathematics you must successfully gain 180 credits. You have a maximum of seven years to complete this qualification.

For details on module costs please see the tables at the bottom of this page. The total cost of the qualification depends on the modules studied. As a guide the total fee for 2012/13 academic year was £7,115.

NB: Prices and modules shown below are subject to change.

Career impact

Mathematics is at the heart of advances in science, engineering and technology, as well as being an indispensable problem-solving and decision-making tool in many other areas of life. Employers value the intellectual rigour and reasoning skills that mathematics students can acquire, their familiarity with numerical and symbolic thinking and the analytic approach to problem-solving.

There are a variety of reasons for studying mathematics at postgraduate level. Mathematics postgraduates can be found throughout industry, business and commerce, in the public and private sectors. The extent of opportunities is vast and mathematics postgraduates are equipped with skills and knowledge required for jobs in fields such as finance, education, engineering, science and business, as well as mathematics and mathematical science research.

Key dates

Please see the tables shown at the bottom of this page.

Entry requirements

To study for this masters course you must hold a second-class honours degree from a UK university or other recognised degree-awarding body, or a qualification at equivalent level, in mathematics or in a subject with a high mathematical content.

You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.

You will also need to be proficient in English, to an IELTS standard of 6.0. If you are unsure you will be able to take a free English test as part of the registration process.

Classification of course

On successful completion of the required modules you can be awarded an MSc in Mathematics and entitling you to use the letters MSc (Maths) (Open) after your name.

Credits

For information on Credits, click here.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the following regulations:

• Student Regulations
• Module Regulations
• General Qualification Regulations
• MSc in Mathematics
• Schedule B to the Qualification Regulations.