Postgraduate study

Computational Applied Mathematics MSc

Awards: MSc

Study modes: Full-time

Funding opportunities

The program not only taught me how to apply my algorithmic thinking skills to mathematics, but also how to construct a rigorous mathematical framework for computer science-based concepts. The optional modules are rather diverse, offering a good balance between introductory and advanced courses.

Anastasia Istratuca MSc Computational Applied Mathematics, 2020/21
Anastasia Istratuca               MSc Computational Applied Mathematics, 2020/21

Computational Mathematics, in particular the physical applied areas and the theory and implementation of numerical methods and algorithms, have wide-ranging applications in both the public and private sectors.

More recently, in this era of ubiquitous and cheap computing power, there has been an explosion in the number of problems that require us to understand processes by modelling them, and to use data sets that are large. The subject of Computational Mathematics has become increasingly prominent.

There is high demand also for computational modellers and data scientists. This programme concentrates on the overlap and synergy between these fields.

Links with Industry

The School of Mathematics has connections with a wide number of industrial partners, organisations, charities and government departments. As an MSc student in the School you will have opportunities to engage with these external organisations through regular employability events, careers workshops, and our annual analytics challenge (whose recent partners have included Edinburgh Airport and the Data and Marketing Association). There is also the opportunity to undertake a dissertation project with an external partner.

Recent partners for industry-based dissertations in the Computational Applied Mathematics MSc include:

  • UK Space Launch Services
  • Bays Consulting
  • Viapontica AI

This programme involves two taught semesters of compulsory and optional courses followed by your dissertation project.

Compulsory courses have previously included:

  • Applied Dynamical Systems
  • Numerical Linear Algebra
  • Python Programming
  • Numerical Partial Differential Equations
  • Research Skills for Computational Applied Mathematics

Optional courses have previously included:

  • Applied Stochastic Differential Equations
  • Statistical Methodology
  • Stochastic Modelling
  • Fundamentals of Optimization
  • Statistical Programming
  • Bayesian Theory
  • Introductory Probability and Statistics
  • Industrial Mathematics
  • Data Analytics with High Performance Computing*
  • Numerical Ordinary Differential Equations and Applications
  • Time Series
  • Large Scale Optimization for Data Science
  • Optimization Methods in Finance
  • Biomedical Data Science
  • Bayesian Data Analysis
  • Mathematics in Action
  • Machine Learning in Python
  • Data Assimilation

*delivered by the School of Informatics

Dissertation projects

Dissertation projects on this programme can be undertaken in partnership with public and private sector organisations. Other students choose an academic project without a direct link to an external organisation.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

AwardTitleDurationStudy mode
MScComputational Applied Mathematics1 YearFull-timeProgramme structure 2023/24

At the end of this programme you will have:

  • the ability to apply computational and mathematical techniques to problems in science and industry
  • detailed practical experience of programming and numerical techniques
  • developed transferable skills, including communication and presentation skills, as well as group work and time management
  • encountered modern techniques in computational applied mathematics through studying recent research
  • had the opportunity to study data-centric computing techniques such as machine learning

This programme will provide training in the tools and techniques of mathematical modelling and scientific computing. It will also provide students with skills for problem solving using modern techniques of applied mathematics.

Key graduate employment sectors include:

  • software engineering
  • data science
  • banking and finance

In addition to entering employment, many of our graduates progress on to study a PhD in a variety of topics including:

  • applied and computational mathematics
  • computational biology
  • biomedical engineering
  • physics

Students have gone on to study their PhDs at a variety of highly-ranked universities such as ETH Zurich, Edinburgh, Bristol and St Andrews.

Student Support Team

In the School of Mathematics, we have a dedicated Student Support Team consisting of six staff members. You will have a Student Adviser who is your first point of contact during your time at the University of Edinburgh, and who is available to help and advise on a range of issues connected to your postgraduate study. Study support will be provided by academics acting as Cohort Leads, with wider teaching teams, who will work with students to connect you with your programme of study and provide you with more specialist subject support.

Student blogs

Learn about what life is like as a MSc student in the School of Mathematics, by hearing from the people that have experienced it first-hand! Our student bloggers come from all across the world, and have studied on a variety of our MSc programmes.

These entry requirements are for the 2023/24 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2024/25 academic year will be published on 2 October 2023.

A UK 2:1 degree, or its international equivalent, in a numerate discipline such as mathematics, engineering, computer or physical sciences.

Previous study of applied mathematics, probability and differential equations at university level will be required.

Applicants should have studied a university level course with a substantial programming element, or have an equivalent level of programming experience.

You can increase your chances of a successful application by exceeding the minimum programme requirements.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

English language requirements

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

  • IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
  • PTE Academic: total 62 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

Application fee

None.

Deposit

None.

Additional programme costs

None.

Living costs

You will be responsible for covering living costs for the duration of your studies.

Tuition fees

AwardTitleDurationStudy mode
MScComputational Applied Mathematics1 YearFull-timeTuition fees

School of Mathematics funding

There may be School funding available for well-qualified candidates.

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

  • your programme
  • the duration of your studies
  • your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

  • Programme Administrator
  • Phone: +44 (0)131 650 5386
  • Contact: cammsc@ed.ac.uk
  • James Clerk Maxwell Building
  • The King's Buildings Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH9 3FD
Programme start date Application deadline
11 September 2023 31 August 2023

Due to high demand, the school operates a number of selection deadlines.

We strongly recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications may close earlier than the published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand.

We will make a small number of offers to the most outstanding candidates on an ongoing basis, but hold the majority of applications until the next published selection deadline.

We aim to make the majority of decisions within eight weeks of the selection deadline.

If we have not made you an offer by a specific selection deadline this means one of two things:

  • your application has been unsuccessful, in which case we will contact you to let you know, or
  • your application is still being considered, will be carried forward for consideration in the next selection deadline and we’ll be in touch once a decision is made

Selection Deadlines

Round Application Deadline Decisions made or applications rolled to next deadline
1 31 January 31 March
2 31 March 31 May
3 31 May 31 July

*(Revised 11 November to update selection deadline dates and clarify when decisions on applications will be made.)

You must submit one reference with your application.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

Further information

  • Programme Administrator
  • Phone: +44 (0)131 650 5386
  • Contact: cammsc@ed.ac.uk
  • James Clerk Maxwell Building
  • The King's Buildings Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH9 3FD