Graduate School
Over 140 academics and excellent facilities provide a superb environment for PhD study in all areas of the mathematical sciences
A rich environment and lively seminar programme
Our graduate school includes an EPSRC-funded Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT), and covers all areas of mathematics, operational research and statistics. There are numerous meetings, workshops and conferences held through the year, both at the two universities and, often jointly, at the Edinburgh-based International Centre for Mathematical Sciences.
What's On Offer
Our PhD programmes:
ANALYSIS AND PROBABILITY
Our theme conducts a wide variety of research in modern analysis and probability. Areas that are well represented at the theme include harmonic analysis, analysis and numerics for stochastic differential equations, dispersive, elliptic, and parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs), geometric measure theory, stochastic PDEs, general relatively, machine learning, limit theorems for stochastic processes, random graphs and processes on them, stochastic networks, interacting-particle system, calculus of variations and spectral theory.
DATA AND DECISIONS
The Data and Decisions research theme undertakes research at the forefront of modern mathematical, statistical and computational problems related to core elements of Data Science: optimization, operational research, statistics & uncertainty quantification, as well as their applications in imaging, environmental and medical statistics, epidemiology, actuarial science and financial mathematics.
TECHNOLOGY ENHANCED MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES EDUCATION
You will join a team of researchers investigating the teaching and learning of Mathematics in Higher Education. The team has expertise in the use of technology for teaching and assessing mathematics and developing strategies for lecturers’ development. We welcome proposals on the transition from school to university mathematics and on the teaching, learning, and assessment of Mathematics at the university level, preferably through the use of technology.
AGQ CDT
The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Algebra, Geometry, and Quantum Fields (AGQ CDT) is a collaborative effort by Heriot-Watt University, the University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow. Our programme is at the forefront of mathematical innovation, leveraging the power of symmetry, geometry, and quantum physics to shape the science and technologies of tomorrow.
MAXWELL INSTITUTE TRAINING PROGRAMME
Our core training programme, offered to all PhD students in any of the research themes of the Maxwell Institute Graduate School, covering topics such as Analysis & Probability, Optimisation, Operational Research, Statistics & Actuarial Mathematics, Structure & Symmetry and more.
Our application procedure
We actively promote equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all qualified applicants.
Check you meet the programme entry requirements.
- If you are applying for a University of Edinburgh programme, please check this website.
- If you are applying for a Heriot-Watt University programme, please check this website. Applications are reviewed continuously until June 15th, but early applications (preferably before the end of March) have the best chance of success.
- If you are applying to the MAC-MIGS 2024+, please check this website.
- If you are applying to AGQ CDT, please check this website.
Research Interests
Identify your research interest and determine in which theme you wish to carry out your work.
You should contact staff members prior to making an application in order to identify possible projects and supervisors. This is especially the case for international applicants who may not have the opportunity to attend an interview. However, it isn’t essential for you to have secured a supervisor before making your application.
You can use the search function in the People section to identify possible supervisors and research areas/ topics. When using the search function to identify potential supervisors, please filter by status and select “staff”.
Submit your application
You should submit your application via the relevant application portal:
- University of Edinburgh – please note if you wish to apply to the University of Edinburgh, you must select the appropriate PhD programme (i.e. Algebra, Statistics, etc) when submitting your online application by 22nd January 2024.
- Heriot-Watt University – please note if you wish to apply to Heriot-Watt University, you must follow the steps to create an account before you can submit your application.
- AGQ CDT programme
- MAC-MIGS 2024+ programme
Research groups at the University of Edinburgh
Research groups at Heriot-Watt University
- Actuarial & Financial Mathematics
- Algebra, Geometry & Topology
- Analysis and PDEs
- Applied Mathematics
- Computational Mathematics
- Mathematical Biology & Ecology
- Mathematical Physics
- Probability & Statistics
- TEMSE
A description of the PhD projects offered by the HW research groups can be found here.