University College London (UCL)
Mathematical Modelling MSc
London, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 33,000 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* international students: full time £33,000 - part time £16,500 | UK students: full time £16,000 - part time £8,000. Additional fees may apply
The Mathematical Modelling MSc offers a comprehensive program designed to equip students with skills to analyze and solve real-world problems using mathematical methods. The curriculum covers a range of topics including differential equations, statistics, computation, and optimization, all aimed at developing strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Students also gain practical experience through applied projects and work placement opportunities, helping them connect theory with real industry challenges.
The program emphasizes a hands-on approach with many opportunities for students to undertake independent research and team-based projects. It is suitable for those who want to pursue careers in sectors such as finance, engineering, data science, or consultancy. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to build an understanding of how mathematical models are developed and used across different fields, preparing them for roles that require advanced quantitative skills. The program balances theoretical knowledge with practical application, making it helpful for learners looking to deepen their understanding and improve their career prospects in a competitive job market.
UCL Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to postgraduate students, including our UCL Master's Bursary for UK students and our UCL Global Master's Scholarship for international students. You can click the link below to search via the scholarships finder for awards that you might be eligible for. Your academic department will also be able to provide you with more information about funding.
External Scholarships
Online aggregators like Postgraduate Studentships, Scholarship Search, Postgraduate Funding and International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search contain information on a variety of external schemes.
If you have specific circumstances or an ethnic or religious background, it is worth searching for scholarships/bursaries/grants that relate to those things. Some schemes are very specific.
Funding for disabled students
Master's students who have a disability may be able to get extra funding for additional costs they incur to study.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered predominantly in lectures, with some modules offering coursework assignments and the programming component accompanied by lab practicals.
The programme is delivered through seminar-style lectures and problem and computer-based classes. Student performance is assessed through a combination of unseen examination and coursework. For the majority of courses, the examination makes up between 90–100% of the assessment. The project is assessed through the dissertation and an oral presentation.
Typically, each taught module has 30 hours of lectures. About 20-25 hours a week are recommended for independent study. In addition, students are encouraged to use the office hours provided by the lecturers. Research projects require a similar amount of time, although the work is mostly individual, accompanied by regular meetings with the project supervisor.
For full-time students, typical contact hours are around 12 hours per week. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.
In terms one and two, full-time students can typically expect between 10 and 12 contact hours per teaching week through a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops, crits and tutorials. In term three and the summer period, students will be completing their own research project, keeping regular contact with their supervisors.
Modules
Full-time
The taught component of the programme has five compulsory modules, four in term 1 and one in term 2. A further three taught modules are optional; these can be taken in either 1 or 2. Examinations in the taught component take place in April/May. The individual research project is in term 3. The project starts immediately after the examinations, with submission in early September.
Part-time
The taught component of the programme has eight taught modules, which are split between two academic years on the part-time programme, four in year 1 and four in year 2. Five of these modules are compulsory. A further three taught modules are optional; these can be in either year. Examinations in the taught component take place in April/May. The individual research project is in term 3 of the 2nd year. The project starts immediately after the examinations, with submission in early September.
Compulsory modules
- Advanced Modelling Mathematical Techniques
- Nonlinear Systems
- Operational Research
- MSc Individual Research Project
- Computational and Simulation Methods
- Frontiers in Mathematical Modelling and its Applications
Optional modules
- Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
- Biomathematics
- Mathematical Ecology
- Asymptotic Approximation Methods
- Cosmology
- Waves and Wave Scattering
- Evolutionary Games and Population Genetics
- Quantitative and Computational Finance
- Variational Methods for Partial Differential Equations
- Applied Stochastic Methods
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment, and module content and availability are subject to change.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Mathematical Modelling.
What this course will give you
UCL Mathematics is internationally renowned for its excellent individual and group research that involves applying modelling techniques to problems in industrial, biological and environmental areas. The department is currently 6th in the UK in the QS World University Rankings 2024 for Mathematics.
The department hosts a stream of distinguished international visitors. In recent years four staff members have been elected fellows of the Royal Society, and the department publishes the highly regarded research journal Mathematika.
This MSc enables students to consolidate their mathematical knowledge and formulate basic concepts of modelling before moving on to case studies in which models have been developed for issues motivated by industrial, biological or environmental considerations.
The foundation of your career
Finance, actuarial and accountancy professionals are constantly in demand for their high-level mathematical skills and according to data from the Graduate Outcomes Survey (Graduate Outcomes Survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of UK and EU graduates in the 2017 - 2022 cohorts. Recent graduates have taken positions in leading finance-related companies such as UBS, Royal Bank of Scotland, Société Générale, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte, and KPMG.
In the engineering sector, one recent graduate has progressed to a mathematical modelling role at a leading transportation planning consultancy; another became a graduate trainee at a business segment of Schlumberger that provides reservoir imaging, monitoring, and development services.
In addition, a number of graduates have remained in education, either progressing to a PhD or entering the teaching profession.
Employability
This programme provides graduates with the skills and knowledge for a wide range of career prospects in fields which require advanced analytical and mathematical modelling knowledge, such as finance, technology and computing, climate research, or engineering.
Networking
Students are encouraged to attend research seminars in Applied Mathematics and lectures/talks by visitors to the Department, as well as seminars organised at other London universities. Communication with our community of PhD students, especially in preparation for the summer research project, provides further opportunities to discuss various areas of research and career choices.