MPhil/PhD Mathematics

This programme offers the chance to undertake a substantial piece of work that is worthy of publication and which makes an original contribution to the field of mathematics within our four broad disciplines - discrete mathematics and algorithms, financial mathematics and control theory, game theory, and operations research. You will begin on the MPhil, and will need to meet certain requirements to be upgraded to PhD status.

You have a plethora of topics to choose from including combinatorics, combinatorial optimisation, computational learning theory, control theory, financial mathematics, game theory, graph theory, integer programming, mechanism design, polyhedral combinatorics, probabilistic analysis, theory of computation and algorithms, and in the applications of mathematics in areas such as inspections, network optimisation, telecommunications, transportation, and economics.

Over the course of the years, the Department organises a number of personal development workshops for PhD students, designed to provide tailored support for specific areas of interest, such as careers, impact, and final year processes. Crucially, we have close ties with other departments at LSE, such as Statistics, Finance, Economics and Management, and we are an integral part of the mathematical community of the University of London.

Progression and assessment

You are initially registered for the MPhil, and will be able to upgrade to PhD registration during your second year, dependent on satisfactory progress. Progress is assessed regularly by your supervisors, in consultation with the Doctoral Programme Director, on the basis of the extent to which the agreed research goals have been achieved. Any upgrade is dependent on the successful completion of a Major Review, the date of which is determined by the Doctoral Programme Director in consultation with the lead supervisor.

By the end of your first year you will be required to present a more detailed project proposal. The proposal, which should illustrate your command of the theoretical and empirical literature related to your topic, will be a clear statement of the theoretical and methodological approach you will take. It will include a draft outline and work plan, which should identify any periods of fieldwork necessary to your research. This should demonstrate the coherence and feasibility of the proposed research and thesis.

Careers

Students who successfully complete the programme often embark on an academic career.