Computational Applied Mathematics MSc

Mathematical models and computational methods are at the heart of the technological and scientific advances that are shaping our world. The Computational Applied Mathematics MSc provides its students with the strong foundations needed to contribute to these advances and become science and technology leaders. It equips them with vital skills in mathematical and statistical modelling, numerical methods, machine learning and high-performance computing.

There is also high demand 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 be able to engage with these external organisations through regular employability events, careers workshops, and our annual analytics challenge (whose recent partners have included Edinburgh Airport, the Data and Marketing Association, and SaxaVord Space Port). There are also opportunities 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

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

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 B.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

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. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• 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 65 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the programme you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, or Oxford ELLT test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the programme begins, regardless of your nationality. (Revised 14 January 2025 to include Oxford ELLT.)

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:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

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).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

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

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

This programme will provide training in the tools and techniques of data science, 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.