Overview
Introduction
You’ll have the chance to produce work that makes an original contribution to the field of mathematics and its applications. You have a wide range of topics to choose from, including combinatorics, control theory, discrete mathematics, financial mathematics, game theory, graph theory, mathematical optimisation, machine learning, mechanism design, operations research, probabilistic analysis, theory of computation and algorithms, and the applications of mathematics.
In the most recent Research Excellence Framework, all aspects of our research were ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent. So, you’ll be learning alongside the best in the field.
You’ll attend personal development workshops to support your studies and help prepare for your future career. You’ll benefit from our close links with related departments at LSE, such as Statistics, Finance, Economics and Management. We play a central role in the mathematics community of London.
When you graduate, you’ll be well-equipped for a career in academia or industry, including in financial services, data science, consulting, and technology.
Each year, research students receive funding to help with their research activities, such as attending conferences, and buying books or technology. Additional research funds are also available on application.
Entry requirements
Merit in a taught master's degree (or equivalent) in a related discipline and a 2:1 degree or equivalent in mathematics.
Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.
LSE values diversity and strives to promote equality at all levels. We strongly encourage applications from women, ethnic minorities, and members of other groups under-represented in higher education.
Overseas
English language requirements
The English language requirement for this programme is Research. Read more about our English language requirements.
Competition for places at LSE is strong. So, even if you meet the minimum entry requirements, this does not guarantee you an offer of a place.
However, please don’t feel deterred from applying – we want to hear from all suitably qualified students. Think carefully about how you can put together the strongest possible application to help you stand out from other students.
Programme content
In addition to progressing with your research, you're expected to take the listed training and transferable skills courses. You may take courses in addition to those listed and should discuss this with your supervisor. At the end of your second year (full-time), you'll need to satisfy certain requirements, and if you meet these, will be retroactively upgraded to PhD status.
Year 1
Training courses – Compulsory (not examined)
Courses designed for research in Mathematics need to be chosen in consultation with your lead supervisor.
Discrete Mathematics and Algorithms, Operations Research and Game Theory students will attend four courses organised by the London Taught Course Centre.
There are separate arrangements for students in Financial Mathematics, where courses are provided by the London Graduate School in Mathematical Finance . You also have the option of attending or auditing LSE taught master's courses, where appropriate.
Transferable skills courses – Compulsory (not examined)
Year 2
Transferable skills courses – Compulsory (not examined)
Year 3
Transferable skills courses – Compulsory (not examined)
Year 4
Transferable skills courses – Compulsory (not examined)
Why study with us
Read our alumni stories and discover more about our department.
Meet the department
The Department of Mathematics aims to be a leading centre for the study of mathematics in the social sciences.
The department has a vibrant intellectual community, with fantastic students, internationally respected academics and high-achieving alumni. Our department has grown rapidly in recent years, with exciting developments in research and new teaching programmes and courses.
This research encompasses four main overlapping areas:
- discrete mathematics and algorithms
- mathematical game theory
- financial and related mathematics
- operational research.
All aspects of our research were ranked world-leading or internationally excellent in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2021), submitted jointly with the Department of Statistics.
We embrace the School’s ethos of research-led teaching. Currently, we offer four undergraduate and three postgraduate programmes, as well as doctoral research opportunities on our MPhil/PhD in Mathematics. These programmes are all in high demand – attracting talented students from diverse backgrounds.
Our programmes are highly interdisciplinary and we have close ties with other departments at LSE, including Statistics, Economics, Finance, Management and the Data Science Institute.
Whatever your study route, you’ll benefit from a welcoming, inclusive and friendly learning environment where students and staff are supported to achieve their best.
Learn more about our programmes, recent research and regular events and seminars.
Why LSE
University of the Year 2025 and 1st in the UK
Times and The Sunday Times - Good University Guide 20251st in London for the 13th year running
The Complete University Guide - University League Tables 20256th In the world
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024Carbon Neutral In 2021, LSE became the first Carbon Neutral verified university in the UK
Your application
Overview
When to apply
The application deadline for this programme is 22 May 2025.
However, if you’d like to be considered for any funding opportunities, you must submit your application (and all supporting documents) by the funding deadline.
See the fees and funding section below for more details.
Fees and funding
The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.
You're charged a fee for your programme. Your tuition fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It doesn't cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.
Home
Home student fee (2025/26)
The fee is likely to rise over the full duration of the programme. The School charges home research students in line with fee levels recommended by the Research Councils.
Learn more about fee status classification.
Overseas
Overseas student fee (2025/26)
The fee is likely to rise over the full duration of the programme in line with the assumed percentage increase in pay costs (ie, four per cent each year).
Learn more about fee status classification.
Learning and assessment
How you learn
How you're assessed
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'll 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'll 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.
Graduate destinations
Overview
Students who successfully complete the programme often embark on an academic career.
Further information on graduate destinations for this programme
Top 5 sectors our students work in:
Career support
From CV workshops through to careers fairs, LSE offers lots of information and support to help you make that all-important step from education into work.
Many of the UK’s top employers give careers presentations at the School during the year and there are numerous workshops covering topics such as job hunting, managing interviews, writing a cover letter and using LinkedIn.
See LSE Careers for further details.