This is a three to four-year research programme culminating in submission and examination of a thesis containing substantial original work. PhD students carry out their research under the guidance of a supervisor, and research projects are available from the wide range of subjects studied within the Department. Students admitted for a PhD will normally have completed preparatory study at a level comparable to the Cambridge Part III (MMath/MASt) course. A significant number of our PhD students secure post-doctoral positions at institutions around the world and become leading researchers in their fields.

Assessment

Thesis

Assessment for the PhD is by submission of a thesis and oral examination only. There is no standard format for the thesis in mathematics (ie no prescribed word limit). Candidates should discuss the format appropriate to their topic with their supervisor.

The Mathematics Degree Committee oversees the examinations process and is responsible for approving the research title of the thesis, appointing examiners and scrutinising the reports of those examiners before making a decision on the outcome.