Mathematics

PhD

  • Entry year 2025
  • Duration Full time 3 - 4 years, Part time 4 - 7 years
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Overview

Our research expertise is in algebra, analysis, probability, statistical methodology, and medical and social statistics.

Students will have a formal weekly meeting with their supervisor, supplemented by more frequent, informal contact. Our postgraduate instruction is through either intense lectures (on- or off-campus) under the APTS scheme (Statistics), or term-length courses delivered by video-link, under the MAGIC scheme (Pure Mathematics). Any remaining skills gaps will be covered through additional lectures or directed reading. Students are encouraged to participate in appropriate seminars which provide an ideal opportunity to gain valuable experience of communicating ideas to an audience while also receiving feedback; they also help to set future research directions.

Students will have their own laptop, and are generously supported to attend and present work at conferences.

Entry requirements

Academic Requirements

2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in Mathematics, Statistics, or a combination of the two

We may also consider non-standard applicants, please contact us for information.

If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.

Additional Requirements

The first step if you are interested in studying for postgraduate research in Mathematics or Statistics is to contact the relevant PhD admissions tutor.

English Language Requirements

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.

We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.

If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.

Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

Pre-master’s programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored pre-master’s pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University master’s degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Fees and funding

The tuition fee for students with home fee status is set in line with the standard fee stipend provided by the UK Research Councils. The fee stipend for 2025/26 has not yet been set. For reference, the fee stipend for 2024/25 was full-time £4,786 and part-time £2,393.

The international fee for new entrants in 2025/26 is full-time £27,550 and part-time £13,775.

General fees and funding information

Additional fees and funding information accordion

Scholarships and bursaries

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

If you're considering postgraduate research you should look at our funded PhD opportunities.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Find a PhD Supervisor

To begin to develop your PhD proposal, you will first need to find an academic supervisor from one of our research groups. With 100% of our research being rated world-leading or internationally excellent in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), Lancaster is one of the UK's top departments for research in mathematics and statistics.

  • Pure Mathematics

    We have strong research groups in Algebra and Geometry, Analysis and Probability, Discrete Mathematics and Geometric Rigidity Theory.

  • Statistics

    Research in statistics at Lancaster focuses on the interface of methodology and application. We believe that strong interaction with research users is imperative for developing new statistical ideas that are of practical importance.

  • STOR-i Centre for Doctoral Training

    STOR-i is a pioneering four year doctoral training programme with a ground-breaking approach to statistics and operational research.

More Information and Opportunities

Important Information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.

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