Sydney's famous beaches outside, Sydney's finest minds inside ... At UNSW, you can become one of the "beautiful minds"of mathematics ... . A research degree in serious mathematics at a prestigious university makes you one of the high-fliers who truly understands ... more on why UNSW?

The Ph.D and M.Sc degrees are research-oriented degrees, not requiring coursework, and culminating in the presentation of a thesis. The excitement of research involves making an original contribution at the boundaries of knowledge. Ph.D theses must make "an original and significant contribution to knowledge", while M.Sc theses must demonstrate "the ability to undertake research" and involve an "original investigation."

All projects and theses are undertaken in collaboration with a member of the academic staff, the supervisor (and also a co-supervisor). Since your supervisor will, at various times, be your teacher, your confidant, your friend, your protagonist and even perhaps your (intellectual) antagonist, it is important to choose a supervisor whose research interests closely match yours, and with whom you are compatible. To find a supervisor, visit the list of research areas and contact individual researchers in your area, or email pg.MathsStats followed by @unsw.edu.au. Read also about recent theses.

The School welcomes students from Australia and overseas who have recently completed a successful first degree. It also has a special "back to academia" program for older students with industry experience (see below).

The School provides its graduate students with excellent office and computer facilities and contributes to conference travel.

Our grad students (list) form a vibrant and welcoming community. They hold a seminar approximately fortnightly.

In 2007 our postgrads hosted the Australian Postgraduate Workshop on Stochastic Processes and Modelling

Blurbs and tasteful photos for a few of them - Ben Waterhouse ... John Ormerod ... David Maher ... CEDL students

If you would like to be put in contact with one of them, email us.

There are various sources of funding, including scholarships and tutoring.

Postgrad degrees can lead to academic careers but they are also widely sought in a range of other careers.

The School recognises the value of industry experience for developing a mature appreciation of mathematics and its uses. It welcomes applications from graduates with several years of work experience who wish to trade the high pressure of routine work for the intellectual challenge of working on applicable mathematics. The US-style practice of moving back and forth between industry and academia means that the financial and other industries value the depth of understanding that a postgrad degree reveals (see careers). A postgrad degree can fast-track a career. At the same time, the drop in salary to undertake research is small, once tax-free scholarships and tutoring is taken into account.

Potential students wishing to work on a problem while retaining links with their workplace should consider negotiating an ARC Linkage Grant, which can allow an employer to have a postgraduate researching an industry problem for around $5000 cash per year (plus office space and resources).

Advice from an expert:

"I worked in the city for 3 years as a management consultant. It is an interesting job with exposure to many different industries and practical problems faced by business. But ultimately, you don't have the intellectual freedom to pursue your true areas of interest.

"Many of my colleagues were leaving work to take 2 years to study off-the-shelf MBAs at business schools. I figured the time was right to undertake a PhD in mathematics, a subject I had always found genuinely intellectually appealing.

"Mathematical research need not be overly esoteric and abstract. We constantly get enquiries about our research from big investment banks who are keen to apply our work. In an increasingly analytical and data-flooded world, a mathematical PhD is a great way to up-skill and provide that next leg-up in your career.

"There are many obvious advantages to doing research, but the possabilities for travel is one of the best. There are many opportunities to go to conferences in all parts of the globe. These are much more vibrant and stimulating than working late in a hotel room that happens in the business world.

"I'm not sure what I'll do at the end of this. I guess I'll see where it takes me. That, as they say, is the nature of research."

- Ben Waterhouse
2001 - 2003 Management Consultant with L.E.K. Consulting
2004 - 2007 PhD in Applied Mathematics

Postscript: Ben successfully completed his thesis and is currently working at UNSW as a postdoc on a project with Macquarie Bank.

"Welcome to UNSW Maths. You'll find us relaxed, friendly and focussed on excellent mathematics. Come and join us. For any questions, email me."

- Jie Du, Postgrad Director

Read also about the School's industry links, alumni and history.