Course details

Summary

The PhD is a globally recognised postgraduate research degree, the highest level of degree you can achieve. PhD students are critical, curious, creative thinkers who undertake original research over at least 3 years. As well as your supervised original research, through your doctoral programme you will have opportunities to expand and develop your personal and professional skills. Doctoral candidates present their work at local and international conferences, and are encouraged to network and collaborate with a wide range of experts in their research field.

This course is also offered at overseas and Manukau location.

Mathematics

Mathematics interacts with other disciplines and makes essential contributions to science, medicine and commerce as well as to many important contemporary areas of technology such as communications, linguistics and genetics. Wherever problems need to be solved, mathematics has a role to play.

Postgraduate study in Mathematics opens up a world of possibilities. It can enable you to indulge your academic enthusiasm or satisfy your intellectual curiosity, at the same time providing you with advanced knowledge and problem-solving skills applicable in any number of fields. The University of Auckland has the largest university mathematics department in New Zealand and is among the best in Australasia. A full range of courses are taught at postgraduate levels, with particular research strengths across the spectrum of mathematics, from algebra, combinatorics, complex analysis and differential equations to mathematical modelling, functional analysis and operator theory, history of mathematics, numerical analysis, and topology. Many of the staff are leading figures in their area, with strong international reputations for their research. Honours graduates from the Department of Mathematics at the University of Auckland are sought after by some of the top universities in North America and Europe.

Programme structure

The University of Auckland PhD is a three-to-four year full-time advanced research degree.

On entry to the PhD programme, you will be enrolled provisionally. By the end of your first year, you must meet a number of goals to be confirmed into the PhD programme, including developing a full thesis proposal. After confirmation, you will continue to work on your research before submitting your thesis for examination after three years and within four years of your start date. The examination process includes an oral exam.

As part of your PhD study, you can take part in our doctoral skills programme, designed to help you achieve success in your research and develop skills for your future. We have a dedicated postgraduate careers advisor, and our library service includes specialist subject librarians to help you in your research. The central School of Graduate Studies provides dedicated support and advice for the doctoral community.

Where could this programme take you?

Our PhD graduates are successful in a wide range of fields and careers, as well as the traditional academic research career path. The PhD gives you extensive specialist and transferable skills, which are sought after in many sectors, including industry and government, and can even help you to develop entrepreneurship skills to run your own startup.

Entry criteria

• Masters-level qualification or the equivalent of a bachelors degree with honours
• GPE 5.5
• Evidence of significant research, usually undertaken as part of prior study

English language requirements:

IELTS 6.5; TOEFL (iBT) 90; TOEFL (paper-based) 575; CAE or CPE 176; PTE 58; MELAB 85.