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Master of Mathematics (Leuven)

Master of Science
This master is a research-based master’s programme in which you can specialise in the following fields of
mathematics: Pure Mathematics: Algebra, Analysis and Geometry; and Applied Mathematics: Statistics,
Financial Mathematics, Computational Mathematics, Astrophysical application and Space Weather.
You are trained to be a mathematician with a broad view on the scientific domain on the one side, and a
thorough knowledge of a number of specialised disciplines within mathematics.
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Master of Mathematics (120 ECTS)

Education

What is the Master of Mathematics all about? Key information

Besides a solid, all-round education in mathematics, the programme offers you the possibility to focus on either pure or Location
applied mathematics. This allows you to acquire both breadth of knowledge and depth in your own areas of interest. Pure
Leuven
and applied mathematics courses are firmly grounded in the core research activities of the Department of Mathematics.
Gradually, you will gain experience and autonomy in learning how to cope with new concepts, higher levels of abstraction,
Ects + duration
new techniques, new applications, and new results. This culminates in the master’s thesis, where you become actively
involved in the research performed in one of the various mathematical research groups of the Departments of Mathematics,
120 ECTS (2 years full-time)
Physics, and Astronomy and Computer Science.
Educational level
Structure Master’s

The programme consists of 120 ECTS. You choose one of the two profiles – Pure Mathematics or Applied Mathematics (54 Academic calendar
ECTS) – and one of the two options – Research Option or Professional Option (30 ECTS). The profile allows you to 1st semester: end of September -
specialise either in pure mathematics (algebra, geometry, analysis), or in applied mathematics (statistics, financial and > end of January (exams in
actuarial mathematics, astrophysical applications and space weather). January)
There is one common course: ‘Mathematics of the 21st Century’ (6 ECTS). To complete the programme, you carry out a
research project that results in a master’s thesis (30 ECTS).
2nd semester: half of February ->
end of June (exams in June)
Department KU Leuven academic calendar

All staff members of the Department of Mathematics are actively involved in the two-year master's programme. The Applying
academic staff at the Department of Mathematics consists of leading experts in their fields. Researchers in pure Application deadline
mathematics focus on algebraic geometry and number theory, algebraic topology and group theory, functional analysis
and classical analyses, differential geometry. Researchers in mathematical statistics deal with actuarial statistics, financial 1 March (for non-EEA citizens)
mathematics and stochastic processes, robust statistics, semi- and non- parametric statistics. Research in the applied 1 June (for EEA citizens)
mathematics group is in computational modelling, astrophysical applications and space weather.
How to apply
Application deadline for 2019-2020
www.kuleuven.be/application
1 March 2019 (for non-EEA citizens)
Tuition fee 2018-2019
1 June 2019 (for EEA citizens)
€922.30
KU Leuven uses an online application system. You can submit your application form
via www.kuleuven.be/application. Students with a Flemish degree can consult www.kuleuven.be/inschrijven. Most recent information
on www.kuleuven.be/tuitionfees
Tuition fee
Chat with our students
The current tuition fee is €922.30. The tuition fee for the 2019-2020 academic year will be determined in the spring of 2019.
Please consult the website for the most recent information: www.kuleuven.be/tuitionfees. Student Ambassadors
Master mind Open days
Excellent students who are eligible for a Master Mind Scholarship are invited to submit their application before 1 Meet us in Belgium
February 2019. Meet us abroad

Brochure
Download the brochure
Request the brochure
Profile
Faculty website
Is this the right programme for me? Faculty of Science
To be eligible for the Master of Science in Mathematics, you must have obtained a bachelor’s degree in the field of
mathematics. The ideal prospective student has completed at least 75 ECTS of coursework covering the following
domains/topics: linear algebra, analysis (real functions of one and several variables, complex analysis), algebra (groups,
fields, rings), geometry (affine, Euclidean and projective geometry, curves and surfaces), differential equations, statistics,
probability and numerical mathematics. Furthermore the student should have been introduced to a discipline in which
mathematics is applied (e.g. physics), with coursework totalling at least 15 ECTS.

You also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency. Good knowledge of the English language is essential.
Unless you are of Anglo-Saxon origin, you will be asked to submit a TOEFL or IELTS certificate. If you have already
completed an English-language programme at an Anglo-Saxon university, your degree will be considered sufficient proof
of your English proficiency

Admission requirements

Admission requirements Master of Mathematics

General admissions

Career perspectives

Career perspectives
Mathematicians find employment in industry and in the banking, insurance, and IT sectors. Many graduates from the
research option pursue a career in research and start a PhD in mathematics, mathematical physics, astrophysics,
engineering, or related fields.

Start your career, during your studies

During your bachelor's and master's programme you can already shape your own profile by choosing a certain
specialisation, studying abroad (Erasmus), doing a work placement, or starting your own business.

The Student Career Centre is happy to put you on the right track towards your first work experience. The centre also
coaches you in the search for an interesting job and helps you with job interviews. For students wanting to start their own
business KU Leuven also has Lcie, the KU Leuven community that encourages students with innovative and
entrepreneurial ideas.

Don’t know where to start? The Student Career Centre's databases contain offers for jobs, volunteer work, innovation
projects and student jobs. You can also visit one of the events organised by the Career Centre.

Contact

Faculty of Science Leuven

Geel Huis
Kasteelpark Arenberg 11 box 2100
3001 HEVERLEE, Belgium
Tel. + 32 16 32 14 01
info.wet@kuleuven.be

Programme director
Wim Veys (vanaf 1/10/16)
Tel. +32 16 32 70 92 or +32 16 32 70 07
wim.veys@kuleuven.be
Visit this programme's website.

Objectives

After successful completion of the Master in Mathematics the student is prepared for a professional career in either
research, government or business and industry.

Discipline-related competences
- The student has advanced and in-depth knowledge and understanding of complex theories, models, methods and
techniques in a number of areas of pure mathematics and / or applied mathematics.
- The student has knowledge and understanding of current (state-of-the-art) scientific research in one or more areas of
mathematics. The student can situate these scientific developments within the discipline.
- The student can analyze independently complex mathematical or scientific problems, build models for those problems
and devise appropriate solutions.
- The student has an advanced understanding of the relationship between various areas of mathematics and / or
applications of mathematics.
- The student can follow complex mathematical reasoning, assimilate the argumentation critically and devise creatively new
proofs and argumentations.
- The student has a critical attitude towards research methods and results, and can analyze, interpret and, if necessary,
adjust them.
- When confronted with a rather vague or generally formulated problem, the student is able to define and solve relevant
subproblems.
- Based on the knowledge and experience gained from general solution strategies, when dealing with a specific problem,
the student can choose a concrete and appropriate solution strategy.
- The student can independently select appropriate ICT tools and use them efficiently when doing mathematical work.
- The student has a critical understanding of the international dimension of mathematical research.
- The student can describe the role of advanced mathematics in a broader social context.

General scientific competences

- The student can build independently on previously acquired scientific knowledge.
- The student can plan and carry out independently a scientific study in one of the areas of mathematics or its applications;
he can write down his results in a scientific paper, and he can communicate correctly his findings to both laymen and
specialists.
- The student has an inquisitive, interested attitude and has the will and motivation to attain advanced and in depth
understanding.
- The student can search independently for new information, critically evaluate it and integrate it with previously acquired
knowledge.
- The student can communicate and present research results both orally and in writing and is familiar with the appropriate
modern ICT tools for that purpose.

General competences
- The student can reason logically, think and interpret analytically also outside mathematical contexts.
- The student can retrieve information, evaluate it critically and assimilate it..
- The student can think in a systematical, abstracting and structuring way.
- The student can plan, evaluate and adjust his learning process independently.

Option-related competences
Depending on the option chosen (research, professional) the student has additional option-related competences.

Research Option
The learning outcomes for the Research Option relate to a broader and deeper knowledge of some mathematical topics
and greater independence in the understanding and presentation of advanced mathematics. The option provides a
preparation for possibly starting an advanced research training, usually leading to a PhD or a research position.
- Compared to a student from the other options, a student who has chosen the Research Option, has a broader and
deeper knowledge of some mathematical topics that are not directly related with the thesis.
- The student is able to assimilate advanced mathematics fully independently.
- The student is able to distill relevant information from a research seminar..
- The student is more proficient in working on a research task in advanced mathematics and in presenting the results to
experts.

Professional Option
The learning outcomes for the Professional Option relate to an in-depth knowledge in an economically relevant application
area of mathematics, the mathematical modeling and analysis of business inspired or socially relevant problems and the
insights and skills that are relevant in an economic context.
- The student has in-depth knowledge in one or more of the economically relevant applications of mathematics.
- The student can model ans analyze business related or socially relevant problems mathematically.
- The student has insights and skills that are relevant in an economic context.

Access after preparatory, bridging or abridged programme :

Master of Actuarial and Financial Engineering (New programme as from 2018-2019) (Leuven), after taking
Voorbereidingsprogramma: Master in de actuariële en financiële wetenschappen / Master of Actuarial and Financial
Engineering (Leuven)
Master in de actuariële en financiële wetenschappen (nieuw programma vanaf 2018-2019) (Leuven), after taking
Voorbereidingsprogramma: Master in de actuariële en financiële wetenschappen / Master of Actuarial and Financial
Engineering (Leuven)
Master in de actuariële en financiële wetenschappen (nieuw programma vanaf 2018-2019) (Leuven), after taking
Preparatory Programme: Master of Actuarial and Financial Engineering (Leuven)

Admission requirements

Master of Mathematics (Leuven)

In the context of the wellbeing law certain data must be stored for each student and they must be informed timely on the
subject of:

the risks to which the student is exposed during the study programme (practicals, traineeships, master's theses,…)
the associated preventive measures for each risk, such as medical follow-up, personal protective equipment and
instructions.
The risks and preventive measures are collected in the HSE-file for students. Through this link you can consult the HSE-
file. The HSE-file will be used for traineeships and/or master’s theses. For more information about traineeships, we refer to
the following site: traineeship.. For questions, please contact the HSE Department.
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