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Mathematics (MA/PDip, 1 or 2 years)
Course Overview
A Diploma in Mathematics bridges the gap between a four-year Mathematics programme and one that has a substantial mathematical component but is not at the same level as an honours degree. It opens opportunities to taught and research programmes as well as the many career options open to Mathematics graduates.
A Master’s taught programme introduces you to advanced topics and concepts. It prepares you for advanced research degrees, and graduates are also in demand in the financial and semi-state sectors. The programme content is dynamic and research-led. Modules are designed to offer an insight into new and emerging areas of research Mathematics.
Scholarships Available
Find out about our Postgraduate Scholarships here.
Applications and Selections
Applications are made online via the NUI Galway Postgraduate Applications System.
Who Teaches this Course
Requirements and Assessment
HDipAppSc: examination and project work.
MSc: Course (two-thirds weight) and minor dissertation(one-third weight).
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
The entry requirements are a distinction or commendation in a primary degree in Mathematics or Applied Mathematical Science at general degree level (NQAI Level 7), or an equivalent to be determined by the College.
Additional Requirements
Duration
9 months, full-time, HDipAppSc/PDip; 1 year, full-time, MSc/MA
Next start date
September 2020
A Level Grades ()
Average intake
15 (HDipAppSc) | 20 (MSc / MA / PDip)
Closing Date
28th July 2020
NFQ level
Mode of study
Taught
ECTS weighting
90 (MA) | 60 (PDip)
Award
CAO
Course code
Course Outline
HDipAppSc: Students take a range of courses, such as Algebra, Analysis, Topology, Numerical Analysis, and Statistics. In addition, each student completes a project, supervised by an academic member of staff. Module Details
MSc: Students take three courses per semester. Throughout the year, students work on a minor dissertation on a topic of current interest, during which they receive training in modern research techniques, as well as developing presentation and report-writing skills. The school offers a lively environment for studying a Master’s. There are several weekly research seminars on topics in various areas of Mathematics. Students are also encouraged to participate in the workshops hosted by the School’s de Brún Centre for Computational Algebra. Module Details
MA: This is aimed at students with a strong degree in Honours Mathematics. It introduces advanced topics and concepts, preparing graduates for further doctoral studies. However, graduates are also in demand in the financial and semi-state sectors. The programme content is dynamic and research-led. Modules are designed to offer an insight into new and emerging areas of research Mathematics. Module Details
PDip: This bridges the gap between four-year programmes with a substantial mathematical component, and those that are broader in focus or shorter in duration. It opens opportunities to taught and research Master’s programmes, as well as the many career options available to Mathematics graduates. Module Details
Curriculum Information
Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Glossary of Terms
- Credits
- You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
- Module
- An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
- Subject
- Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
- Optional
- A module you may choose to study.
- Required
- A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
- Required Core Subject
- A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
- Semester
- Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.
Year 1 (90 Credits)

Required MA562: Dissertation (Mathematics) - Credits - Semester 1
Optional MA516: Advanced Topics in Geometry - Credits - Semester 1
Optional MA518: Set Theory - Credits - Semester 1
Optional MA522: Discrete Mathematics I - Credits - Semester 1
Optional MA558: Group Theory I & II - Credits - Semester 1
Optional MA556: Algebra I & II - Credits - Semester 1
Optional MA559: Topology and Algebraic Topology - Credits - Semester 1
Optional MA560: Banach Space Theory and Banach Algebra - Credits - Semester 1
Optional MA561: Differential and Integral Equations - Credits - Semester 1
Optional MA517: Discrete Mathematics 2 - Credits - Semester 2
Optional MA519: Computational Mathematics - Credits - Semester 2
Optional MA514: Bioinformatics - Credits - Semester 2
Optional MA557: Probability/Statistics I & II - Credits - Semester 2
Optional MA555: Analysis I & II - Credits - Semester 2
Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
HDipAppSc: Recent graduates have found employment in the education sector and the financial and actuarial industries, and have pursued Master’s and PhD degrees in Mathematics.
MSc: There is a strong demand for graduates with mathematical skills, and the ability to apply them in financial institutions, business firms and semi-state bodies.
Who’s Suited to This Course
Learning Outcomes
Work Placement
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
Fees: Tuition
Fees: Student levy
Fees: Non EU
Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €2,000 towards your full-time tuition. You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee. An F5 grant is where SUSI will pay full-time TUITION up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €224.
Postgraduate fee breakdown = tuition (EU or NON EU) + student levy as outlined above.
Find out More
Professor Dane Flannery
T: +353 493 587
E: dane.flannery@nuigalway.ie
Quick Links
What Our Students Say

Una Carroll | MA Mathematics
I find the courses to be intellectually stimulating and targeted towards my interests. I think that the programme's emphasis on logical thought processes in mathematics is an ideal training ground for the problem solving skills needed in my anticipated career in industry.