Master's Degree Programme
| About the programme Language: English (See language requirements) | Place of study: Aarhus | Commencement: August / September and January / February |
The Master’s programme in Mathematics at Aarhus University develops and expands the basic mathematical skills you have acquired during your bachelor’s degree programme. During the programme you will be introduced to advanced topics of pure mathematics, selected according to your own mathematical interests and preferences. At the end of the programme you will write a master’s thesis, that takes you to the forefront of research for a particular area of mathematics. The master’s thesis is written under the supervision of an experienced researcher in the chosen field.
The range of courses the Master’s programme covers main elements of the three classical areas of mathematics:
and many of the courses examine and utilise the deep and fascinating interplay between these main mathematical disciplines. You can also choose to “spice up” your education with courses in Probability Theory, Statistics, Data Science, Optimisation, Cryptology or other subjects relevant to your degree programme. The courses are taught in English by active researchers and include traditional lectures as well as exercise sessions, in which the students undertake the more active role – individually or in teams. Classes will have a very good student-teacher ratio. Students will be mostly Danes but you will also find some international.
Find more information about the research and the lecturers at the Department of Mathematics here: math.au.dk/en/research/mathematics
”Studying at Aarhus University gave me the perfect chance to really dive into and expand my understanding of mathematics. The teaching is top-notch, the learning environment is exceptionally supportive and the community at the university is unparalleled with cool international clubs and programs such as iMentor and Student Ambassadors. Additionally, I find the quality of life in Aarhus is very high. In this youthful and student-oriented city you can experience Danish hygge and feel a strong connection to nature.”
- Joschua Linke, MSc in Mathematics, from Germany
The Master’s in Mathematics opens up many different career paths. There is a very high demand for math graduates in Denmark. As a consequence of this, there is essentially no unemployment among graduates in mathematics from Aarhus University.
This is mainly due to the fact that an increasing number of large private companies have recognised the need and benefits of hiring employees with the ability to solve extensive and complex problems with a strategic and logical approach. Evidently, such skills are highly developed during the Master´s in Mathematics. Therefore, an increasing part of our graduates of the master’s degree programme in mathematics have found jobs in the private business sector, these include
just to name a few relevant branches. If you have the necessary skills and interest, you have the option of applying for admission to the PhD programme. In the PhD programme, you start working on a research project and are gradually trained through courses and personal guidance to become a researcher.
In this section you can learn more about the admission requirements relevant to the master's degree programme in Mathematics. Depending on your educational background and your qualifications, there are different ways to meet the admission requirements:
This section is relevant for you, if you have:
The two sections listed below are relevant only for students with a bachelor's degree from a Danish institution:
Below you will also be able to learn more about language requirements and find out whether or not this master's degree programme has a limited intake.
If you have an international educational background, you must meet both the general admission requirement and the specific admission requirements:
You must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent that is comparable to a Danish bachelor's degree in both level and duration (180 ECTS).
For more information about how your bachelor's degree is assessed, please see the national database.
If you meet the general admission requirement, the university will continue on to assess whether or not you meet the specific admission requirements.
You can be admitted to the master's programme if the university assesses that your education has a level, scope, and content that corresponds to the academic requirements specified below.
| Subject area | Number of ECTS |
Subject elements within mathematics, covering a broad range of the following subject areas:
| 60 |
Programming course | 10 |
| Total | 70 |
We cannot assess in advance whether your specific degree will meet the above requirements. Therefore, we recommend that you apply for the programme if you believe that you meet the academic requirements. In this regard, it is a good idea to compare your degree with the programmes that provide direct admission.
The following Bachelor's degree programme(s) from Aarhus University entitles you to an offer of admission to the Master's degree programme in Mathematics:
Bachelor's degree programme in Mathematics from Aarhus University
Please note that you must apply for admission to the Master's degree programme within three years of completing your Bachelor's degree programme.
Learn more about Legal right of admission.
Certain Bachelor's degree programmes from Aarhus University and various other Danish Universities have been determined to meet the admission requirements to this Master's degree programme in Mathematics:
This master's degree programme has a limited intake.
Because of the limited intake all qualified applicants will be prioritised according to a set of selection critieria (see below).
Meeting the admission requirements does not automatically ensure your offer of admission. Only if you have a specific bachelor's degree from Aarhus University with a so-called 'legal right of admission' will you be guarenteed an offer of admission to this master's degree programme.
If there are more qualified applicants than available student places, the selection will be based on the following criteria (each criterion counts for 1/3):
Grades from the qualifying degree
Grades achieved in relevant subject fields:
Abstract Algebra
Complex Analysis
Differential Equations
Elementary Differential Geometry / Topology
Integration
Please note that grades achieved after the application deadline are not included in the grade point average (GPA).
Relevant subject fields (measured in ECTS). In this assessment, ECTS credits that are a part of the admission requirements described under ‘Other qualifying degrees’ are not included.
Abstract Algebra
Complex Analysis
Differential Equations
Elementary Differential Geometry / Topology
Integration
In criterion three, the score is based on the proportion of subjects on the bachelor’s degree diploma that fall within the relevant subject fields. In this assessment, ECTS credits that are a part of the admission requirements described under ‘Other qualifying degrees’ are not included.
In order to be admitted to this programme you must meet the university's english language requirements.
Students with bachelor's degree from Aarhus University with a so-called 'Legal right of admission' are exempt from the English language requirement.
Unfortunately, Aarhus University is not able to assess your qualifications beforehand. In order for your qualifications to be assessed you must apply for admission. To learn more, please go to Assessment of your qualifications.
The Master’s degree programme in Mathematics consists of 90 ECTS course activities and projects and a 30 ECTS Master’s thesis. With the help of a teacher from the Department for Mathematics, you will compose your individual study programme based on courses from the course catalogue. Your programme will depend on your academic qualifications and interests. The plan must be approved by the department.
At least 60 ECTS of the 90 ECTS courses must be in mathematics. Each study programme must consist of 40 ECTS core courses. The following core courses are offered:
| Semester | ||||||
| 1. | Advanced Algebra | Differential and Riemannian Geometry | Cryptology | |||
| 2. | Some other math course | Cryptologic Protocol Theory | Algebraic Curves | Homological Algebra | ||
| 3. | Some other math course | Algebraic Topology | Crytographic Computing | |||
| 4. | Master's thesis | |||||
This is an example of a programme with core courses from Algebra and Geometry/Typology. The programme includes 30 ECTS in Cryptography offered by the Computer Science department.
For more information about the individual courses, go to: http://kursuskatalog.au.dk/en/.
In connection with topics for a Master’s thesis, you can get an overview of the mathematical research conducted at the department by visiting https://math.au.dk/en/research/mathematics/.
At the University of Aarhus, you are in close contact with researchers in a way that you rarely experience at other universities. The door to the professor’s office is always open if you need clarification of the study material, and you are encouraged to ask questions at lectures and during exercises. We make heavy demands on your academic skills and independence. In return, you gain considerable benefits in the form of academic challenges and scientific knowledge, in addition to broad competences.
The teaching at the university focuses on independence, critical thinking and collaboration. Part of the teaching is in the form of lectures in small groups, and this introduces new angles to the material compared with the textbooks. You also receive extensive guidance in how to work with examples and projects, and you are given a personal supervisor in connection with your thesis.
The varied forms of teaching, collaboration in groups and the opportunity for close scientific dialogue with the researchers provide you with general competences that are in great demand in the global job market. These competences include abstract, critical and independent thinking, analytical skills and strategic planning. You can use these skills in many contexts – even in jobs you didn’t know you were qualified for.
The teaching is divided into two semesters per year. The teaching and examination periods can be found here.
If you have the necessary skills and interest, you have the option of applying for admission to the PhD programme. You can apply when you have completed your Bachelor’s degree and one year of your Master’s degree or when you have completed your Master’s degree. In the PhD programme, you start working on a research project and are gradually trained through courses and personal guidance to become a researcher. Find more information about the PhD-programme in Mathematics or read examples of current research projects at the Department of Mathematical Sciences.
As a student in the programme, you are based at the Department of Mathematics, which has its own canteen, library, and study areas shared by students. As a master’s student, you can get your own desk in an office that you share with other master’s students. The department also has a number of student organisations such as Eulers Venner (Euler’s Friends) and the Kalkulerbar (Friday bar), through which academic activities, study trips and social functions are organised.
Aarhus University campus is unique, with buildings closely grouped together and surrounded by nature. The campus is conveniently situated close to the city centre, and student accommodation is readily available as long as you apply on time. There are a range of activities, ranging from running to regatta on the lake, film screenings, as well as guest lectures and other university events taking place throughout the year. To ensure student well-being, counselling services are available for students, to offer support and guidance during their time at Aarhus.
As the second-largest city in Denmark, Aarhus is a young and dynamic place with plenty of opportunities. The 36,500 students at the university make up big part of the city’s population, which leaves its mark on city life. An attractive feature of Aarhus is that there are beaches and woods a short bike-ride away, as well as cultural events taking place throughout the year, including the Aarhus Festival in September. The theatres in the city and the ARoS international art museum offer many events that enable you to experience the Danish culture.
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"My team comes into the picture when our customers have to comply with new European Union legal requirements, for example. A typical task could involve developing a new type of billing, i.e. a new invoice form. Here we look at what elements should be included – what is possible, and how do we ensure that the programmes work together? I use mathematics in my job when I use logical thinking, abstraction and when working in a structured manner. I hardly code at all, but I use my IT and domain knowledge. At the same time, this job demands both good collaboration skills and the ability to communicate with people in many different fields."
Mette Strudsholm
Graduate, MSc in Mathematics
IT developer, Danske Bank
