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You'll need a 2:1 degree in a quantitative subject with an appropriate level (2:1 or equivalent) for your Mathematics modules, which must form a substantial part of your degree.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must show that you can use English to the level we require. Visit our English language pages to find out which qualifications we accept and how you can meet our requirements.

If you are taking the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), you must get at least the following scores:

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet direct entry requirements, you can apply to complete a Pre-Master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus.

You'll progress to your chosen course after successfully completing the programme.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

This is a full-time MSc which runs over 12-months from September to the following September. There are 2 semesters of taught material.  You’ll then complete an MSc project (usually in the summer).  

In semesters 1 and 2  you'll study a combination of modules that everyone on the course must study, and additional modules you'll get to choose from a range of options. These will provide you with the necessary foundations in operational research and statistics.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

The learning activities for this course include: 

• careers talks from external organisations
• employability skills training
• computer programming
• collecting and analysing data
• using IT for optimisation, simulation, and statistical software
• coursework
• individual and group projects

Assessment

We’ll assess you through:

• coursework and essays
• a dissertation
• group essays
• individual and group projects
• written exams

Dissertation

You'll need to submit a dissertation on your project work soon after the end of the taught period of study. You'll be required to complete their work by the middle of September.

Academic Support

Your contact hours will vary depending on your module/option choices. Full information about contact hours is provided in individual module profiles.

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £17,000.
• EU and international students pay £30,100.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. 

If you study part-time, you may not be eligible for this loan. .

Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences Global Talent Award

Up to 4 scholarships of £10,000 are available for international students starting a full-time, on-campus, postgraduate taught programme in one of the following schools:

• ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Education School (1 scholarship)
• School of Mathematical Sciences (1 scholarship)
• School of Economic, Social and Political Sciences (2 scholarships)

Learn more about eligibility criteria and conditions for the Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences Global Talent Award.

Spärck AI Scholarship

There are 11 Spärck AI Scholarships available, covering full tuition fees and a yearly living allowance of £20,780 inline with UKRI stipend rates. These scholarships are open to UK and International students applying to study an eligible postgraduate course.

Find out more about the Spärck AI Scholarship, including eligibility, and how to apply.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal.
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

Application assessment fee

There is no application assessment fee for postgraduate courses starting in 2027.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

References are not required for this programme.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Inclusion and Respectful Behaviour Policy.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000