Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics and Econometrics (MORSE)MSc

Where are you applying from?

Ranking
Top 100
QS World Rankings 2025
Ranking details
Delivery format
In person
Start date
September
Duration
1 year full-time
Award
Master of Science
Entry requirements
2:1 Honours Degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Industrial Engineering or programmes with a strong mathematical component.
Full requirements
Fees
£10,900 (full-time)
Fee details

Course overview

Play a crucial role in helping businesses to succeed using mathematical knowledge. With a blend of business analytics and optimisation, you'll learn how to help companies improve and become more efficient. Our multidisciplinary courses cover mathematical optimisation techniques, operational research methods, programming, and statistics.

With hands-on projects, we will prepare you to apply mathematical optimisation and statistics in areas such as engineering, healthcare, finance and economics.

The professors are so engaging, and very insightful regarding application of what we were studying in the real world and the School of Mathematics careers events – they were a great opportunity for us to learn about various roles that we could venture into, when entering the job market.
Muskan Nagpal
Current student on course MSc Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics and Econometrics (MORSE)

Course structure

Join our 1 year full-time MSc programme comprising of taught modules during terms 1 and 2 followed by a Summer Dissertation. You'll be assessed using a combination of coursework and end of year examinations for taught modules.

You'll take 60 credits of compulsory/optional modules across various areas of Management Mathematics and Statistics. All examinations will take place during the May/June main examination period. You'll attend 2 weekly lectures and 1 fortnightly guided study session for each 10 credit module equivalent. There are also regular MSc group tutorial meetings.

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Course highlights

Develop your mathematics, business, economics, science, or engineering background to excel in various professional areas of quantitative analysis. You’ll learn how to integrate statistical and optimisation knowledge, analyse problems and provide rational appraisals. Set yourself up for a career in finance, healthcare, technology, and government sectors.

Develop the ability to integrate statistical and optimisation knowledge to address, critically analyse, and provide rational appraisals of problems.
Master software packages for performing statistical analysis and empirical studies.
Focus on achieving optimal solutions to optimisation problems in diverse and challenging environments.

Birmingham is ranked 80th in the QS World University Rankings 2025, maintaining our position in the top 100 universities globally and placing us 12th amongst UK universities.
Study at the School of Mathematics which is internationally recognised for its quality of research in various fields.

Course delivery

Our world-class research and a vibrant, global student community are at the heart of our School of Mathematics. You'll take part in tutorials and projects to consolidate your learning. In the third term, you'll work with your personal supervisor to conduct a research project.

Learn about cutting-edge developments in your chosen areas of interest, with lectures delivered by world-leaders in their fields.
Receive tailored guidance and feedback in tutorials, enabling you to tackle specific challenges and enhance comprehension of the material.
Participate in projects that bridge theoretical knowledge with practical applications, enhancing your understanding and retention of concepts.
Enhance your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities through practical assignments that will challenge you to tackle real-life issues independently.

Module information

The programme is a 1 year full time taught masters degree (180 credits) consisting of 120 credits of taught modules and a 60 credit summer project. The dissertation is completed under the direction of a project supervisor which will give you the opportunity to work one-to-one with a leading expert in their field.

The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

The following must be taken:

Module Title	Credits	Semester
Statistical Methods in Finance and Economics	20	Full Term

Choose one of the following modules:

Module Title	Credits	Semester
LM Postgraduate Taught Knowledge Exchange Pathway	60
LM Project (MORSE)	60	Semester 2

Choose 100 credits from the following modules:

Module Title	Credits	Semester
LM Advanced Management Mathematics	20	Full Term
Bayesian Inference and Computation	20	Semester 2
LM Advanced Mathematical Finance	20	Semester 2
LM Applied Statistics	20	Semester 2
LM Computational Statistics	20	Semester 1
LM Game Theory and Multicriteria Decision Making	20	Full Term
LM Integer Programming and Combinatorial Optimisation	20	Full Term
LM Mathematical Finance	20	Full Term
LM Medical Statistics	20	Full Term
LM Nonlinear Programming I and Heuristic Optimisation	20	Full Term

Entry requirements

To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.

Additional requirements for

2:1 Honours Degree
In Mathematics, Statistics, Industrial Engineering or programmes with a strong mathematical component.

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.

For this course we require IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band, which is equivalent to:

TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 Listening, 21 Speaking and 19 in Writing
Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills
Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component
LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 25 in each skill

English Presessional Programmes

Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.

Presessional English course

Fees and scholarships

Fees information for:

£10,900
Full-time

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.

The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

Paying your tuition fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.

Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.

Postgraduate taught courses fees

Scholarship information for:

Postgraduate Masters Loan

To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.

Learn more about loans

Scholarships

To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.

Explore scholarships and funding

Birmingham Masters Scholarships

We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.

Birmingham Masters Scholarship

Application process

To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.

Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.

Standard requirements for

29 August 2025
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.

Career opportunities

Our programme trains you with the specialised skills needed to meet the growing need for a new generation of mathematicians. You’ll be trained in cutting-edge techniques and their applications to engineering, healthcare, finance, business management and economics. You’ll benefit from learning from leaders in their field, making you attractive for careers in economics, healthcare, finance, banking, insurance, actuarial science, business management, and government.

Student experience

At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.