Mathematics

Besides a solid, all-round education in mathematics, the programme offers you the possibility to focus on either pure or applied mathematics. This allows you to acquire both breadth of knowledge and depth in your own areas of interest. Pure 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, new techniques, new applications, and new results. This culminates in the Master’s thesis, where you become actively involved in the research performed in the various mathematical research groups of the Departments of Mathematics, Physics, Astronomy and Computer Sciences.

This is an initial Master's programme and can be followed on a full-time or part-time basis.

Truncus Communis

• Mathematics of the 21st Century

Profiles

Profile: Pure Mathematics

• Commutative Algebra
• Group Theory
• Functional Analysis
• Differential Geometry
• Algebraic Geometry
• Approximation Theory
• Algebraic Topology
• Algebraic Number Theory
• Riemann Surfaces
• Spectral Theory and Operator Algebras
• Riemannian Geometry
• Symplectic Geometry
• Science Communication & Outreach
• Geschiedenis van de wiskunde
• Science and Sustainability

Profile: Applied Mathematics

• Optimization
• Advanced Statistical Inference
• Computational Methods for Astrophysical Applications
• Introduction to Plasma Dynamics
• Stochastic Models
• Numerical Simulation of Differential Equations
• Waves and Instabilities
• Generalized Linear Models
• Fundamentals of Financial Mathematics
• Statistics for Finance and Insurance
• Parallel Computing
• Numerical Linear Algebra
• Plasma Physics of the Sun
• Financial Engineering
• Robust Statistics
• Statistics of Extremes
• Space Weather
• Advanced Non-Parametric Statistics
• Science Communication & Outreach
• Geschiedenis van de wiskunde
• Science and Sustainability

Master's Thesis

Requirements

• Applicants with a Belgian diploma: these applicants do not have to take an English proficiency test.
• Applicants with a university degree earned in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom or the USA: the certified diploma and transcripts suffice, provided they confirm that the entire university study was completed in English. Absolutely no other diplomas will be accepted as evidence even if the applicant has followed an exclusively English-taught programme.
• Other applicants should submit a satisfactory score on an internationally recognized test of English language proficiency: TOEFL (minimum score 94 internet-based with at least 19 for reading, 18 for Listening, 19 for speaking and 21 for writing) or IELTS (minimum score 7 overall, whilst at least 6,5 for reading, 6 for listening, 6 for speaking and 6 for writing).
• Certified copies of transcripts and diplomas are required for all applicants. These documents also suffice for applicants from
  * universities that have an exchange agreement with the Faculty of Science of KU Leuven
  * universities that are in the global top 200 in the most recent Times Higher Education or QS rankings
• A complete list of course titles for which you have obtained a credit should be part of this. Indicate the course size (in ECTS-credits) and the result you obtained, preferably according to the ECTS-scale; if a different scale is used, please provide an summary explanation on the meaning of the scores.
• For the courses that you deem most relevant as a preparation for the master that you are considering, provide a short (about one half to one page) description according to the standard guidelines for an ECTS-study guide.
• All applicants (EEA and non-EEA) will have to pay an application fee of 50 € to process their file.
• PDF scans of your diplomas and transcripts of academic records
• PDF scan of the translation of your diploma and official transcripts
• The PDF scans of the TOEFL or IELTS certificates have to be uploaded in the web application Applicant. The original TOEFL or IELTS certificates have to be sent directly by ETS or by the official IELTS test centre administered by The British Council or IDP Education to International Admissions and Mobility at KU Leuven. Alternatively, you can also request ETS or the British Council to make your test result available to KU Leuven online, so we can verify your result via the online verification tool.
• If you still have to take the test by the time you want to submit your application file, upload a proof of registration for the TOEFL or IELTS test in the meantime. The proof of registration should mention the date when you will be taking the test.
• PDF of the proof of payment of the application fee made either via bank transfer or via credit card
• PDF scan of the identity page of your passport
• PDF of your motivation letter (recommended size: one A4 page)
• PDF of your CV

Scholarships

• Master Mind Scholarships