MSc Mathematics
The joint master's programme in Mathematics is hosted by world-leading experts and research groups at KTH and Stockholm University. Students specialise in their desired areas of mathematics while acquiring essential skills in problem-solving and logical reasoning. Graduates become industrial mathematicians, often data analysts, financial analysts or within software engineering, or go on to PhD studies at prominent institutions.
Mathematics at KTH
You study advanced mathematics across the core areas of algebra, geometry, analysis, topology, and discrete mathematics while developing specialised knowledge in your chosen field. Depending on your interests, you can deepen your studies in areas such as mathematical physics, optimisation, mathematical statistics, logic, or theoretical computer science. Throughout the programme, you apply mathematical theories and methods to increasingly advanced problems while developing the analytical skills needed for research and other mathematically demanding fields. As a joint programme offered by KTH and Stockholm University, you benefit from a broader selection of courses, research groups, and expertise than either university could offer on its own.
Programme structure and progression
The programme is organised into three parallel blocks: basic, profile, and broadening. The basic block provides a broad foundation in advanced mathematics through mandatory courses in algebra and geometry, analysis, topology, and discrete mathematics. In the profile block, you choose courses to specialise in your chosen field and to prepare for your degree project, with the option to include related subjects such as mathematical physics, mathematical statistics, optimisation theory, and theoretical computer science. The broadening block includes courses in scientific methodology, sustainable development, mathematical communication, and elective studies. At the beginning of the programme, you develop an individual study plan together with the programme directors, who also support your course selection and preparation for the degree project. The programme concludes with a degree project carried out within your chosen specialisation, either with a research group at KTH or Stockholm University or in collaboration with a company.
Degree project
The degree project will typically be carried out within the chosen specialisation, either with a research group at KTH or SU, or externally at a company.
This is a two year programme (120 ECTS credits) given in English. Graduates are awarded the degree of Master of Science. The programme is given mainly at KTH Campus in Stockholm by the School of Engineering Sciences (at KTH) and at the Stockholm University campus.
Courses in the programme
The courses in the programme cover topics such as algebra, analysis, discrete mathematics, geometry, mathematical physics, and topology.
Future and career
Mathematics is becoming increasingly important in society, and one key function of this programme is to educate tomorrow’s leaders in industry, academia and society. Problem-solving and logical reasoning are key qualities that employers look for, and training these abilities lies at the heart of our programme. In the basic block, you will take your general skills to an advanced level by studying core mathematics subjects. More specialised or interdisciplinary areas of expertise can be studied in our profile and broadening blocks, giving you the necessary means to prepare for the job market or a continued academic career. The job prospects are outstanding, and most students find good jobs shortly after graduating or continue with a PhD. Many find jobs as data analysts, financial analysts, and in software engineering at a variety of attractive companies.
The Stockholm mathematical community comprises world-leading experts and research groups across various areas. Students will have the opportunity to interact closely with these researchers, providing a platform for those who consider pursuing a doctoral degree at KTH, SU, or another internationally renowned institution. Several of our students pursue doctoral studies after graduating.
Sustainable development
Graduates from KTH have the knowledge and tools for moving society in a more sustainable direction, as sustainable development is an integral part of all programmes. The three key sustainable development goals addressed by the master's programme in Mathematics are:
SDG 9, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Studying mathematics is excellent preparation for dealing with a variety of complex systems that feature in research environments, industries or where these two meet. Abstraction is an essential tool for understanding and solving complex problems, and it can lead to unexpected and innovative ideas. As a consequence of the general training provided in our core courses and the more specialised training in the profile block, you will develop a broad palette of skills and creativity needed to tackle modern challenges.
SDG 4, Quality Education: A poorly presented solution to a problem is no solution at all. Mathematicians have pride in maintaining a high standard in the presentation of their arguments. Through multiple homework assignments and presentations, we emphasise how to present your solutions in an understandable way, in writing and speech. You will develop your skills in effectively communicating your results to fellow experts, as well as educating future generations.
SDG 17, Partnerships for the Goals: Mathematical breakthroughs are rarely made by mathematicians on their own but are typically the result of close and intense interactions within a mathematical community. Through homework assignments and group work, you will quickly find that you will learn more and achieve a higher level of understanding through interaction with your peers. Even the programme itself is a partnership, and our combined efforts and differences allow us to deliver a diverse and high-quality programme.
Faculty and research
Mathematical research has a long-standing tradition in Stockholm ever since the days of Gösta Mittag-Leffler. Today the Stockholm area has developed into an important international hub for scientific work in mathematics. The combined research efforts in Stockholm attract a large share of Sweden's available research funding, enabling the maintenance of a wide range of research groups comprising faculty, postdocs, and doctoral students. On top of that, the nearby Institut Mittag-Leffler hosts numerous visiting scientists throughout the year, further contributing to the unique mathematical research environment in Stockholm.
At KTH, we have strong research groups in the following areas:
- Algebraic Geometry and Commutative Algebra
- Algebraic Topology
- Algorithms and Complexity
- Combinatorics
- Complex and Harmonic Analysis
- Differential Geometry & General Relativity
- Dynamical Systems
- Mathematics for Data Science
- Number Theory
- Partial Differential Equations
- Probability (random matrix theory, statistical physics)
As a student in the master's programme in Mathematics, you will meet our researchers in and around classes and participate in the research activities of these groups in your degree project.
