Mathematics Summer Research Programme 2023-4

This is an opportunity for undergraduate students to experience a taste of academic research in the mathematical sciences. We offer many potential projects from a large number of supervisors across the breadth of research areas in the School: you can find these in the Projects for 2023-4 section below.

You can learn more deeply about a specific topic and carry out exciting, topical research in the area. We expect supervisors and their students to have regular meaningful contact (an average of at least 1 hour per week meeting in person/online is the minimum expected) for the duration of the project.

In particular, if you’re considering further study in mathematics, whether it be at Master’s or PhD level, this can be a good way to get firsthand experience to inform your decision, or to bolster your application.

After completing your research, the final components of the summer project will be to write a short report on the work conducted, as well as to share your research in a short talk as part of a Presentation Day which will be open to all members of the School of Mathematics. Dissemination is an integral part of research, and developing these skills will also help you in your future studies (e.g. Year 4 MSci project and Year 3 Research Skills in Mathematics) and beyond.

A testimonial from a student who took part in a past round of summer projects:

“I wouldn't be able to imagine giving a talk in math three years ago. It was UoB that gave me confidence and showed me the magic in math. [My supervisor] and the project made me believe that I can do things that are heavy in math! I will certainly carry these assets with me all the way in the future.”

Of course, this experience is also useful for building your CV. As well as applying for funding from the School of Maths, UK-based students can also apply for bursaries from the London Mathematical Society. This external source of funding is a prestigious award for which the competition is open across the UK, and would be an excellent addition to your CV: for more information, see Eligibility & Funding below. 

Who can apply?

The Summer Research Programme is open to UoB undergraduate students studying mathematics:

• B15 students (i.e. students studying on the Edgbaston campus): those currently in their second year, and those in their third year who are continuing in mathematics education next academic year.

• J-BJI students: those currently in their third year.

In order to be considered for the Undergraduate Research Bursary (URB) schemes described in Funding sources below:

• Applicants to the School of Mathematics URB scheme will normally be expected to be on track for a 2.1 or First Class degree.

• Applicants to the London Mathematical Society URB scheme (UK-based only) will normally be expected to be on track for a First Class degree.

Funding sources

The two sources of funding that support our programme are:

• UoB School of Mathematics Undergraduate Research Bursaries (SoM URB)

• [for B15 applicants only] London Mathematical Society Undergraduate Research Bursaries in Mathematics (LMS URB)

Students who apply for an LMS URB through the Summer Research Programme will be automatically considered for an SoM URB, except that those students who have previously been awarded a SoM URB will not normally be eligible to receive a further SoM URB.

To apply for one or both URB schemes through our Summer Research Programme, see How to apply below.

Under either URB scheme, successful applicants will receive a bursary of £291 per week, i.e. £1,746 in total for the 6-week project.

The School of Mathematics has committed to match-funding any successful applicants to the LMS URB from the Summer Research Programme, so that they will receive the same total amount of funding as those in receipt of an SoM URB.

Selection criteria

More applications for are expected to be received than funded places are available. The scheme is competitive, and applications will be judged primarily on the quality and merits of the student, their suitability for the proposed project, and the experience the student is likely to have whilst working on it. From the LMS URB Guidelines for 2024:

“Preference will be given to:

• Students who are expected to achieve a first-class degree, who are considering a career in research, but who have not yet had an opportunity to experience research.

• Research projects that have a clearly defined objective which is achievable by the student in the time available.

• Projects which give scope for thought and initiative on the part of the student and do not use the student as a general assistant.”

We recommend that you carefully read the LMS URB Assessment Guidance. In particular, supervisors should discuss the project in detail with the student who should also contribute to the project design.

The SoM URB selection criteria follow similar guiding principles. You may find the following points useful to consider when putting together your application:

• Do you have the relevant prerequisites for the project, if any?
  How did you perform in any relevant modules that have been taken?

• Can you demonstrate motivation for the project, and describe how you will benefit from this experience?
  How does doing a summer research project fit in with your future plans?

• In discussion with the proposed supervisor:
  Will the proposed aims of the project be feasible within the given timeframe?
  Can the research goals be suitably adapted depending on how the project progresses?
  How might the experience still be beneficial even if not all of the aims are achieved? 

In the 2022-3 round, directed by Dr Yuzhao Wang, 20 School of Maths students across the B15 campus and the Jinan-Birmingham Joint Institute completed summer research projects in mathematics, with eight out of the 20 projects being undertaken by female students. Of the students based in the UK, three were successfully supported by LMS Undergraduate Research Bursaries, jointly with the School of Mathematics. Find out more about the 2022-3 Presentation Day.

Some useful links:

• LMS URB webpage

• UoB Summer Projects 2022-3

• Additional sources of work experience funding, in particular the EPSRC Vacation Internship scheme: for full details please see their application guidance document for 2024.