Mathematics Summer Research Programme 2024-5

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 2024-5 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 work as part of a Presentation Day to celebrate and publicise the research that has taken place. Presenting your work is an integral part of research, and developing these skills will also help you in your future studies 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.”

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.

Funding sources

The two sources of funding that support our programme are:

• UoB School of Mathematics Undergraduate Research Bursaries (SoM URB).
  To be considered for these, applicants will normally be expected to be on track for a 2.1 or First Class degree.

• [for UK-based students only] London Mathematical Society Undergraduate Research Bursaries in Mathematics (LMS URB).
  This would be an excellent addition to your CV since the LMS bursaries are prestigious awards for which the competition is open across the UK.
  To be considered for these, applicants will normally be expected to be on track for a First Class degree, and by Summer 2025 have completed (the equivalent of) at least two full academic years of an undergraduate degree in mathematics/statistics.

(Students who have previously been awarded a bursary in a previous year will not normally be eligible to receive a further bursary.)

Students who apply for an LMS URB through this Summer Research Programme will also be automatically considered for an SoM URB.
To apply for one or both types of bursaries through our Summer Research Programme, see How to apply below. 

Under either type of bursary, successful applicants will receive in total £375 per week, i.e. £2,250 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. Applicants who successfully apply for an LMS URB will therefore receive £300 per week from the LMS and an additional £75 per week from the School of Mathematics.

Selection criteria

More applications are expected to be received than the number of bursaries available. 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 website:

“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 assessment guidance provided on the LMS website. 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 each of 2023-4 and 2022-3, 20 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.