MSc Mathematics University of Bremen

Why should you study Mathematics (MSc) in Bremen?

Are you a Bachelor of Mathematics graduate looking to expand your horizons and job prospects? Does the idea of increasing your analytical and methodological proficiency excite you? Are you interested in applying such skills to real-life problems? If so, the Mathematics Master's programme at the University of Bremen is the perfect choice. Here, you can study at a young, innovative university while enjoying the vibrant and affordable city of Bremen — an ideal place to continue your mathematical journey.

Our department is characterised by strong research and a firm commitment to high-quality teaching, reflected in excellent national rankings. The teaching profile is geared towards research-based learning, which is central to our Master's programme. It offers a unique learning experience and flexibility to match your scientific interests. You can also benefit from Collaborative Research Centres and Research Training Groups, which provide early opportunities for postgraduate studies.

Goals of the Master’s programme and career opportunities

As a graduate of our international Master's programme in Mathematics at the University of Bremen, you will acquire a wide range of cutting-edge mathematical problem-solving strategies that will prepare you for a professional life both inside and outside academia.

Mathematicians are in demand worldwide; not only in science, but also in almost all areas of the job market – especially in high-tech fields, in finance and insurance, in software development, in management consulting, and in medicine as well as in digital communication. 

Specialisation areas

You can choose from a wide range of advanced research courses in the following areas, with each direction represented by specialised research groups from our department:

• Algebra
• Analysis
• Numerical Analysis
• Statistics/Stochastics

You can select between two variants of the curriculum:

• a more theoretical direction focusing on mathematics without a secondary subject, or

• an application-oriented track, in which you choose a secondary subject such as

  • Biology (German)
  • Chemistry (English/German)
  • Computer Science (English/German)
  • Economics (English/German)
  • Electrical Engineering (English/German)
  • Geosciences (English)
  • Mechanical Engineering (German)
  • Philosophy (German)
  • Physics (English/German).

Our special focus in research and teaching is on algebra and topology, ergodic theory and dynamical systems, hyperbolic geometry, mathematical stochastics and statistics (especially multiple testing), and a broad spectrum of applied mathematics, such as inverse problems, AI methods, optimisation and optimal control, and discrete optimisation.

You can choose a specialisation ("Specialisation A/B/C" in the sample study plans) from the four areas of

• Algebra
• Analysis
• Numerical Analysis
• Statistics/Stochastics.

Courses in the other three areas contribute to broadening your knowledge ("Diversification A/B/C" in the sample study plans). 

As mentioned before, you can choose to study mathematics with or without an application subject such as biology, chemistry, computer science, economics, electrical engineering, geosciences, mechanical engineering, philosophy, or physics.

In this way, you will have the opportunity to tailor your study programme to your individual interests and strengths. For the first three semesters, you will create an individual study plan from the following module types:

• Lectures (typically with weekly exercise sessions)
• Graduate seminars
• Reading courses
• General studies

The fourth semester is reserved for writing and presenting the Master's thesis. See the illustration below for sample curricula. The module of "Advanced Communications" consists of two graduate seminars.

Further information can be found here.

The admission requirements are set out in the Admission Regulations for the Master’s programme in "Mathematics". The main requirements are as follows:

• a Bachelor's degree in mathematics or a comparable undergraduate degree with at least 180 ECTS points
• at least 90 ECTS points in mathematics
• a cover letter in English which explains both your motivation for applying as well as your intended area of specialisation (algebra, analysis, numerical analysis, or statistics/stochastics)

The semester contribution is an administrative fee of approx. 400 EUR, which is charged once per semester. It includes free use of public transportation ("Semesterticket") in Germany. With the semester ticket, you can travel free of charge on regional trains to neighbouring cities such as Hamburg, Lübeck, Hannover, Göttingen, Kassel, Hengelo (NL), Münster, Magdeburg, and even the North Sea coast for leisure activities.

The cost of living in Bremen amounts to approx. 900 EUR per month.

The university offers a student canteen where a wide range of quality food is available at very moderate prices.

Numerous student jobs are offered in the city and the surrounding area. There are limited job opportunities for students as graduate research assistants or as teaching assistants at the department.

Funding opportunities offered by the University of Bremen can be found here. Once you are a student at the University of Bremen, you can apply for a Deutschlandstipendium.

The Career Center support students who wish to prepare themselves for their career as well as alumni and research assistants on their way to a professional career.

BYRD is the support centre for early-career researchers at the University of Bremen.

General information is also provided here.

It is possible to rent a room for 400 EUR per month. The exact amount depends on the quality and size of the room and whether you share a flat with others.

Accommodation is available in student residences; we recommend applying early. You can also look for private accommodation.

A wide range of housing options close to campus can be found here.