Description
This certificate comprises two 30-credit modules from a wide choice, including analytic number theory and calculus of variations. Tailor your study to areas that suit you, and develop problem-solving and decision-making skills relevant in business, commerce and industry. It’s also the first stage of our postgraduate mathematics programme – you can progress to the postgraduate diploma and MSc in Mathematics.
Key features of the course
- Develop your problem-solving and decision-making capabilities
- Pick from a wide choice of modules, enabling you to tailor the course to your needs
- Stand out in a crowded jobs market
This postgraduate certificate is the same as the first half of our Postgraduate Diploma in Mathematics (E23) and the first third of our MSc in Mathematics (F04)
Planning your studies
You should normally have a minimum of either:
- a 2:2 honours degree in mathematics or
- a 2:1 honours degree in a subject with a high mathematical content.
If you don’t have such a qualification, your application will still be considered, but you may be asked to complete an entry test. Non-graduates will not normally be admitted.
Whatever your background, you should assess your suitability by completing our diagnostic quiz.
If you’re new to postgraduate study in mathematics, start with a single module: either the applied mathematics module Calculus of variations and advanced calculus (M820) or the pure mathematics module Analytic number theory I (M823).
How long it takes
Most students study the Postgraduate Certificate in Mathematics part-time, completing 60 credits over one year. Typically, this means 20 study hours each week.
When planning your studies, note that some modules are available only in odd or even years.
There’s no time limit to complete the Postgraduate Certificate in Mathematics.
Career relevance and employability
Mathematics is at the heart of advances in science, engineering and technology, as well as being an indispensable problem-solving and decision-making tool in many other areas of life. It is no surprise therefore that mathematics postgraduates can be found throughout industry, business and commerce, in the public and private sectors. Employers value the intellectual rigour and reasoning skills that mathematics students can acquire, their familiarity with numerical and symbolic thinking and the analytic approach to problem-solving which is their hallmark.
There are a variety of reasons for studying mathematics at postgraduate level. You may want a postgraduate qualification in order to distinguish yourself from an increasingly large graduate population. You may find that your undergraduate mathematical knowledge is becoming insufficient for your career requirements, especially if you are hoping to specialise in one of the more mathematical areas, which are becoming more sought after by employers. Or you may want to move on to a PhD in Mathematics. The extent of opportunities is vast and mathematics postgraduates are equipped with skills and knowledge required for jobs in fields such as finance, education, engineering, science and business, as well as mathematics and mathematical science research.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Modules
To gain this qualification, you need 60 credits as follows:
At least 30 credits from:
Up to 30 credits from:
| Option modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Advanced mathematical methods (M833) 2
This mathematical models module uses analytical pencil-and-paper methods and the Maple computing language to teach advanced mathematical techniques.
See full description
|
30 |
|
- Analytic number theory II (M829) 1
This follow-up to Analytic number theory I (M823) covers the second half of Apostol’s Introduction to Analytic Number Theory and prime number theorem proof.
See full description
|
30 |
Oct 2026 FINAL |
- Coding theory (M836) 2
This module examines error-detecting and error-correcting codes built on algebraic structures with encoding/decoding procedures and cryptography elements.
See full description
|
30 |
|
- Fractal geometry (M835) 2
This module examines the geometry of fractals, aesthetically pleasing complex patterns often found in nature containing self-similar shapes at different scales.
See full description
|
30 |
|
- Galois theory (M838) 1
This module explores the relationship between group theory and field theory in problem-solving as described by the young Évariste Galois in the 19th century.
See full description
|
30 |
Oct 2026 |
- Nonlinear ordinary differential equations (M821) 1
This nonlinear ordinary differential equations module emphasises geometrical aspects, approximation schemes and the stability and periodicity of solutions.
See full description
|
30 |
Oct 2026 |
| Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules M431, M822, M824, M826, M827, M828, M830, M832 and M841 |
| 1M821, M829 and M838 are available only in even years – the next start is October 2026. |
| 2M833, M835 and M836 are available only in odd years – the next start is October 2027. |
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 20 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
For this qualification, we do not allow you to count credit for study you have already done elsewhere.
On completion
On successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our Postgraduate Certificate in Mathematics. You’ll be entitled to use the letters PG Cert Maths (Open) after your name.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
How to register
If you want to study for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of
our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the
module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
During the registration procedure you will be asked to declare which qualification you are studying towards.
See a full list of modules available for this qualification