Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

What are the first steps required to study this university master’s degree course? The first stage is pre-enrolment; the master’s degree coordination committee will then conduct the selection process.

Can I apply for studies if I am in the final year of my Bachelor’s degree? Yes, If you are in your final year of undergraduate studies we will accept your application to the program. You can even register to the master if you have only left to finish either the Final Project or up to 9 ECTS.

When does the academic course start? The course starts in early September and ends in July.

What are the selection criteria? Applicants should hold an European Higher Education Area (EHEA) bachelor’s degree in mathematics or an equivalent qualification, and have a strong academic record. Applicants should also have an interest in pursuing a career in mathematical research, either at the university or in an affiliated research center, or a career in the private sector requiring a high training in mathematics (finance, biomedicine, information and communication technologies, etc.). Since the degree is taught entirely in English, applicants should also possess a good command of the language.

What qualifications do I need?
Applicants need ONE of the following qualifications:

(i) An official Spanish university degree;

(ii) A degree issued by a higher education institution within the EHEA framework that authorizes the holder to access university master’s degree courses in the country of issue;

(iii) A qualification issued by an institution outside the EHEA framework. In this case, applicants must either homologate their degree to its equivalent official Spanish university qualification, or request an express approval from the Universitat de Barcelona. In the second case the Universitat de Barcelona will conduct a study of equivalence to ensure that the degree is of a comparable level to an official Spanish university qualification, and that it grants access to university master’s degree studies in the country of issue. Admission to the master’s program does not, in any case, imply that prior qualifications have been recognized as equivalent to a Spanish master’s degree, and does not confer recognition for any purposes other than the admission to the master’s program. For more information see Admission.

When and where do I enrol? The first enrolment period is in early September and it is done online. Once you have been admitted to the master, contact the Secretary’s Office of the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science at the UB and they will take you through the enrolment procedure. Instructions, forms and additional information can be found in the Enrolment section of this website.

How much does a university master’s degree course cost? As an orientation, fees for the academic year 2023-2024 were 27,67€ per credit (82€ for students who are not EU nationals and do not currently reside in Spain). All fees are officially regulated by the Catalan regional authorities (Generalitat de Catalunya), and supported by agreements made by the UB’s Governing Council and Board of Trustees.

What are exactly ECTS credits? The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System of credits are the academic units of measurement used by the master’s degree program to evaluate student qualifications in the following types of learning activity: lectures and practical classes, hours of study outside class, and seminars, assignments, practical assignments and project preparation and completion of examinations or other evaluative tests.

Is there an application fee? Yes, there is a pre-enrolment fee of 30,21€ (course 23-24).

Do I need to translate my documents into English to apply? All supporting documents must be translated into either Catalan, Spanish, or English.

Is there any financial aid or grant that I can apply for? Check the scholarships you can apply for here. Contact beca.estudis@ub.edu if you have any other questions regarding grants or financial support.

Can I do the master on a part-time basis, in order to combine a job and the master’s degree course? Yes, we offer the possibility to do the course on a part-time basis. You have to register between 20 ECTS and 48 ECTS per year.

What about the language of the master’s degree course? The master’s courses are taught in English.

Are there recommended itineraries? Yes; see Course Plan.