About us
In the School of Mathematical Sciences you will join a welcoming academic and social community of people from all over the world.
REF 2021 places our School in the top 3 for quality of research environment across all Mathematical Sciences units in the UK.
Home to over 1,000 undergraduates and approximately 100 postgraduate taught and research students.
Why work here?
Our history
Mathematical sciences has been taught at The University of Nottingham since 1882. Beginning as part of the original School of Physics and Mathematics in University College, Nottingham, the School has substantially changed over the 130+ years since its opening.
The School has also changed the world around it, driving improvements in mathematics and mathematical understanding. Members of the School continue to provide excellent teaching, reach out to the wider community, develop innovative research and support cutting-edge industrial developments.
Key dates
1882
Mathematics and Physics begins to be studied at University College, Nottingham, the first municipal college in England.
1919
The School of Mathematical Sciences is separated from the School of Mathematics and Physics.
Building University Park
The School of Mathematical Sciences in 1942
1928
The School moves to the Highfields Park site and hosts visits from high profile lecturers such as Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi and H G Wells.
Einstein’s original blackboard writings can still be seen today in what is now the Physics and Astronomy building.
1948
The University of Nottingham receives its Royal Charter allowing it to grant its own degrees.
1964
A new degree course in theoretical mechanics is launched, the first of its kind in any British university.
1965
Staff pioneer Study Groups with industry, bringing together industry and academia to formulate industrial problems and resolve them using analysis and computation.
1977
New areas of statistics are developed, relating to Bayesian inference, clinical diagnosis and medical decision-making.
1998
The Mathematical Medicine and Biology group is formed and the Department of Theoretical Mechanics merges with the School of Mathematical Sciences.
2003
Alumnus CWJ Granger is awarded the Nobel Prize for Economics and is later knighted in 2005.
2011
The School achieves its first Athena Swan Award in recognition of its commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM).
Alumnus and Nobel Prize winner, Sir Clive Granger
Alumnus and Fields Medal winner, Caucher Birkar
2011
A new School of Mathematical Sciences Building is officially opened by Sir Adrian Smith, a former Head of School, from the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (now BIS).
2014
The Margaret Jackson bursary is established to support undergraduate women in mathematical sciences.
2018
Alumnus Caucher Birkar wins the Fields Medal for his contributions to algebraic geometry.
2019
Professor Paul Houston becomes Head of the School of Mathematical Sciences
Paul Houston, Head of School