Apply
The deadline for full submission has passed on 16 December 2024. Applications received after this date will be processed and considered on a rolling basis until all funding for 25/26 entry has been allocated.
Students must submit both Pre-Application and Application webforms.
To speed up the process, please ask your referees to send reference letters directly to agq-references@glasgow.ac.uk
This webpage describes the application process for the Centre for Doctoral Training in Algebra, Geometry, and Quantum Fields, a joint initiative of Heriot-Watt University, the University of Edinburgh, and the University of Glasgow. Applicants will also be considered for the following closely aligned degree programmes:
- PhD in Algebra, Geometry and Topology, at the University of Edinburgh
- PhD in Mathematical Physics, at the University of Edinburgh
Applicants may also be considered for other closely aligned PhD programs at the University of Glasgow.
The details collected will be shared across the three AGQ universities: Heriot-Watt University, the University of Edinburgh, and the University of Glasgow.
The application process consists of four steps:
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1: Pre-application
It is important that you review the instructions on this page before submitting the Pre-application webform.
Please apply by December 16th for full consideration (applications will be processed and considered on a rolling basis after that)
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2: Application
This Application is submitted to the University of Glasgow’s admissions portal. We stress that this portal will collect application data for all the above degree programmes, at all three universities.
It is important that you review the instructions on this page before submitting the Application webform.
Please apply by December 16th for full consideration (applications will be processed and considered on a rolling basis after that)
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3: Letters of reference
Two letters of reference must be submitted to agq-references@glasgow.ac.uk . These are due January 6th.
We recommend you contact your referees and ask them to submit their references. The AGQ team will also follow up with your referees to remind them of the submission deadline. Please note this process is not automated.
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4: Interviews
Interviews will take place in late January and early February.
We will continue to accept applications and documents after December 16th, but we cannot guarantee full consideration will be given. We expect to begin issuing offers by mid-February.
It is important that you review the instructions below before submitting your application forms.
On the pre-application webform, you will be asked to provide:
- Your preference of admissions panel (see below).
- A half-page statement (1000 characters, at most) describing a piece of academic work you are proud of, and explain why you are proud of it, with the option to attach it in pdf form, if applicable.
- A half-page answer (1000 characters, at most) to the question: “Why are you applying to undertake graduate studies in mathematics?”.
- Your supervisor(s) preference. This is completely optional, and will be withheld from admissions panels, however it will be shared at the stage of arranging interviews.
- The name and email address of two referees who will provide a reference letter in support of your application.
- Demographic data. This information will not be made available to admissions panels, nor during interviews. It will only be used confidentially by the CDT Executive Team, and reported in aggregate to UKRI and other funders, for the purpose of ensuring equity and fairness in our admissions process.
The admissions panels and their members are:
- Algebra and Category Theory
- Clark Barwick, Sjoerd Beentjes, Gwyn Bellamy, Iain Gordon, David Jordan, Mark Lawson, Darrick Lee, Tom Leinster, Dinakar Muthiah, Jon Pridham, Anna Puskás, Pavel Safronov, Christian Sämann, Alexander Shapiro, Sue Sierra, and Agata Smoktunowicz,.
- Geometric Group Theory, Low-dimensional topology and algebraic topology
- Jim Belk, Rachael Boyd, Tara Brendle, Laura I Ciobanu Radomirovic, Matthew Cordes, Ana Garcia Lecuona, Alexandre Martin, Brendan Owens, Mark Powell, and Alessandro Sisto.
- Algebraic/complex/symplectic geometry, and number theory
- Alex Bartel, Arend Bayer, Ivan Cheltsov, Ben Davison, Ruadhaí Dervan, Damián Gvirtz-Chen, Milena Hering, Jeff Hicks, Minhyong Kim, Antony Maciocia, Johan Martens, Ana Rita, Nick Sheridan, Efthymios Sofos, Andy Wand, and Michael Wemyss.
- Higgs Centre for Theoretical Physics
- Latham Boyle, Einan Gardi, Anton Ilderton, Davide Micheletto, and Neil Turok.
- Mathematical Physics
- Tim Adamo, Murad Alim, Theo Assiotis, Richard Davison, Tudor Dimofte, Anastasia Doikou, Misha Feigin, José Miguel Figueroa-O’Farrill, James Gaunt, Claire Gilson, Jelle Hartong, Lotte Hollands, Christian Korff, Anatoly Konechny, Jules Lamers, James Lucietti, Bernd Schroers, Joan Simón, Ian Strachan, Richard Szabo, Sayantani Bhattacharyya, Matthew Walters, and Robert Weston.
- Operator algebras and Dynamics
- Vaibhav Gadre, Xin Li, Christian Voigt, Mike Whittaker, Runlian Xia, and Joachim Zacharias.
- No panel
- Choose this option if you are unable to determine the best panel for your application. In this case we will assign you to a panel that most closely suits your interests and coursework.
Your application will be available to all supervisors, not only those on your admissions panel, however the admissions panel will provide the first pass over your application. It may be helpful to peruse the supervisor page to get an idea of the panelists’ interests.
You will then be directed to the University of Glasgow’s admissions portal, in order to provide:
- Transcripts, in pdf form
- A CV, in pdf form
- Some applicants from outside the United Kingdom may be required to provide evidence of proficiency in the English language. Details on this requirement can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions section below.
- If any of your transcripts are in a language other than English you will be required to provide certified translations.
Application Instructions
While the instructions on the online application are self-evident in most cases, there are a few questions that require you to enter information specific to this process. Please follow the instructions below:
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1 . On the ‘Application Homepage’
Please insert September 1, 2025 as the Proposed Start Date.
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2. On the ‘Finances’ page:
- For the question: ‘How do you intend to fund your studies at the University of Glasgow?’ answer: ‘University of Glasgow Scholarship’
- For the question: ‘If you are applying or have secured funding please provide details eg. Scholarship name’ answer: ‘N/A’
- For the question: ‘Is this funding confirmed?’ answer ‘No’
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3. On the ‘References’ page:
If you have your reference documents already you can upload a pdf copy of two references. If you do not have a pdf copy (many applicants will not have a pdf copy as these are customarily held in confidence) please enter the information below in this section of the application:
Referee One:
First Name: Not applicable
Last Name: Not applicable
Email: agq-references@glasgow.ac.uk
Capacity in which you know the referee: Not applicable
Referee Two:
First Name: Not applicable
Last Name: Not applicable
Email: agq-cdt@glasgow.ac.uk
Capacity in which you know the referee: Not applicable
Please note: References you enter during the Pre-Application will be emailed and asked to submit a reference to support your application to AGQ directly to us by email. We will send you confirmation when these references are completed. For this reason, please do not re-enter your reference writer’s details (which would result in them receiving an irrelevant automated email), and instead write Not applicable as noted above. -
4. On the ‘Research’ page:
- For the question about your supervisor please select Professor Tara Brendle.
- For the field ‘You are restricted to 250 characters in this field, please use the upload if required’ please enter the admissions panel you selected on the Pre-Application form.
- For the question: ‘Have you contacted the Supervisor?’ answer: ‘No’
Please note: that you are asked to indicate Professor Tara Brendle here, although you may have entered other colleagues in the pre-application. The data on the pre-application will be kept, the data entered here will be disregarded.
- You can leave the Research Proposal section blank. A research proposal is not required for this application.
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5. On the ‘Supporting Documents’ page:
- For the ‘Bachelor transcript / mark sheets (official document detailing modules / courses taken and grades so far)’. You must upload a transcript that shows the marks you have obtained during your studied for each individual course. If you have not completed your degree, please include a transcript showing the marks you have so far.
- For the ‘Curriculum Vitae’ upload a CV that provides information about your background and professional experience, especially when it comes to aspects that you think make you a good candidate for graduate study in mathematics.
Frequently Asked Questions
CDT stands for Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) and is one of the approaches used by Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) to fund and train doctoral students across the UK. CDTs focus on cohort-based learning experiences and skills training to develop a future academic or industry career. They are funded by research councils which fall under the umbrella of UK Research and Innovation.
Applicants must have or expect to have of a at least a 2.1 degree or the international equivalent.
Students who apply will be considered for both the PhD in Algebra, Geometry and Quantum Fields as well as the pre-year MSc program which serve as an admissions pathway to the PhD.
The AGQ CDT is a fully funded PhD program, covering four years of tuition fees and an annual stipend that is currently set at £19,132 for the 2024/25 academic year (increasing yearly with the UKRI stipend rate). A stipend is a tax-free payment to support students to pay living costs and the basic expenses associated with study.
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an undergraduate or masters degree, that was taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country as defined by UK Visas and Immigration
- Accepted English Proficiency Tests include:
- IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component
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TOEFL-iBT: total 92 with at least 20 in each section
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PTE(A): total 68 with at least 63 in each section
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CAE and CPE: total 176 with at least 169 in each paper
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Trinity ISE
- OET
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All English Proficiency Tests must have been awarded within two years at the point of application.
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For additional information on specific English Language requirements please contact the central Glasgow University admissions team using this webform.
Our students’ primary institution is the same as their principal supervisor’s, however all teaching is hybrid and joint between the three institutions, and the degree is awarded jointly by all three institutions. Applications will be considered by multiple supervisors at the same institution, as well as being considered across all institutions. Applicants can receive multiple offers from different supervisors at different institutions.
Your application can still be reviewed if you are missing some evidence, however having full information available to the admissions panel will strengthen your application. If you are interviewed and offered a position with the CDT, this offer will be conditional that all above evidence requirements are satisfied.
The pre-year MSc programme is fully funded in the same manner as the PhD, with fees covered and a stipend paid to students.