Top Universities for Applied Mathematics in the World (2024)

Applied mathematics serves as a universal key, enabling the solution of numerous practical problems across various fields such as science, engineering, economics, finance, insurance, computer science, and industry. Recognizing the significance of this field, numerous universities globally have invested in establishing high-quality training programs, attracting passionate students eager to explore and conquer challenges. Explore the following list of top universities for applied mathematics, where you can pursue your love for mathematics and build a successful future.

Overview of Applied Mathematics’s Prospects

Applied mathematics is the application of mathematical methods across different fields such as physics, engineering, medicine, biology, finance, business, computer science, and industry. Applied mathematics is not just a theoretical discipline. It’s a practical tool that connects mathematical concepts and techniques to various fields of science and engineering. Applied mathematics aims to apply existing mathematical tools and insights to resolve scientific problems and to develop new and valuable mathematics driven by the applications. With the advent of new computational technology, applied mathematics has transcended its traditional style and now assumes greater importance and vitality.

Applied mathematics research is a vibrant and collaborative effort. It requires expertise in various branches of mathematics, such as analysis, differential equations, and stochastics. Both analytical and numerical methods are used to solve complex problems. Faculty and students often work directly with experimentalists, bringing their research to life in practical applications.

If you enjoy mathematics and aspire to solve real-world problems, then a degree in applied mathematics could be the perfect choice. This major covers various subjects, preparing students for careers in multiple fields.

A degree in applied mathematics opens up a world of possibilities. You can explore various career paths, from furthering your mathematics, statistics, physics, or computer science education to finding rewarding careers in business, industry, government, or academia. Applied mathematicians work in diverse fields, such as teaching, mathematical modeling, finance, actuarial sciences, industrial mathematics, manufacturing, communications, and computing.

List of the Top Universities for Applied Mathematics in the World

Many universities worldwide offer comprehensive applied mathematics programs. These programs are ranked based on various criteria due to the diversity in teaching styles and learning approaches across different institutions, resulting in differing rankings across multiple platforms. Below is a list of some of the top universities for applied mathematics worldwide.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts Institute of Technology was founded in 1861. It started as a tiny community of problem-solvers and science lovers who wanted to use their knowledge to benefit the world. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has grown into a substantial educational institution.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, coeducational university. It is separated into 5 schools: architecture and planning; humanities, arts, and social sciences; engineering; management; science; and one college (computing). The core principle of the educational philosophy of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is educational innovation.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s applied mathematics curriculum aims to establish crucial connections with other disciplines, fostering the development of exciting and practical mathematics. Innovative mathematical reasoning plays a crucial role in generating new insights and applications. The school’s applied mathematics group focuses on biology, combinatorics, computer science, scientific computing, numerical analysis, and applied mathematics in physics.

An undergraduate degree in mathematics provides a strong background for graduate studies in mathematics or computer science and careers in finance, business, or consulting. Active participation in seminars led by research mathematicians is highly beneficial, whether students plan to pursue further academic work or transition into various professional careers.

New York University

New York University is a private research university in New York City, United States. It was chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature and founded in 1832 by a group of New Yorkers led by Albert Gallatin. The initial student body of 158 has expanded to more than 50,000 students at three degree-granting campuses in New York City, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai, as well as study away sites on six continents. Today, students come from every state in the US and 133 foreign countries.

The Department of Mathematics is part of the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, an independent division of New York University that offers various courses in pure and applied mathematics. Most of the faculty is closely affiliated with the university’s esteemed Courant Institute, ensuring high expertise and academic excellence for students pursuing mathematical studies. In addition, the faculty offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral training programs in Mathematics.

University of California – Los Angeles

University of California – Los Angeles is a public research university established in 1919. It became the first branch campus of the University of California. As an internationally renowned research institution, the University of California – Los Angeles emphasizes interdisciplinary teaching and offers undergraduates early exposure to research opportunities with faculty. The campus is home to world-renowned faculty teaching 230 undergraduate and graduate majors, with more than two dozen academic programs ranked among the top 20 in their disciplines. The faculty provides more than 5,000 courses annually, with two-thirds of undergraduate classes having fewer than 30 students.

The Mathematics Department at the University of California, Los Angeles, is well-known for its exploration of both pure and applied mathematical research. The Mathematics major provides students with a solid foundation and critical concepts for applying mathematics to real-world problems. Through applied math, the faculty at the University of California, Los Angeles, is developing innovative solutions to some of today’s most pressing issues. From identifying and predicting crime hotspots to utilizing computational geometry for virtual surgery, the Mathematics Department at UCLA actively shapes the future. The department has achieved numerous advances in applied mathematics, driving the field forward.

Brown University

Established in 1764, Brown University is the seventh oldest university in the United States and one of its most renowned higher education institutions. It is part of the Ivy League and prides itself on being open and inclusive. Brown was the first Ivy League university to accept students from all religious affiliations. One of the defining characteristics of the university is its “Brown Curriculum,” which fundamentally changed undergraduate education at the institution. Inspired by Francis Wayland, Brown’s fourth president, the curriculum emphasized that students should be free to “study what he chose, all that he chose, and nothing but what he chose.” The new “Open Curriculum,” launched in 1970, allowed students to create their core curriculum rather than being bound to a prescribed “liberal arts education.” This approach continues to define Brown’s undergraduate experience to this day.

Brown University’s Applied Mathematics program offers an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary curriculum. The research areas covered include dynamical systems and partial differential equations, control theory, probability and stochastic processes, numerical analysis and scientific computing, fluid mechanics, computational molecular biology, statistics, and pattern theory. The program has four concentrations, including joint concentrations with biology, computer science, and economics, to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and prepare students for various potential career opportunities.

California Institute of Technology

The California Institute of Technology is the United States’s leading scientific and technical institution. This private university and research institute is located in Pasadena, California, about 12 miles (19 kilometers) from Los Angeles. California Institute of Technology originated from Throop University, an arts and crafts school founded in 1891. It shifted its focus to science and technology in 1907 and changed its name to Caltech in 1920.

California Institute of Technology is known for its prestigious programs in applied mathematics. The undergraduate option in Applied and Computational Mathematics (ACM) within the Computing & Mathematical Sciences department is tailored for students who want to combine their foundational studies in mathematics with practical applications.

This program offers comprehensive fundamental computational and applied mathematics training while developing students’ research skills in specific application fields. These application fields cover a wide range, including fluid mechanics, materials science, mathematical biology, engineering applications, image processing, and mathematical finance.

Applied Mathematics major at Fulbright University Vietnam

Fulbright University Vietnam is Vietnam’s first independent, not-for-profit, liberal arts university. Founded on Vietnamese-American partnership, the Fulbright model is based on American traditions of rigorous liberal arts education and is firmly rooted in Vietnam’s culture and heritage. With a student-centered orientation, Fulbright sets the goal of helping students achieve their full potential to become fearless individuals ready to lead the future of Vietnam and the world.

At Fulbright University Vietnam, the Applied Mathematics major offers a unique approach that is theoretically rigorous and highly interactive in a truly interdisciplinary environment. The major provides a solid foundation and advanced knowledge of Linear Algebra, Calculus, and Statistics. Students will explore real-life applications of Mathematics in other majors, such as Economics, Engineering, Psychology, and Social Sciences, by taking applied elective courses and conducting Capstone research. Upon graduation, students will be well-equipped with the knowledge and skills to pursue postgraduate degrees in Mathematics or Statistics and careers in data science (machine learning, AI), engineering (signal processing, financial, optimization, and simulation), or social sciences.

Applied mathematics is inherently interdisciplinary, encompassing various scientific disciplines. It addresses mathematical problems in the physical, life, social, and technical sciences. This field offers a comprehensive qualitative and quantitative foundation, providing students with the skills necessary for diverse applications in these fields. Quach Thi Xuan Trang, a student of the class of 2023 at Fulbright University Vietnam, chose to major in Literature and minor in mathematics. Trang, along with her teammates Nguyen Cong Thanh (Class of 2025), Nguyen Hoang Ngoc Ha (Class of 2025), and Nguyen Hoang Nhat Tan (Class of 2025), participated in the 29th student mathematics Olympic competition and achieved the third prize.

From being a high school student majoring in English to becoming a Literature student, Trang never imagined participating in a Mathematics contest. Unexpectedly, while taking Math classes at Fulbright University, Trang discovered her passion for Mathematics. Her literary thinking helped her explain complex terms in math problems during exams. Trang is working on her graduation project on Quantum fiction, a literary topic linked to Quantum Mechanics in Physics. She aims to explore the integration of Quantum Physics into this new genre of Literature.

Every year, Fulbright opens two primary admission cycles: Spring Admission from January to April and Fall Admission from September to December. Besides the essential requirement of a high school diploma, candidates need to submit a minimum English certificate with a score of IELTS 6.0 (or TOEFL iBT 75 or Duolingo English Test 95) or equivalent, except in the following cases:

• Candidates are native English speakers.
• Applicants have attended a high school program entirely in English continuously for two years before enrolling at Fulbright.
• Candidates won third prize (or higher) in English in the Provincial High School Excellent Student Competition (or city level in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Can Tho, and Hai Phong) or regional level at the high school level.

Candidates were part of the team participating in the National Excellent High School Student Competition in English for the province/city. Fulbright welcomes individuals who demonstrate academic depth and breadth, along with one of the following characteristics:

• Intellectual curiosity: Open-minded and willing to listen to new ideas and diverse perspectives; welcoming rigorous arguments and compelling evidence.
• Pioneering spirit: Eager to seek new challenges, creatively solve problems, and unafraid to learn from mistakes.
• Care for others: Respectful of diversity; honest, responsible, emotionally mature, and motivated to create a better community.

Fulbright University Vietnam offers a need-based Financial Aid Program, reflecting our belief that every student deserves access to education, regardless of family background or social status. This grant does not require repayment and is based solely on the financial circ*mstances of the applicant’s family. Fulbright offers six ranges of financial aid: 30%, 50%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100%. The most comprehensive financial aid package covers up to 100% of tuition for four years, including housing fees and living expenses. Tuition fees for bachelor’s programs are updated annually, and more details are available on the school’s website.

The Applied Mathematics major at Fulbright University Vietnam is the academic hub for those pursuing their passion for math. To learn more about Fulbright’s curriculum or to apply, visit our website or contact us directly for personalized consultation.

• Explore scholarships: https://fulbright.edu.vn/tuition-and-aid-scholarships/
• Apply to Fulbright: https://fulbright.edu.vn/apply-to-us/
• Receive direct consultation and experience Fulbright with us: https://fulbright.edu.vn/contact-us/

Applied mathematics is an exciting field of study that offers numerous career opportunities. However, selecting the right university is a crucial decision that can significantly affect your academic and career prospects. It’s important to carefully evaluate various factors to make the best choice for pursuing your passion for mathematics. Remember, clearly defining your goals and interests is the first step.