Decisions about admission are made by the Department's Honours Selection Committee, which is chaired by the Honours Program Convenor. The Department offers two Honours degrees. The usual admission requirements are:

  • For admission to Honours in (Pure) Mathematics (MAM4000W), applicants should have a major in Mathematical sciences with good marks in Pure Mathematics; more precisely:
    • 65% or higher for 3rd year math modules (or the equivalent at another institution), and,
    • The average of the four marks for 1st year modules, 2nd year modules and 3rd year modules (or the equivalents at another institution) should be 65% or higher. 
  • For admission to Honours in Applied Mathematics (MAM4001W), applicants should have a major in Mathematical sciences with good marks in Applied Mathematics; more precisely:
    • 65% or higher for 3rd year applied math modules (or the equivalent at another institution), and,
    • The average of the three marks for 1st year modules, 2nd year modules and 3rd year modules (or the equivalents at another institution) should be 65% or higher.
  • The above requirements are guidelines. The Honours Selection Committee may take other factors into consideration when making a decision, and has the final say in all admissions decisions.
  • The Committee may in exceptional circumstances grant admission to a student who does not meet the above requirements.
  • Since it is difficult to compare curricula at different institutions, the above entrance requirements are only approximate for applicants who have not completed their undergraduate work at UCT. Usually, the Honours Selection Committee will require a Skype interview with applicants from other institutions in order to better ascertain their level of preparation.
  • Students entering the MAM Honours Program are assumed to have mastered the material in the usual UCT undergraduate curriculum. Applicants from other institutions are advised to read the handbook entries for
    • Maths one modules, maths two modules, maths three modules (for those applying for Honours in (Pure) Mathematics), or,
    • Applied maths one modules, Applied maths two modules, Applied maths three modules (for those applying for Honours in Applied Mathematics.

Extended Honour Programs

This is a two year course intended for South African students from underrepresented groups who have completed their undergraduate work at UCT but do not quite meet the admission requirements for our normal Honours Program to complete the program over two years instead of the usual one year. There is a maximum of 4 places across Maths and Applied Maths. The admission requirements are:

  • For admission to Extended Honours in (Pure) Mathematics (MAM4100W & MAM4101W), applicants should have  
    • 60% or higher for 3rd year maths modules, and,
    • The average of the four marks for maths one, maths two and maths three modules should be 60% or higher. 
  • For admission to Extended Honours in Applied Mathematics (MAM4110W & MAM4111W), applicants should have  
    • 60% or higher for 3rd year applied maths modules, and,
    • The average of the four marks for applied maths one, applied maths two and applied maths three modules should be 60% or higher. 

As before: 

  • The above requirements are guidelines. The Honours Selection Committee may take other factors into consideration when making a decision, and has the final say in all admissions decisions.
  • The Committee may in exceptional circumstances grant admission to a student who does not meet the above requirements.