University of Queensland

Graduate Diploma in Science (Applied Mathematics)

  • Delivery: Face to Face
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 12 months
  • Course Type: Graduate Diploma

Apply advanced mathematical modelling to complex challenges across transport, climate and infectious disease while strengthening the analytical and creative problem-solving capabilities valued across research and industry.

Course overview

The University of Queensland’s Graduate Diploma in Science (Applied Mathematics) is designed for graduates and experienced professionals seeking to use advanced mathematical methods to address complex practical problems. The field strengthens logical, analytical and creative approaches to scientific and industry-based questions.

You will examine how mathematical modelling can represent systems, test assumptions and support evidence-based solutions. Applications may include improving traffic networks, predicting weather events and helping scientists understand infectious diseases. This specialised study develops your capacity to translate real-world challenges into mathematical frameworks and interpret the results with precision.

Delivered face-to-face at UQ’s St Lucia campus, the course can be completed in one year of full-time study or part-time equivalent. Learning primarily takes place through lectures and tutorials, with course selection focused entirely on Applied Mathematics. Graduates can apply their quantitative capabilities across finance, software, quality management and resource planning or explore further study through UQ’s Master of Science, subject to its admission requirements.

CSP Subsidised Fees Available

This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.

Key facts

Delivery
Face to Face
Course Type
Graduate Diploma
Duration
More Information
Can be studied part time
12 months (Full time)
Campus
St Lucia
Intake
22nd February, 2027
26th July, 2027
Units
More Information
You may be required to complete 0 credit point units throughout your course. The university will confirm this as part of your enrolment.

The unit total reflects the number of units required for course completion, not the total credit point weight. Some units may be double- or triple-weighted, so the number of units you complete may be lower.
8
Fees
More Information
HECS-HELP loans are available to eligible CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
HECS, CSP

What you will study

At UQ, a unit represents the value of individual courses that contribute to the total unit requirements of a program. Most UQ courses have a value of two units, though some may vary depending on the program or course structure.

To earn the Graduate Diploma in Science (Applied Mathematics), you must complete 16 units or eight courses, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth two units.

Foundational units

Complete zero to eight units from the following:

  • Numerical Methods in Computational Science
  • Calculus & Linear Algebra II
  • Applied Mathematical Analysis
  • Mathematical Analysis
  • Mathematical Analysis and Advanced Topics
  • Probability Models & Data Analysis

Flexible core units

Complete eight to 16 units from the following:

  • Computation in Financial Mathematics
  • General Relativity
  • Topics in Mathematical Physics
  • Topics in Applied and Computational Mathematics
  • Advanced Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations
  • Special Topics II
  • Financial Mathematics
  • Natural Resource Mathematics
  • Ordinary Differential Equations and Dynamical Systems
  • Methods & Models of Applied Mathematics
  • Mathematical Biology
  • Further Topics in Operations Research
  • Scientific Computing: Advanced Techniques and Applications
  • Operations Research & Mathematical Planning
  • Numerical Linear Algebra and Optimisation
  • Multivariate Data Analysis & Machine Learning in Biology

No more than eight units of the flexible core selection may be completed from Level 4 courses. These are: Computation in Financial Mathematics, General Relativity, Topics in Mathematical Physics, Topics in Applied and Computational Mathematics, Advanced Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations

You may also complete up to four units of other courses with approval from the Associate Dean (Academic).

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

To be eligible for entry, applicants must meet at least one of the following requirements:

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any discipline that includes first-year university-level mathematics covering calculus, multivariable calculus, linear algebra and ordinary differential equations, or
  • Have at least five years of full-time equivalent relevant work experience.

Applicants using a previous qualification to meet the entry requirements must have achieved a GPA of at least 4.5 on UQ’s seven-point scale.

Relevant work experience may include employment in a related discipline such as data science, engineering or information technology. Applicants using professional experience as the basis for admission are assessed on their background and prerequisite knowledge, with final approval determined by the Program Coordinator.

Supporting documents

Applicants using relevant work experience may provide a CV as evidence of their professional background and prerequisite knowledge.

English language requirements

Applicants must provide evidence of English language proficiency through at least one accepted option, including:

  • IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall, with at least 6.0 in each component
  • TOEFL iBT: 87 overall, including 19 in listening, 19 in reading, 21 in writing and 19 in speaking
  • PTE Academic: 64 overall, with at least 60 in each communicative skill
  • Bridging English: an overall grade of at least 4, with at least a grade of C in each macro skill
  • Cambridge English Scale: 176 overall, with at least 169 in each skill

OET is not accepted. Other approved qualifications and pathways may also be used to meet UQ’s English language requirements. Contact the university for further information.

Recognition of Prior Learning

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of units that you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

Potential career outcomes include:

  • Finance Analyst
  • Software Engineer
  • Quality Controller
  • Resource Manager

Fees and CSP

Indicative annual fee in 2026: $5,910 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study.

A student’s annual fee may vary by:

  • The number of units studied.
  • Choice of units.
  • Credit from previous study or work experience.
  • Eligibility for government-funded loans.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

  • Calculated per the course you're enrolled in.
  • Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
  • Reviewed and adjusted each year.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

HECS-HELP loans are available to eligible CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.