Highlights

  • Learn to design, operate and/or predict behaviour of complex systems like people, machinery, materials and money in industry, business, finance, education, government and defence.
  • Use mathematical models and numerical algorithms to make appropriate and better decisions in complex decision-making problems.
  • Employ advanced analytical methods such as operations research, financial mathematics, stochastic and mathematical modelling, and mathematical optimisation.
  • Work within different industries including manufacturing and production, management, health care, finance and economics, goods and services, infrastructure, transportation and logistics, mining and defence.

Highlights

  • Learn to design, operate and/or predict behaviour of complex systems like people, machinery, materials and money in industry, business, finance, education, government and defence.
  • Use mathematical models and numerical algorithms to make appropriate and better decisions in complex decision-making problems.
  • Employ advanced analytical methods such as operations research, financial mathematics, stochastic and mathematical modelling, and mathematical optimisation.
  • Work within different industries including manufacturing and production, management, health care, finance and economics, goods and services, infrastructure, transportation and logistics, mining and defence.
  • QUT is ranked sixth for statistics and operational research in Australia (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024).

Applications are open for 2025

Secure your spot now

Mark your calendar, as the on-time application closing date for the upcoming semester is fast approaching.

Ready to apply?

Guarantee a place in your course

For this course, if you have completed an AQF diploma or higher, or receive an ATAR or selection rank of 84.00 or higher and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course in 2025.

View our course offers

Why choose this course?

The operations research major encompasses the study of quantitative techniques relevant to decision-making in its broadest sense. You will employ a problem-solving approach, using advanced analytical methods such as operations research, financial mathematics, stochastic and mathematical modelling, and mathematical optimisation. You will also use a variety of software and improve your information technology skills.

Because of its emphasis on human-technology interaction and its focus on practical applications, operations research is a multidisciplinary field, notably overlapping with industrial engineering and operations management, and economics and finance.

The coursework also introduces you to different industries and processes that greatly contribute to the economy and environment of nations around the world. These include manufacturing and production, management, health care, finance and economics, goods and services, infrastructure, transportation and logistics, mining and defence. This study area provides a foundation for a variety of careers and further study. 

Why choose this course?

The operations research major encompasses the study of quantitative techniques relevant to decision-making in its broadest sense. You will employ a problem-solving approach, using advanced analytical methods such as operations research, financial mathematics, stochastic and mathematical modelling, and mathematical optimisation. You will also use a variety of software and improve your information technology skills. Because of its emphasis on human-technology interaction and its focus on practical applications, operations research is a multidisciplinary field, notably overlapping with industrial engineering and operations management, and economics and finance.

The coursework also introduces you to different industries and processes that greatly contribute to the economy and environment of nations around the world. These include manufacturing and production, management, health care, finance and economics, goods and services, infrastructure, transportation and logistics, mining and defence. This study area provides a foundation for a variety of careers and further study. 

Explore this course

What to expect

Operations research is a mathematical discipline that considers how to make appropriate and better decisions in complex decision-making problems. It deals with how best to design, operate and/or predict behaviour of complex systems like people, machinery, materials and money in industry, business, finance, education, government and defence.

Mathematics graduates play integral roles in the workplace, developing mathematical models and numerical algorithms to answer what-if scenarios, and design experiments to help guide research and improve processes. 

Customise your degree

Foster your passion and shape your career through complementary study areas. As well as choosing a major area of study, your course includes a second study area, which can be either a second major or double minor.

A second major can complement your major area of study, giving you the opportunity to develop a significant depth of knowledge and skills in two discipline areas.

Mathematics Second Major

  • Data Science provides the necessary skills to be a data scientist including statistical methods and data visualisation, computational tools and data management techniques for large datasets, and high-performance computing resources and techniques. This unique skill-set in statistics and computing will allow you to cope with sophisticated models applied to complex and/or large datasets.  

Careers and outcomes

Careers and outcomes

Operations research graduates typically have a wide range of choices for employment. The job markets for actuaries, finance and operations research analysts have been quite strong in recent years and are expected to remain so in the near future. In addition, students with excellent grades who desire more education in these areas will find a large number of opportunities for postgraduate study. The operations research major prepares you for careers or for further postgraduate study in such technical fields as management science, information technology, industrial engineering, strategic planning, systems analysis, financial analysis and actuarial science. 

Possible careers

  • Actuary
  • Financial advisor/analyst
  • Ict administrator
  • Mathematician
  • Operations manager
  • Research officer
  • Risk manager
  • Systems analyst

Details and units

To meet the course requirements of the Bachelor of Mathematics, you must complete a total of 288 credit points, made up of:

  • Core units - 96 credit points
  • A Major – 96 credit points
  • QUT You - 24 credit points
  • Complementary studies - 72 credit points, made up of:
        - a second major (72 credit points), or
        - a minor (48 credit points) and option units (24 credit points).

To meet the course requirements of the Bachelor of Mathematics, you must complete a total of 288 credit points, made up of:

  • Core units - 96 credit points
  • A Major – 96 credit points
  • QUT You - 24 credit points
  • Complementary studies - 72 credit points, made up of:
        - a second major (72 credit points), or
        - a minor (48 credit points) and option units (24 credit points).

Requirements

ATAR/selection rank threshold
84.00

These thresholds are the lowest adjusted scores to which QUT made an offer in Semester 1, 2024.

Don't have a ATAR/selection rank?

Find out other ways you can apply

Course code
MS01
QTAC code
418701
CRICOS code
049433D
Delivery
  • Gardens Point
Delivery
  • Gardens Point
Duration
3 years full-time
6 years part-time
Duration
3 years full-time
Entry
February
Entry
February
Deferment

You can defer your offer and postpone the start of your course for one year.

Assumed knowledge

Before you start this course, we assume you have sound knowledge of the subject/s listed below. If you don't have the subject knowledge, you can still apply for the course but we strongly encourage you to undertake bridging studies to gain the knowledge:

  • English, or Literature, or English and Literature Extension, or English as an Additional Language (Units 3 & 4, C)
  • Mathematical Methods, or Specialist Mathematics (Units 3 & 4, C)

More about assumed knowledge

Offer guarantee

If you achieve an ATAR or selection rank of 84.00 or higher (including any adjustments) and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.

VET guarantee

If you have completed an AQF diploma or higher, and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.

Advanced standing

If you have prior studies or work experience, you may be eligible for advanced standing (credit). You can apply for advanced standing once you've been accepted to QUT. If you're in your first semester of study, you must apply for advanced standing within 10 days of receiving your offer.

More about advanced standing

Deferment

You can defer your offer and postpone the start of your course for one year.

More about deferring your offer

Adjustments to your ATAR/selection rank

Any adjustments you receive to your ATAR or selection rank will be applied to this course.

Find out if you’re eligible for an adjustment to your ATAR or selection rank

Offers we made to school leavers in Semester 1, 2024

The figures listed in the tables below reflect the offers that were made to recent ATAR students. The entry thresholds box at the top of this page shows the lowest adjusted ATAR/selection rank required to receive an offer for all applicants for the most recent January QTAC offer round.

Excluding adjustments Including adjustments
Highest ATAR/selection rank
to receive an offer
Selection rank 96.45
Selection rank 99.95
Median ATAR/selection rank
to receive an offer
Selection rank 89.30
Selection rank 94.55
Lowest ATAR/selection rank
to receive an offer
Selection rank 85.85
Selection rank 90.85

You can find out more about your fellow students’ backgrounds with this course’s student profile.

Other admission options

If you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, you may be eligible for admission through our Centralised Assessment Selection Process (CASP).

I completed my studies outside of Australia

Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide to the grades you need to apply for this course.

If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.

Assumed knowledge
  • Mathematical Methods, or Specialist Mathematics (Units 3 & 4, C)

I completed secondary school in Australia

Assumed knowledge
  • Mathematical Methods, or Specialist Mathematics (Units 3 & 4, C)

More about assumed knowledge

ATAR/selection rank
84.00
Offer guarantee

If you completed secondary school in Australia and achieve an ATAR/selection rank of 84.00 or higher (including any adjustments) and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.

VET guarantee

If you have completed an AQF diploma or higher, and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.

Minimum English language requirements

Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide on meeting QUT’s English language requirements.

Your scores and prior qualifications in English-speaking countries are considered. Approved English-speaking countries are Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, United States of America and Wales.

If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.

We accept English language proficiency scores from the following tests undertaken in a secure test centre. Tests must be taken no more than 2 years prior to the QUT course commencement.

English Test Overall Listening Reading Writing Speaking
IELTS Academic / One Skill Retake 6.5 6 6 6 6
Cambridge English Score
You must share your results with QUT through the Candidate Results Online website.
176 169 169 169 169
PTE Academic 58 50 50 50 50
TOEFL iBT 79 16 16 21 18

Don't have the English language score you need? We can help!

We offer English language programs to improve your English and help you gain entry to this course.

When you apply for this course, we will recommend which English course you should enrol in.

Fees

Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.

2025 fees

2025: CSP $5,000 per year full-time (96 credit points)

2025 fees

2025: $37,500 per year full-time (96 credit points)

2024 fees

2024: CSP $4,600 per year full-time (96 credit points)

2024 fees

2024: $34,500 per year full-time (96 credit points)

Student services and amenities fees

You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.

Find out more about undergraduate course fees

HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees

You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.

Find out more about government loans

Scholarships

You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.

Browse all scholarships

QUT Excellence Scholarship (Academic)

QUT's premier offering for students with outstanding academic achievement.

Scholarship eligibility
Academic performance

Equity scholarships scheme

A scholarship for low-income students studying in any faculty.

Scholarship eligibility
Struggling financially

QUT Elite Sport Scholarship

QUT's premier offering for students with outstanding sporting achievement.

Scholarship eligibility
Sporting excellence

International Merit Scholarship

A high achievement scholarship for future international undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Scholarship eligibility
Academic performance

Oodgeroo Noonuccal Undergraduate & Postgraduate Scholarship

The Oodgeroo Scholarship Program promotes the pursuit of Indigenous Australian studies by supporting the education of Indigenous Australians.

Scholarship eligibility
Indigenous Australian

QUT Budding Entrepreneur Scholarship

A scholarship for innovative individuals who are engaged in their passion for entrepreneurial action.

Scholarship eligibility

QUT Rising Sports Scholarship (including esport)

Opportunities exist for aspiring esports players to be part of an Oceanic leading program that embraces skill-acquisition, culture and academics.

Scholarship eligibility
Sporting excellence

QUT Real World International Scholarship

A scholarship to cover tuition fees, with eligibility based on your prior academic achievements.

Scholarship eligibility
Academic performance

Applying guide

When you're preparing your application, make sure you have all the important information. This includes understanding the entry requirements, and checking if you're eligible for advanced standing (credit).

How to apply


QTAC code

You'll need to know this course's QTAC code when you apply through QTAC.


Ready to apply?

If you've already read about the best way to apply, you can apply directly through QTAC.

Apply now with QTAC

How to apply

Follow our step-by-step applying guide to make sure your application is complete, giving you the best chance of getting in.

How to apply


Ready to apply?

If you're ready for the next step, apply online today.

Apply now

Ready to apply?

If you're ready for the next step, apply online today or contact our MBA Program Manager +61 468 575 146 or mba@qut.edu.au

Apply now

Ready to apply?

If you're ready for the next step, apply online today or contact our MBA Program Manager +61 468 575 146 (Brisbane),
(02) 6198 3098 (Canberra), emba@qut.edu.au

Apply now

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