The Chartered Mathematician (CMath) designation represents high levels of professionalism and competence in mathematics. It is awarded by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications to practicing professional mathematicians who demonstrate, as well as their professional status and competence, a commitment to keep pace with advancing knowledge in mathematics and its applications.

Requirements

Applicants for admission to the register of Chartered Mathematicians must be a Member (MIMA) or Fellow of the Institute and meet the requirements in the following components:

  • Education
  • Postgraduate Training, Experience and Professional Standing
  • Continuing Professional Development

Applicants should provide suitable evidence to demonstrate that they have met these requirements, which are detailed below.

Education

The following requirements are based on the Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) Levels. The educational requirements can be met by one of the following.

  1. An approved MMath honours degree (FHEQ level 7) .
  2. An approved Bachelors honours degree (FHEQ level 6) in mathematics followed by a higher level taught or research degree (FHEQ level 7) in mathematics or a cognate subject.
  3. An approved Bachelors honours degree (FHEQ level 6) in mathematics followed by subsequent training and experience in employment to obtain equivalent competences to those specified by the QAA for taught masters degrees (FHEQ level 7).
  4. A Bachelors or Masters undergraduate pass degree in mathematics followed by subsequent acquisition in education or employment of mathematical competences equivalent to those in 1, 2, or 3 above.
  5. A Bachelors or Masters undergraduate degree in mathematics which is taken in combination with one or more other subjects, or in a discipline with a high mathematics content such as would be the case in some engineering or physics programmes, followed by subsequent acquisition in education or employment of mathematical competences equivalent to those in 1, 2, or 3 above.

Bachelors or Masters undergraduate degrees would need to contain a minimum of 66% of undergraduate level mathematics at each stage of the course. If any particular year has less than this it can be compensated for in later years.

The QAA competences for taught masters degrees (FHEQ level 7) are detailed in Chartered designations: Appendix A.

Postgraduate Training and Experience

Applicants are required to demonstrate that they have developed the appropriate level of mathematical, generic and specific competences as described in the Chartered Mathematician: Appendix B section of application.  Applicants are also required to have at least five years postgraduate training and experience requiring the application of mathematical knowledge.  This must include employment at an appropriate level of professional standing for a minimum period of two years in which the professional skills of a chartered mathematician are pertinent to the execution of the duties of the post.  A summary of expectations for posts in education, science, technology, commerce, engineering and finance is contained in the Sector Specific section of Chartered Mathematician: Appendix B.

Applicants who can demonstrate that they have successfully completed an approved Graduate Training Scheme, or followed the Initial Professional Development Scheme, will have met the postgraduate training and experience requirements for obtaining the Chartered Mathematician designation. Compliance over several years with the requirements of the Continuing Professional Development Scheme will provide strong supporting evidence that applicants have met the training and experience requirements.

Continuing Professional Development

Applicants are required to make a commitment to maintaining their continuing professional development throughout their careers.

Details of the IMA’s CPD scheme may be found in the Continuing Professional Development section. This scheme is not obligatory.

Fees and How to Apply

Entrance Fee £30
Annual Fee
£34

Applicants must supply all information as requested on the application form, either hardcopy or on the portal, and indicate their agreement to the declaration.  This agreement constitutes a contract to abide by the rules of the Institute.  Where possible, all applications should be accompanied by transcript(s) of degree(s).    A properly completed application will not be processed until the appropriate fees are received.

Applicants for the designation should nominate two referees who will be invited to submit comprehensive references.  These references are crucial in the consideration of the application.

The referees must be people who have detailed knowledge and understanding of the applicant’s work and who can comment on the extent that the requirements for education, postgraduate training and experience, and the professional standing of the applicant’s recent employment, have been met.

Referees should be senior than the applicant, or of equal seniority but working for a different department or organisation.  Ideally, at least one referee should be a Chartered Mathematician or failing that a senior member of a relevant professional body. In general, at least one referee should be from the applicant’s current employment. Nominated referees should not be family members.

Applicants that do not hold masters (FHEQ level 7) or above qualifications are required to demonstrate that they have obtained equivalent competence level, as outlined in Chartered designations: Appendix A, within their training and experience. Equivalent competency can be demonstrated on the FHEQ Level 7 Equivalence Report or within the responses to CMath Competences.  Supporting evidence for master level equivalency within CMath Competence responses should be clearly highlighted.

Applications are considered by the Membership Committee.  Applications usually take two to three months to process from receipt at Catherine Richards House.

Post nominals

Chartered mathematicians are entitled to use the title ‘Chartered Mathematician’ and may use CMath as a prefix to membership grade (i.e. CMath MIMA or CMath FIMA).

Further Information

Applicants may apply for Advanced membership and the Chartered Mathematician designation simultaneously.

Contact the Membership Team

For further guidance or to talk to somebody about getting chartered, contact the membership department.

Application

To apply for CMath please visit myIMA
CMath application can be found under the ‘Me and the IMA’ menu in the Professional Registers section.  Please note if you are not already an Advanced Member you would need to start your membership application before you can apply for Chartered Mathematician.

If you’re unable to apply via myIMA please use the application form below.

Relevant Pages

Chartered designations: Appendix A

Frameworks for higher education qualifications in England, Wales, and in Scotland have been published. These contain the following common descriptor for masters degrees awarded within UK.

Chartered Mathematician: Appendix B

A mathematician seeking a Chartered designation status will need to demonstrate employment experience requiring the application of mathematical skills gained during a degree course