The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) is an academic network that enables Africa’s brightest students to become innovators that advances scientific, educational and economic self-sufficiency.

AIMS-NEI is a core program of AIMS and involves explicitly the establishment and operation of a network of five centres of excellence across Africa that is focused on the teaching of mathematical sciences to African university graduates.

AIMS chapters are based in Canada, Germany and the UK. Chapters drive partnerships and are responsible for resource mobilisation and public engagement activities aimed at supporting the growth of the network.

AIMSWIS is a flagship program dedicated to accelerating progress for African women in STEM through evidence-based reporting and advocacy, leveraging increased investments, adoption of best practices, engaging men and collaboration across African women in the STEM pipeline.

The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences Schools Enrichment Centre (AIMSSEC) is a not-for-profit organisation providing professional development courses for mathematics teachers, subject advisers and field trainers in South Africa, introducing new mathematics teaching skills, improving subject knowledge and empowering teachers from disadvantaged rural and township communities.

The AIMS House of Science is the coordination Hub of AIMS South Africa’s public engagement activities. Delivering public engagement and advancing leadership, knowledge and skills for scientific outreach and science communication for AIMS students and researchers. House of Science also provides mentoring and capacity building to enhance and up-scale AIMS students and researchers in research dissemination and community outreach.

AIMS is a charitable trust registered in South Africa. AIMS South Africa is governed by the AIMS South Africa Council which includes representatives of each of the six partner universities.

The AIMS South Africa Advisory Board advises on all aspects of the AIMS programme, especially its integration with existing courses and research projects in South African and other African universities.

The AIMS South Africa Executive Team, chaired by the Institute’s Director, Barry Green, oversees the detailed management and day to day running of the AIMS project in South Africa.

AIMS South Africa is funded by the South African government and a wide range of international
foundations, companies and organisations. Further details may be found here. We welcome new partners.

AIMS South Africa is located in Muizenberg, a suburb of Cape Town, is an area of outstanding natural beauty with many cultural and recreational facilities. AIMS is located within easy reach of the three local Universities, and Cape Town international airport, and is just 50 metres from Muizenberg beach.

The August intake of the AIMS Structured Master’s in Mathematical Sciences is open to students of African nationality. A limited number of places (fee paying) are available for students from other parts of the world.

The January intake of the AIMS Structured Master’s in Mathematical Sciences is open to students following the South African academic calendar (January to December). Preference will be given to South African nationals.

Applicants must hold or expect to obtain by the date of commencement of AIMS training a 4-year university degree in mathematics or any other science/engineering discipline with a significant mathematics component. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications for admission to all AIMS centres open on 1 December each year. For the January Intakeat AIMS South Africa only, applications open on 1 September each year. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible to improve their chances of acceptance.

The August intake deadline for AIMS Structured Master’s applications is 31 March of every year.
The January intake deadline for AIMS Structured Master’s applications is 31 October of every year.

Please refer to Tab 1a: The Curriculum

Thanks to the generous support of our donors, all African students receive full scholarships which fully provide for travel, boarding and a small stipend. There are no tuition fees at AIMS. However, if you so wish to support AIMS and its activities, visit AIMS donation site.

No.

AIMS Master’s in Mathematical Sciences is an intensive ten-month postgraduate course which is taught by outstanding international lecturers and formally accredited by the Universities of Cape Town, Stellenbosch and the Western Cape.

Applicants will need to complete an online application form (which includes answers to questions about themselves), contact details for two referees (who AIMS will contact) and provide copies of their academic transcripts.

The required documents include all your university transcripts and academic transcripts.

There is no need for GRE, TOEFL of other related language tests to be eligible for the AIMS Scholarship. However, you might be required to take up some English courses once you are at AIMS South Africa.

As of now, applying for the AIMS scholarship is at no cost. However, if you so wish to support AIMS and its activities, visit AIMS donation site

Depending on the centre that you have selected as your first choice, notifications towards the decision on your application will be communicated as early as June or by the end of July each year for the August intake and in November/December for the January intake.

You can log into your profile to check the status of your application.

Yes, however you will not be able to create a new profile.

On confirmation of your email, the system will detect if your profile was received the previous year. If that’s the case, on login, your previously submitted information will be displayed, then you will need to update the data where necessary.

Once you have created your profile, you will be able to edit your application.

Yes, however your application will not be reviewed until your supporting documents are received.

Not necessary, however we do recommend that you do

You can submit your transcripts at any time during the application process by logging into your profile under the document upload tab.

Check that you are submitting documents with the required file extension .pdf or .jpg, or .jpeg. Note you cannot just rename the file extension on your document, you will need to convert your document to a pdf or jpg using your preferred conversion program.

At least one of your referees must submit a recommendation to support your application.

This means that your application is still being processed.

Please note that the present application profile will not be reconsidered in the following year. You are requested to submit a new application but the system will, on confirmation of your email, detect if your profile was received the previous year, simply update your information and resubmit if you wish to be considered for a new year’s intake.

No registration fees are required for the candidates selected for the Master’s degree. Full scholarships covering tuition, accommodation, meals and travel expenses are also awarded to successful applicants.

On your profile under the referee status, you will be able to view the status of your recommendations.

Make sure you provided the correct referee details. Log into your profile to edit the referee information or add new referees. Note that you can have more than one referee. However, the editing and addition of new referees is only allowed within pre-set days after you created or made previous changes to the referee details.

Confirm with the referee, alternatively check the system status of the recommendation under the referee tab.

For all questions regarding your application please send an email to info@aims.ac.za

AIMS’ academic team has proven experience in pure and applied mathematics, physics, computer science, mathematical biology and other fields. To join AIMS’ team of accomplished lecturers, please click here for more information and to apply. If you are interested in becoming a tutor/teaching assistant please click here for more information.

AIMS is incubating breakthrough research to address global challenges. If you are interested in a postdoctoral fellowship or research position, visiting or hosting a workshop or conference at an AIMS centre, please visit Research

Harness the potential of young scientists impassioned about discovery and inspired by the promise of a new future for Africa. To make a donation to AIMS South Africa or the AIMS Network please visit Donate

Funding AIMS is an investment in innovation. Our students contribute to Africa’s transformation, drive new approaches and build African economic strength. Through a one-time or ongoing monthly gift to AIMS, you will support cutting-edge technology, world-class instructors, classrooms and learning environments that incubate global solutions. Donate today! If you have any queries about making a donation or other ways that you can support our programmes please write to donations@aims.ac.za