University of Birmingham - The Kuttner Prize

What the Kuttner Prize gives you

The Kuttner Prize is a one-off award worth approximately 614 EUR for the best performance in the Pure Mathematics modules for years 3 and 4. It is awarded by the Faculty of Mathematics at the University of Birmingham. It is named after Brian Kuttner, a mathematician who taught there from 1932 to 1975. It is an achievement award for outstanding marks in courses, not a monthly scholarship.

Who can win it

• University: You are studying for a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics at the University of Birmingham.
• Study stage: You are in the 3 or 4 academic year of your degree programme (BSc or MSci).
• Field: You are focusing on pure mathematics. There are separate prizes for applied mathematics and data science; this prize is therefore intended exclusively for pure mathematics.
• Performance: You achieved the best results in the modules taught (and examined) in the 3 and 4 year groups.
• Nationality: Participants of any nationality can win, provided they are registered for the programme.

How it is awarded

There is no application process. The Faculty of Mathematics selects the winner internally on the basis of their marks and presents the prize every July during the graduation ceremony.

How realistic are your chances?

You cannot apply for it, so it is not something you can plan for. The prize is awarded to the best student in the subject of ‘Pure Mathematics’ from the cohorts 3 and 4, meaning that only one person wins each year. The only way to stay in the running is to achieve the highest marks in your Pure Mathematics modules. Think of it as recognition for outstanding achievement rather than a scholarship that you can work towards specifically.