In Mathematics research is organised around five themes: Analysis of Partial Differential Equations, Ergodic Theory, Geometry, Mechanics & Fluids, Modelling, Numerics and Applications and Mathematical Statistics. A particular focus is placed on two-way interactions at the interface between pure and applied research, between the development of new mathematics and the modelling and analysis of concrete problems.

Cross-disciplinary research areas that Mathematics contribute to include the dynamics and control of spacecraft (with the Surrey Space Centre), environmental fluid flows (with the Fluids Research Group and the Centre for Environmental Strategy), biomedical modelling (with Physics), systems biology (with Microbial Sciences), and the modelling and analysis of complex social and economic systems (with Computing, Sociology and the Centre for Environmental Strategy).

Theoretical physics research includes theoretical condensed matter physics (Advanced Technology Institute and Surrey Materials Institute) and theoretical nuclear physics (Nuclear and Radiation Physics).