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Study Mathematics, why & how to study
If you love numbers and want to develop a skill set useful in many different industries, then a degree in Mathematics could be for you.
CONTENTS
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What’s Mathematics?
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What Mathematics degrees can you study?
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What do you need to get onto a Mathematics degree?
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What topics does a Mathematics degree cover?
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How will you be assessed?
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Why study Mathematics?
- Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Mathematics degree?
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What do Mathematics graduates earn?
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What jobs can you get as a Mathematics graduate?
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What are the postgraduate opportunities?
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Similar subjects to Mathematics
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Have any questions?
What’s Mathematics?
Mathematics covers three main areas – maths itself, statistics and operational research.
Mathematicians are interested in number, shape, and space and how to break complex problems into simpler ones, classify objects, and prove that a certain phenomenon must happen, can happen, or can't happen.
Statistics is also driven by real-world problems. By carefully examining data, statisticians help make difficult decisions about the effectiveness of a new drug or make predictions about the likelihood of flooding.
Operational research (OR), also known as management science, is the analysis of decision-making processes. Some of its more well-known areas include game theory and the analysis of voting systems.
What Mathematics degrees can you study?
Undergraduate degrees in Mathematics include single or joint honours, combined with a wide range of subjects, such as:
- Actuarial Science and Mathematics BSc
- Applied Mathematics and Physics BSc
- Economics and Mathematics BSc
- French and Mathematics BA
- Mathematics and Philosophy BSc
- Mathematics BSc/BA/MMath
- Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics and Economics (MORSE) MMorse
Degrees may include an integrated foundation year or master’s. Options may include a year abroad or in industry.
What do you need to get onto a Mathematics degree?
Must have
Entry requirements for a Mathematics degree at a university range from 96–165 UCAS points. This could include the qualifications below.
- A Levels: A*A*A–CCC (Further Maths is sometimes an essential requirement)
- BTECs: D*D*D*–MMM
- Scottish Highers: AAAAA–BBBC (Advanced Highers: AAB–AA)
- International Baccalaureate: 42–30
- Universities will usually ask that you have studied: maths at A Level (or equivalent) Physics is also desirable.
- Some degrees require a maths admissions test, such as TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission), STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper), MAT (Mathematics Admissions Test) or Advanced Extension Award (AEA)
- Interview required by some universities
Good to have
- Research from books, journals, free lectures online, podcasts or the Maths Careers website (sponsored by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications) to identify areas of interest
- Work experience in a finance-related role
- Participating in competitions or challenges such as the Senior Mathematical Challenge
- Volunteering to help teach a maths class or tutor a homework club
- STEM Summer schools, if eligible, such as UNIQ or Sutton Trust
What topics does a Mathematics degree cover?
Typical modules for courses in this subject include:
- Algebraic and differential geometry
- Classical mechanics of particles
- Electromagnetism, quantum mechanics and fluid dynamics
- General relativity
- Geometry and dynamics
- Mathematical biology
- Mathematical philosophy
- Multivariate calculus and mathematical models
- Probability and statistics
- The mathematics of machine learning
- Theoretical and statistical mechanics
- Vector spaces
How will you be assessed?
Assessment is mainly by written exam. Some modules may include a mixture of the following:
- Essays
- Exams
- Poster presentation
- Project report
- Short written assignments
Why study Mathematics?
Mathematicians are needed in many professional contexts, from policymaking to medical research. Study Mathematics and your career could see you play a part in solving some of the world's many complex problems.
Career-specific skills:
- Knowledge of the fundamentals of mathematics and topics that could include data science, quantum mechanics, computational modelling, mathematical ecology and epidemiology
- Placements working in finance, statistics or modelling may be available on some courses
Transferable skills:
- Communication
- Creative problem solving
- Decision making
- Logical reasoning and analytical skills
- Numeracy and IT skills
- Presentation
- Team working
Professional accreditation:
- Degrees may be accredited by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA), leading towards Chartered Mathematician status (CMath)
- Degrees with statistics may be accredited by the Royal Statistical Society (RSS)
- Degrees with accountancy may offer accreditation with professional accountancy bodies, leading to exemption from a range of professional accounting exams
Some universities offer students specific scholarships, bursaries, or grants to encourage access so it’s worth seeing if you are eligible, how to apply and what it covers e.g., materials, tuition fees and/or living costs.
What do Mathematics graduates earn?
Mathematics graduates can expect an entry-level salary of between £20,000–£28,000.
As your career progresses, your average salary will depend on the field you’ve entered. You could have an income of £55,000 as a senior actuarial analyst, or up to £156,500 as chief actuary. If you become an operational researcher, you could earn from £40,000–£80,000 with experience.
Read more on what graduates do and earn here.
What jobs can you get as a Mathematics graduate?
Having specialist knowledge and skills will make you highly employable across many areas. Roles could include:
- Actuary
- Business analyst
- Chartered accountant
- Data scientist
- Economist
- Mathematical researcher
- Mathematician
- Radiation protection scientist
- Statistician
- Teacher
- Trainee actuary
- READ MORE
- Careers with a Mathematics degree
What are the postgraduate opportunities?
Graduates with a Mathematics degree need to complete teacher training such as a PGCE if they wish to become a teacher. Other postgraduate study offers the chance to specialise. Examples of postgraduate degrees include:
- Applied Statistics and Datamining PGDip/MSc
- Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computing MSc
- Mathematics DPhil/MPhil/PhD
- Operational Research with Risk MSc
- Pure Mathematics MSc
Similar subjects to Mathematics
Other subject areas that might appeal to you include:
- Accounting & Finance
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Information Technology & Systems
- Music
- Physics & Astronomy
- Statistics
Have any questions?
If you’ve got any questions about studying Mathematics, you can email our experts at ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk. We’ll be happy to hear from you!
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