What qualifications do you need?

Specific entry requirements vary considerably between institutions. Always check for the university and course you're interested in. A Level: Mathematics is essential. Further Mathematics is desirable and, for some universities, essential. Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers: Higher Mathematics is essential. Advanced Higher Mathematics is desirable and, for some universities, essential. IB: Mathematics HL is usually essential. Some universities may ask you to sit one or more of the following papers: Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT) Advanced Extension Award (AEA) Sixth Term Examination Papers (STEP)

What degrees can you study?

You can study courses in mathematics, statistics and operational research. This can lead to: BA Hons BSc Hons MA Hons MMath Hons MMathStat Hons MSci Hons These honours degrees can be used as entry qualifications to jobs. Or as entry qualifications for further study in postgraduate degrees or professional qualifications.

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Study Mathematics, why & how to study

Q: What's Mathematics?

Mathematics is at the heart of questions about the world. 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.

Q: How will you be assessed?

Mathematics, statistics and operational research degrees are usually taught by means of lectures with a pattern of regular coursework, some assessed and some not, with final examinations at the end of a unit of study. You'll be expected to spend a significant amount of time working independently or in small groups, digesting the material from lectures and working on problems. Most programmes also include some computing with specialist software and project work, either in groups or individually. Four-year degrees typically include a substantial project in which you study a particular topic in-depth with the guidance of a supervisor. Placement opportunities are often available in schools for those interested in teaching. Internships are common, especially in statistics and operational research.

Q: What are the postgraduate opportunities?

One- or two-year certificates in initial teacher training (PGCE) One-year taught master's degree courses (MSc) One-year master's degree by research courses (MRes) Two-year research degrees (MPhil) Three or four-year research degrees (PhD)

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.

CHOOSING A COURSE POSTGRADUATE UNDERGRADUATE

Tamsin Mosse 24 Jan 2023

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Student cleaning green chalkboard with duster in class

What’s Mathematics?
What Mathematics degrees can you study?
What do you need to get onto a Mathematics degree?
What topics does a Mathematics degree cover?
How will you be assessed?
Why study Mathematics?
Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Mathematics degree?
What do Mathematics graduates earn?
What jobs can you get as a Mathematics graduate?
What are the postgraduate opportunities?
Similar subjects to Mathematics
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

GO TO
Five reasons to study Mathematics

Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Mathematics degree?

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

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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

GO TO
Find postgraduate courses for Mathematics
Types of postgraduate degrees

Similar subjects to Mathematics

Other subject areas that might appeal to you include:

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!

CHOOSING A COURSE POSTGRADUATE UNDERGRADUATE

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