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CONTENTS

1. What’s Mathematics?

2. What Mathematics degrees can you study?

3. What do you need to get onto a Mathematics degree?

4. What topics does a Mathematics degree cover?

5. How will you be assessed?

6. Why study Mathematics?

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

8. What do Mathematics graduates earn?

9. What jobs can you get as a Mathematics graduate?

10. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

11. Similar subjects to Mathematics

12. Have any questions?

What’s Mathematics?

What Mathematics degrees can you study?

Undergraduate degrees in Mathematics include single honours. You can also study it as a joint honours with a wide range of other subjects. Examples of degrees:

Mathematics BSc/BA/BMath

The BSc (Bachelor of Science) degree is the standard Mathematics degree. The BMath (Bachelor of Mathematics) is similar. The BA (Bachelor of Arts) has a more liberal arts focus, with a broader range of modules available.

Find .

Actuarial Science and Mathematics BSc

These degree courses tend to combine the study of mathematics, statistics and business. They help you get ready to work as a professional actuary.

Search for Actuarial Science courses.

Applied Mathematics BSc

This degree helps you take theories of maths to apply them to real-world problems. Courses usually include plenty of computer and lab work. In the future, you could find work in fields like engineering, data analysis or technology.

Look through Applied Mathematics courses.

Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics and Economics (MORSE) BMorse/MMorse

This interdisciplinary degree equips you with a specialist skillset. It prepares you for work where you apply quantitative and analytical methods to solve complex issues. The BMorse is undergraduate, whereas the MMorse includes an integrated master’s year.

Find MORSE courses.

Other options

There are many subject combinations you can study with maths. For instance:

• Economics and Mathematics BSc
• French and Mathematics BA
• Mathematics and Philosophy BSc

Courses may include an integrated foundation year. Some offer opportunities for professional placements and studying abroad. Accelerated study and January start dates are often available too.

See the top 10 universities for Mathematics.

What do you need to get onto a Mathematics degree?

Must have

Entry requirements for a Mathematics degree 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 

Read about: what is STEM?

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 the subject and your career could be involved 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). Accreditation leads 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. Accreditation leads to exemption from a range of professional accounting exams

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 a chief actuary. If you become an operational researcher, you could earn from £40,000–£80,000 with experience.

Read more on .

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

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

Search for undergraduate Mathematics courses now!

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!