What courses are available?
Universities and colleges in the UK are offering courses in the following subject areas:
Alongside a range of single subject choices including pure, applied maths and statistics there are a large number of joint honours courses. Maths and statistics are frequently offered together, with other common pairings being computing, business, finance, or economics.
Subject combinations and available course options include:
- single, joint, and multiple subject combinations
- full-time, part-time, and flexible study options as well as a few courses with a placement (sandwich courses)
- qualifications ranging from BSc and MMath (Hons) degrees, through to a small number of HND, HNC, and Foundation Certificates
A number of universities offer an integrated masters degree known as MMAth. This is a four year undergraduate degree in which the final year is at master’s level. It enables students to study mathematics in greater depth and/or breadth.
Are you considering an accelerated degree? Click here to read more about the possibility of completing your undergraduate course in two years rather than three.
Entry requirements
A levels – To get on to a degree in this subject area you will usually require a minimum of two A levels, with three A levels and A/B grades required for the most popular courses. Entry requirements range from BBC to A*AA, with the universities and colleges most commonly asking for AAB. Maths A level is normally required, with some courses also asking for further maths. Other useful subjects to hold for maths degrees include; physics, chemistry, biology, economics or computer science.
In addition to A levels or equivalent you will also need five GCSEs (A-C) including science, English, and maths.
Scottish Highers – Entry requirements for Highers (the most common qualification) range from AABB to AAAAB, with universities or colleges most frequently requiring AAABB. Occasionally, universities ask for Advanced Highers to supplement Highers. If Advanced Highers are requested, universities or colleges typically ask for AA.
Vocational courses – Other Level 3/Level 6 qualifications (e.g. a Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma, or Providing Financial Services SCQF Level 6) may be accepted as an alternative to A levels/Highers by some providers. It’s essential that you check alternative entry requirements with universities or colleges.
Selection
A few courses may require some applicants to sit an additional aptitude test in mathematics.
Personal statement
Universities are looking for:
- why you have a particular interest in mathematics/statistics
- evidence that you have an enthusiasm for the subject, which could be demonstrated by:
- relevant work experience/shadowing or voluntary work
- additional reading and research around maths topics
- membership of related societies/clubs – e.g. maths club, chess club
- a range of interests outside of academic study – e.g. sport, music
- a well written statement that shows you are a motivated individual who has something to contribute to the university.
Read further advice about how to write your maths personal statement.
Apprenticeships
If you want to combine work and study while earning a salary, you could consider an apprenticeship. Which apprenticeships are available, and how you apply, depends on where you live.
Find out more about apprenticeships across the UK.
There are nearly 40 apprenticeships in the legal, finance, and accounting sector available in England, with more in development.
Each apprenticeship sets out occupational standards for specific job roles, designed by employers. The standards outline the skills, knowledge, and behaviours required to demonstrate that an apprentice is fully competent in the job role.
Higher apprenticeships (Level 4)
- Actuarial technician
- Financial adviser
- Insurance professional
- Internal audit practitioner
- Investment operations specialist
- Paraplanner
- Professional accounting/Taxation technician
Degree apprenticeships (Levels 5 — 7)
Key areas of employment
Maths graduates are employed in a wide range of different career sectors. The key areas of employment include:
- banking and finance
- business consulting and management
- construction and engineering
- IT and computing
- local and central government
- pharmaceutics
- teaching and research
Related careers
Examples of related careers include the following job titles:
- actuary
- chartered accountant
- bank manager
- financial adviser
- insurance underwriter
- investment analyst
- quantity surveyor
- meteorologist
- operational researcher
- research scientist
- software tester
- statistician
- teacher – further/higher education