Course summary
Whether it's the thrill of problem-solving or the elegance of theory, studying mathematics at Plymouth hones your creative and analytical thinking – skills highly valued by employers, making graduates well-equipped for diverse careers. Research-informed teaching Learn from research-active staff who apply mathematical methods to real-world challenges. Access to the High Performance Computer supports advanced research, especially in your final year. Career-ready skills Gain in-demand abilities like problem-solving, coding and communication. A paid placement year boosts employability – many students secure multiple job offers before graduating. Supportive community Enjoy a close-knit academic environment with small tutorials, approachable lecturers, student-led learning sessions and an active Maths Society. This course is for you if...
- you want to sharpen your problem-solving skills and learn to think logically and creatively
- you look to gain skills and knowledge of mathematical software that employers value
- you're eager to gain hands-on experience and industry exposure during your studies
- you enjoy being part of a close-knit, supportive and collaborative community.
Modules
Year 1 In your first year, you’ll build a solid mathematical foundation that underpins everything in our mathematics degrees. You won’t just learn the theory; you’ll master Python programming, one of the most in-demand skills in industry today, opening doors to cutting-edge careers in data science, finance, and technology. You will develop mathematical knowledge in calculus, matrices, and probability, and discover how computational mathematics can reveal powerful new insights from complex data. You’ll also explore the deeper beauty of mathematics through analysis, the theory behind calculus, and group theory, where you’ll understand patterns and symmetries in the world around us, from crystals to cryptography. Throughout the course, you will benefit from direct support from expert lecturers in small, friendly group sessions designed to give you a truly personalised experience. By the end of your first year, you’ll not only be primed for success on the course but you’ll have the freedom to tailor your journey, with the flexibility to switch to one of our other exciting specialist mathematics degrees as your passions evolve. Year 2 In Year 2, you’ll take your mathematical learning to the next level; tackling advanced topics that equip you with the tools and mindset of a professional mathematician. You won’t just deepen your knowledge; you’ll sharpen your employability skills. In our case studies from industry module, you’ll apply mathematics to genuine business challenges, mastering operational research – the mathematics of decision making in business. You will be taught Monte Carlo methods which are industry-standard techniques used to solve intricate logistical problems, the same tools used in finance, engineering, and supply chain optimisation around the world. By the end of your second year, you won’t just have a deep understanding of key mathematical concepts, you’ll have a cutting-edge toolkit of modern problem-solving skills that employers are searching for. You’ll be well on your way to becoming a highly sought-after mathematician, ready to shape industries and solve tomorrow’s toughest challenges. Optional placement year Our placement year is your chance to step into the real world and make an immediate impact. You’ll apply your mathematical expertise within a professional context, from industry and research to healthcare, government and beyond. Whether you’re optimising business strategies, driving innovation in tech, or contributing to life-changing research, you’ll see first-hand how powerful and versatile your skills really are. Not only will you gain invaluable experience and confidence, but many of our placement students secure graduate roles as a direct result of their year in industry. In addition to the skills and experiences you will gain, placement salaries are typically around £20,000. When you return to Plymouth, you’ll come back energised and inspired, with a clear vision of how mathematics shapes the world and a renewed drive to excel in your final year. Final year In your final year, you will choose from a range of modules spanning pure and applied mathematics, operational research, theoretical physics and data science, allowing you to shape your degree around what excites you most. A standout feature of the final year is your project work – whether it’s a research-driven individual project under the guidance of a mathematics expert, a dynamic industry placement, a school-based experience, or a collaborative case study in a small team. By the time you graduate, you won’t just have a degree, you’ll have a portfolio of advanced knowledge, hands-on experience, and real-world problem-solving skills that make you stand out. Your next adventure may be a professional graduate job, or further study of the rich world of mathematics. Whatever you want, you will be exceptionally well placed for future success. For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly.
Assessment method
For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Mathematics and its Applications, Institute of
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
International applicants
The University of Plymouth has a dedicated Student Immigration Advice (SIA) service who will support you from the day you accept an offer at the University, right through to graduation. They will offer help and advice so you can get the most out of your studies, and your time in the UK, visit www.plymouth.ac.uk/student-life/services/international-students/international-student-advice for more information. Once you have applied through UCAS, your conditional offer letters will also be sent to you by email, so be sure to enter your current email address on your application and to check this email regularly. You'll need your unconditional letter, and the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) that we'll send you, when applying for your student visa to the UK. A tuition fee deposit will be required before we'll send you the CAS. We're a licenced Sponsor under the Points Based System. To comply with our duties as a Sponsor, we're required to check other aspects of your application in addition to your academic achievements, for example any previous studies, financial status and your immigration history in the UK. For course entry requirements (inc. English requirements) please refer to the specific page for the course you are interested in (www.plymouth.ac.uk/study). A recognised English language qualification (e.g. IELTS) would be required or successful completion of one of the University's pre-sessional English Language courses. Check our country pages to find out more about application from your specific home country www.plymouth.ac.uk/international/study/international-students-country-guides. International fees, please visit our fees and funding pages www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/fees. If you have any questions please contact [email protected]
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 112 points
A level
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Scottish Advanced Higher
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 28 points
WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales - C
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024) - C
Extended Project
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies (Core Maths)
City & Guilds Certificate in Using and Applying Mathematics (Core Maths)
OCR Certificate in Quantitative Problem Solving (MEI) (Core Maths)
OCR Certificate in Quantitative Reasoning (MEI) (Core Maths)
Pearson Edexcel Certificate in Mathematics in Context (Core Maths)
T Level - Not accepted
Must have GCSE English and Maths at Grade C/ 4 or above.
Student Outcomes
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
University of Plymouth
Drake Circus
Plymouth
PL4 8AA
