Skills learned through the study and application of mathematics often prove invaluable in solving the complex problems arising in today’s workplace, and it is no coincidence that Surrey Mathematics graduates are in great demand.

In addition to excellent employment prospects, our programmes open up many opportunities for further study.

We run a comprehensive range of degree programmes encompassing some of the latest advances in mathematics and statistics. Additionally we offer programmes that combine these with computing, finance or music. We are continually developing the scope and flavour of our programmes, and a considerable amount of choice is available in later years. Our modular structure has been designed to give flexibility, allowing you to choose from a wide range of options and to switch between them easily.

All our programmes can be taken with or without a professional training year except MMath with integrated placement (G100) where the professional experience is fully integrated into the third year. The professional placement provides you with an opportunity to apply your skills and knowledge in a real-world setting. We have a dedicated professional training year team to advise and support you in finding a placement.

Our degrees provide you with an overview of the key theories and techniques that underlie modern pure and applied mathematics, as well as offering ample opportunities for in-depth study of specialised topics that take your interest. 

Our programmes produce graduates who are highly numerate and computer-fluent. Through your studies with us you will develop well-honed analytical and other transferable skills to equip you for a variety of interesting and rewarding careers. In addition to specific technical skills, you will gain a broad knowledge base and develop important general skills such as thinking independently, communicating effectively, meeting deadlines and engaging productively in teamwork.

MMath Mathematics
This programme involves four years of academic study (or five years with a professional training year). Your first and second years are common with the BSc Mathematics programme. The final two years allow a broad range of advanced mathematical topics to be studied in depth. This provides excellent training for a professional mathematical career or a postgraduate research degree.

In the final two years specialist MMath modules are combined with BSc modules in a variety of mathematical areas such as algebra, analysis, dynamics, topology and statistics. A major project on a topic of your choosing is undertaken during the final year, giving you an opportunity to display your skills in your favourite area.

MMath Mathematics with integrated Professional Training
This programme is a variation on the MMath degree that includes an integrated period of six to eight months of professional training. Your first and second years are common with the BSc Mathematics programme. In your third year, the first semester consists of four taught modules. 

From January to August you will then go on a professional placement at a higher level than those for BSc programmes, requiring greater technical skill. Your fourth year consists of further academic work, combining specialist MMath modules with BSc modules.

This programme has the advantage of combining the in-depth study of mathematics with the experience of working in a professional environment, all within a four-year period.

BSc Mathematics
The BSc Mathematics programme incorporates themes from pure and applied mathematics, statistics and computing. Your first year provides a thorough grounding in fundamental mathematical, statistical and computational methods and concepts.
Your second year comprises modules on topics such as Analysis, Algebra, Random Processes, Differential Equations, Fluid Mechanics and Numerical and Computational Methods. In your final year you can pursue your own interests and choose a broad mix of topics with optional modules including Chaos and Fractals, Mathematical Economics, Mathematics of Weather, Advanced Stochastic Modelling and Neural Networks.

BSc Mathematics and Computing Science
This programme combines broad training in mathematics with a specialisation in computing science. Half of your second year comprises computing modules such as Object-oriented Software Engineering, Computer Graphics and Introduction to Artificial Intelligence. You will also study core mathematics topics. Computing makes up at least half of your final year, with mathematical topics comprising the rest. Modules include Computer Security, Neural Networks and Web Technologies.

BSc Mathematics with Statistics
The Mathematics with Statistics programme consists of approximately one third statistics, the rest being mathematics. It shares a first year with the Mathematics programme, giving you a firm grounding in pure and applied mathematics, statistics and computing. This also gives you the flexibility to change programmes at any time in the first year. 

From the second year onwards the programme consists of core material in mathematics and statistics and options that you can choose according to your interests.

BSc Financial Mathematics
The Financial Mathematics programme provides good preparation for a career in finance by combining the study of core mathematics and statistics with topics in economics and finance. These include analysis of shares, equities, cash flows and interest rates, along with an introduction to the principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics. You will receive a solid grounding in mathematics, statistics and economics.

In your final year, half the programme consists of core modules in statistics and financial economics, alongside your choice of options ranging from Games, Markets and Information to Chaos and Fractals.

BSc Mathematics with Music
Providing the opportunity to study both mathematics and music, this programme shares many core modules with other Mathematics programmes and consists of one quarter music with three quarters mathematics.

On the music side you can elect to follow either the performance or the composition stream. In composition you will study a wide range of styles of contemporary repertoire. The emphasis is on exploration and experimentation and you will be encouraged to pursue your own musical interests. 

By your second year, you will be expected to demonstrate an enhanced individual style and interact confidently with performers of your music. Assessment includes the rehearsing, performing and recording of compositions as well as the preparation of scores.

In the performance stream you will receive frequent and regular individual instrument or vocal tuition, and will have the opportunity to take full advantage of all the performing opportunities within the Department of Music.

The professional training year is an option for you, whichever programme you choose to take. Sandwiched between Levels 2 and 3 (except in programme G100 where the professional placement is fully integrated in Level 3), it provides an opportunity to enhance your academic studies, with practical experience augmenting your knowledge and skills.

Mathematicians are in demand in many areas of business and industry. The work you are able to do on placement reflects this breadth, and may vary from operational research and computer programming in insurance or banking, to analysing clinical trials, to solving heat transfer and aerodynamic problems encountered in the atomic energy and aerospace fields.

We have excellent links with an extensive portfolio of companies and research organisations. Recent employers include Deloitte & Touche, Intel, AXA Actuarial, Royal Sun Alliance, Lloyds TSB, GlaxoSmithKline, the NHS, the Department of Transport and HM Customs and Excise. 

While on placement, you will be a paid employee of the training company. You will, however, also continue to be a member of the University and will be visited periodically by academic staff to track your progress and help ensure that you have a successful experience.

Transfer between programmes which do or do not include a professional placement is possible during your first year, so a decision made when you apply can be changed later.

Rather than ask which careers require mathematics, the question should probably be which careers do not. Not only are mathematics and statistics central to science, technology and finance-related fields, but also the logical insight, analytical skills and intellectual discipline gained from a mathematical education are highly sought after in areas such as law, business and management. Additionally, there is a strong demand for new mathematics teachers to meet the ongoing shortage in schools.

The range of employment opportunities open to those with mathematical and statistical training includes the broad areas of finance, computing, consulting and management. Many of our graduates start their careers with some of the most sought-after employers. Recent employers include BAE Systems, Lloyds TSB Group, Skandia Life, Friends Provident, Logica CMG, UniChem, Generics UK, Thames Water, the Civil Service, QinetiQ and Liverpool Victoria Insurance.

As well as being designed to meet the needs of future employers, our degree programmes will also give you a solid foundation from which to pursue further study in mathematics or scientific research. Nearly 20 per cent of our recent graduates have gone into postgraduate education, either obtaining teaching qualifications or reading for higher degrees such as the MSc and PhD.

Teaching is by a mixture of lectures, tutorials and computer laboratory sessions. Contact hours range from about 16 per week during your first year to about 12 per week during your final year. In your first year you will have weekly tutorial meetings with your academic tutor in small groups of five to six students.

We anticipate that each academic year will involve roughly 1200 hours of study time, with contact hours occupying between a third and a quarter of this. The remaining time is used for your own private study, the completion of coursework and revision.

Assignments include exercises, case studies and projects, undertaken either as individual work or within small groups. We make imaginative use of state-of-the-art IT, and general and specialist software further enriches your learning and enlivens your studies.

At Level 1, your performance is assessed through tests in each module and formal examinations at the end of each semester. At all other levels assessment is by a combination of coursework, class tests and end-of-semester examinations. From these assessments, as well as from informal assignments, you will receive regular feedback that allows you to gauge your progress and to make an informed choice of optional modules.