The Maths lecturers are really helpful and willing to spend extra time to explain any difficult areas. There’s a fantastic community here. It’s not just a place to study for your degree, it’s a place where you develop as a person.
Mathematical expertise provides important insight for decision making in such diverse areas of business and industry as finance, medical science, digital communications and weather forecasting. Our Mathematics degrees are an excellent preparation for a career in these exciting fields.
Mathematics is a highly regarded discipline that both underpins contemporary life and is a fascinating subject in its own right. 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.
We run a comprehensive range of degree programmes encompassing some of the latest advances in mathematics and statistics, including programmes that combine these with computing, finance, physics 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.
Providing the opportunity to study both mathematics and music, these programmes share many core modules with other mathematics programmes and consist 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 are encouraged to pursue your own musical interests. By the second year, you are expected to demonstrate an enhanced individual style and interact confidently with performers of your music. Assessment includes the rehearsal, performance and recording of compositions, as well as the preparation of scores.
In the performance stream, you receive frequent and regular individual instrument or vocal tuition, and have the opportunity to take full advantage of all the performing opportunities within the Department of Music.
The G1W3 programme has a duration of three years, whereas the G1WH programme includes a Professional Training placement year between the second and third academic years, and so has a duration of four years.
In Year 1, we expect a good knowledge of core A-level pure mathematics. We do not require prior knowledge of statistics, applied mathematics or computing, as these are taught from scratch.
Mathematics modules include topics such as:
Examples of combined degree modules:
You will receive a firm grounding in a broad range of topics, and imaginative use is made of computer algebra systems, statistical packages and other software. During this year, it is possible to transfer between Mathematics and Mathematics with Statistics.
In Year 2, all programmes provide essential foundations for later specialisation in various directions. Some degree programmes allow for choice between modules. Both theory and applications are covered, and your transferable skills are sharpened through solving problems and analysing data, using both specialist and general software.
Mathematics modules include topics such as:
Examples of combined degree modules:
Professional Training placements are an option for you, whichever programme you choose to take. Sandwiched between Years 2 and 3 (except in programme G100, where the professional placement is fully integrated in Year 3), it provides an opportunity for you to enhance your academic studies, with practical experience augmenting your knowledge and skills.
We have excellent links with an extensive portfolio of companies and 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.
In Year 3 (final year for BSc programmes), the emphasis is on specialising to suit your particular degree programmes and personal interests by combining modules from mathematics, statistics, computing, economics, physics and music as appropriate. For all BSc programmes, a project is one of the final-year options, as well as a Mathematics Education module with hands-on classroom experience.
Mathematics modules include topics such as:
Examples of combined degree modules:
All our degree programmes are recognised by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications. Satisfactory performance in certain modules of the Financial Mathematics programme may lead to exemption from some of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries’ professional examinations.
Mathematicians are in demand in many areas of business and industry. The work which students 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 or solving heat transfer and aerodynamic problems encountered in the atomic energy and aerospace fields.
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 the first year, so a decision made when you apply can be changed later.
Teaching is by a mixture of lectures, tutorials and computer laboratory sessions. Contact hours range from about 16 per week during Year 1 to about 12 per week during the final year. In Year 1, 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 1,200 hours of study time, with contact hours occupying between a third and a quarter of this. The remaining time is used for 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 and enlivens the learning experience.
In Year 1, performance is assessed through tests in each module and formal examinations at the end of each semester. In all other years, 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 will allow you to gauge your progress and to make an informed choice of optional modules.
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.
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 also give you a solid foundation from which to pursue further study in mathematics or scientific research. Around a quarter of our recent graduates have gone into postgraduate education, either to obtain a teaching qualification or to read for a higher degree, such as an MSc or PhD.
Graduates over the last few years entered employment in roles such as:
Come to one of our Open Days, when you can tour the campus, speak to students and academic staff, see our student accommodation and ask as many questions as you like. In the meantime, order a personal prospectus – tailored to only include the subjects that interest you.
GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade C or above (or equivalent). Grade A in A-level Mathematics is required for all programmes. For Mathematics with Music, grade A in A-level Music is required, with grade 8 ABRSM award (or equivalent) required for the performance stream.
Offers are normally made in terms of grades. Suitable candidates may be invited to an Applicant Day. During the visit to the University the candidate can find out more about the programme and meet staff and students.
Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 6.5 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill (or equivalent).
We offer intensive English language pre-sessional courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
| Award | Course Length | Professional Training | UCAS code | KIS code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) | 3 years | G1W3 | View KIS data set | |
| BSc (Hons) | 4 years | G1WH | View KIS data set |
We offer a range of bursaries, scholarships and other financial support.
See course information for students applying to start in September 2013.
Maths student Holly Wade and Electronic Engineering student Linda Igboanugo talk about their Professional Training Placement work on London 2012
Phone: +44 (0)1483 681 681
