I realised that Surrey was the leading university when it comes to Professional Training.
I’m extremely grateful I made the decision to come here. While an increasing number of universities offer a similar opportunity, in my opinion Surrey is the best in that it provides a lot of help in finding a placement and has an excellent relationship with many companies.
Surrey is one of the UK's leading universities for Mathematics and Music, with our programmes ranked top five by the Guardian University Guide 2018.
Our innovative Mathematics with Music programme – consisting of one-quarter music and three-quarters mathematics – enables you to study both subjects at degree level. Taught by renowned academics across both subject areas, the course allows you to take core modules offered on our other Mathematics programmes while pursuing your passion for composing or performing.
At Surrey we aim to make our programmes as flexible as possible, meeting the needs of the individuals who apply. This programme will give you a thorough grounding in the key theories and techniques that underlie modern pure and applied mathematics, equipping you for a variety of rewarding careers.
Within the music side of the course, you can choose between a performance or composition stream. Composers will study a wide range of contemporary repertoire and learn to interact confidently with performers of their music, while performers will be able to take advantage of opportunities within the University’s School of Arts.
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specification documents which include further details such as the learning outcomes. Please be aware that these specifications are applicable to the current academic year.
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability and/or student demand.
Many of our students opt to do a Professional Training placement. These normally begin at the end of the second academic year and finish in time for you to begin the third year of study.
Professional Training placements offer students the opportunity to gain access to the world of work, including meeting employers, developing job search skills and acquiring the employability skills that employers look for. Find out more about Professional Training placements.
All our degree programmes are recognised by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA).
Teaching is delivered through a mixture of lectures, seminars and computer laboratory sessions. In Year 1, you will have regular small group seminars for each Mathematics module to reinforce the material covered.
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.
Discover more about our academic staff in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Science.
Modules are assessed individually and credits are awarded for the successful completion of each one. Assessment takes place through a combination of examination and/or coursework, practical examinations and reports.
From these assessments, as well as from informal assignments, you will receive regular feedback that will allow you to gauge your progress and make an informed choice of optional modules.
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's Module Catalogue. See the programme structure section for more information.
You are allocated a personal tutor to guide you through the programme and advise on your option choices and future career, helping you to get the most out of your time at Surrey.
We give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their degrees by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities or by completing a Professional Training placement abroad. In addition to the hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience, time spent abroad adds a distinctive element to your CV. To check where you can go, visit our Global Exchanges pages.
You have the option of spending one or two semesters abroad in your second year at one of our partner universities, including:
International experiences expose you to a new cultural environment that develops your adaptation and communication skills and also your ability to deal with unfamiliar situations, thus strengthening your academic and professional profile.
We are very proud of our track record for graduate employability. One of the main reasons for our graduate employability success is our Professional Training placement programme which is one of the largest in the World, with over 2,300 partner organisations in the UK and overseas. To find out more visit our Careers and Professional Training pages.
Mathematicians are in demand in many areas of business and industry, and this breadth is reflected in the Professional Training placements that students can undertake as part of their course.
You might choose to gain experience in financial services - including banking and insurance - computer programming or logistics; you might even be involved in an internet startup.
On placement, you will be visited periodically by an academic member of staff who will track your progress and help ensure that you have a successful experience.
Transfer between programmes which do or do not include a Professional Training placement is possible during the first year, so a decision made on this when you apply can be changed later.
Professional Training placements are an option for you, whichever programme you choose to take. Placements provide you with an opportunity 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, including:
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 financerelated 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:
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.
Recent graduates have entered employment in roles such as:
Offers are normally made in terms of grades. Suitable candidates will be invited to an Applicant Day.
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each element.
Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre.
| Qualification | 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 |
View a complete listing of all ongoing fees for our undergraduate programmes.
The University will assess your fee status. If you are unsure whether you are likely to be considered a home, EU or overseas student for fees purposes, the UKCISA website offers more information.
Programmes marked with a tick in the table above include a Professional Training placement.
A reduced fee is charged for Professional Training placements.
Fees will not have to be paid up front for those eligible students who decide to take up the Government's loan for higher education fees. The Professional Training placement is a key factor in the high employability rates achieved by students with Surrey degrees.
We're committed to making sure that we offer support for students who might need it.
Experienced staff in our International Student Office are available to help from the moment you consider studying at the University. We offer professional advice on immigration, visa issues, entry qualifications, pre-departure information, employment regulations and international student welfare.
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability and/or student demand.
The Department of Music and Media runs a variety of musical ensembles including an orchestra, choir and chamber choir. You could also join one of the Students' Union arts societies such as the musical theatre society, big band or gospel choir.
“My confidence increased tenfold during my Professional Training year and I’ve become much more driven, which has led to an improved work ethic for my final year.”
Find out how to write a personal statement that will help your application stand out.
Final-year students gave Surrey an overall satisfaction rating of 90 per cent in the 2016 National Student Survey.
"While an increasing number of universities offer a similar opportunity, in my opinion Surrey is the best in that it provides a lot of help in finding a placement and has an excellent relationship with many companies."
Two Surrey mathematicians swapped University life for a stint of stand-up comedy at the legendary Edinburgh Fringe Festival, describing it as a terrifying – but exhilarating – experience.
Promoting networking and discussion between undergraduates from universities across the UK.
“You know you’ll get amazing opportunities when you come to Surrey”
The University of Surrey is particularly well blessed for music and sound-recording facilities, including studios, rehearsal spaces and several venues for public performances.
