Mathematics with Music BSc (Hons) – 2019 entry

Why choose this course

Surrey is one of the UK's leading universities for mathematics and music, with our programmes in music ranked 2nd by the Guardian University Guide 2019.

Our innovative BSc Mathematics with Music course – 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.

What you will study

At Surrey we aim to make our courses as flexible as possible, meeting the needs of the individuals who apply. This course is one-quarter music and three-quarters mathematics.

It will give you a thorough grounding in the key theories of and techniques for 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 arts and music scene.

Professional Training placements

As part of this course you have the option to complete a Professional Training placement. These will give you the opportunity to develop your professional, academic and personal potential, equipping you to be adaptable, resilient, globally minded, confident, entrepreneurial and digitally savvy in the workplace. These qualities are widely recognised by employers and a significant proportion of placement students at Surrey are offered graduate-level jobs or go onto postgraduate study.

Find out more about Professional Training placements and discover how these have transformed our students’ lives and career choices.

Mathematics with Music placements

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 start­-up.

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:

• BAE Systems
• Deloitte
• Intel
• AXA Actuarial
• Lloyds TSB
• GlaxoSmithKline
• Office for National Statistics
• NHS
• Department of Transport
• HM Revenue and Customs.

Applying for placements

Professional Training placements are usually applied for and secured via an open and free-to-all process, within which students can select and apply for numerous opportunities. Placement providers use their own recruitment and selection procedures and the majority of students will secure their placement in this way. However, support is also provided to students wishing to source their own placement, subject to university requirements being met.

Students are generally not placed by the University, however they are given thorough support and guidance alongside access to a vacancy portal representing thousands of placement opportunities each year. Please be aware there may be travel costs incurred when attending interviews and assessment centres at the placement provider’s premises.

Professional recognition

BSc (Hons) - Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA)
This programme will meet the educational requirements of the Chartered Mathematician designation, awarded by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, when it is followed by subsequent training and experience in employment to obtain equivalent competences to those specified by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for taught masters degrees.

Careers and graduate prospects

We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.

A degree in mathematics opens up a wide range of careers. 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 in the UK and further afield.

Recent graduates have entered employment in roles such as:

• Operational Research Graduate, British Airways
• Secondary Mathematics Teacher, Oxford University PGCE
• Manager Research Analyst, Barnett Waddingham LLP
• Cyber Security Expert, IBM
• Graduate Trainee Tech Risk, KPMG
• Graduate Banking Scheme, Lloyds Banking Group
• Digital Operations Executive, RMP Enterprise.

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 study for a higher degree, such as an MSc or PhD.

Study and work abroad

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. Visit our global exchanges pages to check where you can go.

You have the option of spending one or two semesters abroad in your second year at one of our partner universities, including:

• Brock University, Canada
• California State University, US
• George Mason University, US
• Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
• North Carolina State University, US
• Texas Tech University, US
• University of Central Florida, US
• University of Cincinnati, US
• University of North Texas, US
• University of Queensland, Australia
• University of Sydney, Australia
• University of Virginia, US

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.