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Your learning experience

We take an interactive approach to teaching and learning. We nurture an ambitious and supportive environment in which you can maximise your potential.

You'll benefit from varied teaching and assessment methods that will advance your skills and knowledge, and play to your strengths.

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Our teaching methods

Lectures and small-group tutorials

Your lectures will be supported by small-group tutorials, where you can have one-to-one discussions with the staff member and PhD students facilitating the session.

Academic tutorials

In the first year, we support all of our teaching with tutorials. These are hour-long sessions in which each academic tutor meets with around six students.  

As a group you will tackle one or two questions on topics from subjects such as differential equations, the foundations of mathematics and probability.

Peer-assisted learning

We offer peer-assisted learning (PAL) during your first year. This is where our final-year students provide optional additional support sessions.

They will help you to solidify your understanding of the core mathematical topics. Evidence from universities around the world that actively encourage peer-assisted learning shows huge benefits for students involved.

Drop-in sessions

Our staff have weekly drop-in sessions, and open-door policies, so help is never far away if you have questions.

Lab sessions

You will spend time in PC labs learning how to programme software that's used on a daily basis by mathematicians in industry and our research staff.

Exciting work placement opportunities

Choosing to undertake a placement enables you to gain experience of working in industry as part of your degree. We offer a range of placement opportunities, as well as advice and support on applying for placements, with all our mathematics degree courses.

"I have made a network of contacts and gained valuable experience that’s directly related to my course – making the third year slightly easier, and I’m even more employable than I was!"

Sophie Parker, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), statistician placement

Enhance your employability with work placements

When you study with us, you'll have the opportunity to seek out placements in order to enhance your work-related skills. Placements also enable you to develop a network of professional contacts, as well as strengthening your career prospects.

We have a dedicated Placements Team who will support you to find opportunities that align with your interests and goals. They'll also advise you on job applications, your CV and improving your interview and assessment centre skills.

"The process of finding an industrial placement can be extremely tough, but with hard work comes great reward. Completing a placement year has genuinely changed my life. I am thoroughly grateful that the University encouraged me to do one and I encourage all future students to do the same.”

Francesca Stranders, BSc Mathematics with a Placement Year

Read Francesca's story

Professional Placement Year

All our degree courses give you the option to include a paid year in industry between your second and third years of study. 

Placement opportunities that have been advertised in the past include positions in:

  • business research
  • logistics
  • finance
  • medicine and health
  • technology
  • market intelligence
  • aerospace engineering
  • insurance and risk
  • the civil service.

 

Short-term and summer placements

We encourage all our students to gain relevant work experience between academic terms. As with the Professional Placement Year, we provide dedicated support throughout all aspects of the placement search and application process. 

Work shadowing

In your first year, you can benefit from our work shadowing programme. This is when you trial a placement for one day, observing either a year placement student or recent graduate at work. This allows you to gain real-world experience and learn more about the skills required for a role and organisation. You'll also find out how the mathematical knowledge you gain during your degree enhances your employability.

Volunteering

There are also opportunities to gain valuable experience by volunteering while you study with us. For example, the Students in Schools scheme gives you the chance to assist teachers in schools, with the aim of raising the aspirations of school students and encouraging them to consider higher education.

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Why study with us?

Tailor your mathematics degree to your interests with our range of optional modules. Gain real-world experience with our volunteering and summer placement opportunities, or choose to spend a year in industry. 

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Life in the Department

You'll study in a supportive learning environment and build close staff-student relationships. We'll help you maximise your potential and achieve your personal and academic goals.

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Our research

98% of our research is world leading or internationally excellent and 100% of our research impact has been classed ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ (Research Excellence Framework 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Mathematical Sciences).

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Athena SWAN Silver Award