Mathematics

This is a Connected Degree
Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course.

Overview
Mathematics has shaped societies for thousands of years – from the Ancient Babylonians to the present day. Continue the tradition of unpicking complex mathematical problems that could help monitor the spread of disease, predict the route of a cloud of ash from a volcano and forecast climate change.

Study core mathematical topics including analysis, algebra, calculus, statistics, operational research and modelling. Then shape your degree to your ambitions and interests in following years, by specialising in advanced principles such as financial modelling, non-linear dynamics and cosmology.

When you graduate, you’ll be in high demand, especially in the expanding technology, data and machine learning industries.

Course highlights

- Delve into topics including deterministic chaos, partial differential equations, health research and abstract algebra

- Learn from expert researchers such as Dr. Michael Gnacik, who provided data visualisation for the University's Covid testing programme as member of the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation's Covid Response Team

- Develop coding skills in programming languages including Python

- Learn to use industry-standard mathematical, statistical and operational research software

- Apply your skills on optional work placements in the community, such as assisting math teachers in local schools

Careers and opportunities
Mathematics is more than just number crunching.

A degree in mathematics shows that you have the ability to think analytically and conveys an intellectual maturity that many employers look for when they hire staff.

The demand for mathematics graduates is increasing too. The Council for the Mathematical Sciences predicts more than 7 million people in the UK will need mathematical science skills in 2030 – an increase of 900,000 compared to 2009.

Our graduates now work in roles including:

- research analyst

- service reliability engineer

- accountant

- mathematics teacher

- credit risk analyst

- data scientist

- accounts payable clerk

- service reliability engineer

Our graduates have worked for companies such as:
- NATS (National Air Traffic Services)

- TSB

- Oakbrook Finance Ltd

- NHS

- Carnival UK

- The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association

- Portsmouth Grammar School

Placements (optional)
After your second year, you can do an optional work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience in the industry.

A placement year gives you an advantage over other graduates who may understand theory but won't have the experience of applying their learning to a working environment. We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your aspirations, and you’ll get mentoring and support throughout the year.

Previous students have taken placement roles such as:

- innovation and infrastructure specialist

- counter terrorism and security

- student research analyst

They've completed placements at organisations including:

- IBM

- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

- British Telecom