Mathematics

Leicester is a leading centre for pure and applied mathematics with 97% of our research activity being identified as world-leading, internationally excellent or internationally significant.

Full entry requirements

Mathematics at Leicester

Our various degrees are built around a common core of modules in mathematics that take up two-thirds of a student’s time in the first year.

What the other third contains will depend upon the degree choice – economics and finance modules in the Financial Mathematics, Mathematics with Economics, or Mathematics and Actuarial Science degrees, and management in the Mathematics with Management degree. Students on straight mathematics degrees can opt to do further mathematics modules or a supplementary subject from elsewhere in the University, including computing.

The BA degree allows a choice of supplementary modules and, in particular, allows a modern language supplementary to be continued into the second year. This structure allows a fair degree of flexibility, and transfers between our degrees are usually possible – in particular it is possible to move onto the MMath degrees from the BSc (subject to examination performance), or conversely from the MMath to the BSc. It is usually possible to transfer into or out of the Europe and the USA degrees.

Why Choose Mathematics at Leicester?

Places: 130
Applications: 1313
Example Jobs: Actuarial Analyst; Business Support Officer; Catastrophe Modeller; Chartered Accountant; Circulation Executive; Client Services Associate; Graduate Data Analyst; Junior Claims Specialist; Secondary Maths Teacher; Software Engineer; Software Tester.
Example Employers: Barclays – SPN Group; Bluefin; Coutts; Delta Rail; Fidelity International; IPC Media; Macintyre Hudson; Meta Pack; RBS Insurance; Uniqury.
Example Postgraduate Courses: MSc Actuarial Science; MSc Applied Mathematics; MSc Economics; MSc Environmental Modelling; MSc Medical Statistics; PhD Astrophysics.
Example jobs and employers information comes from the University’s ‘Where Did They Go?’ survey, and shows destinations of 2010/11 graduates 6 months after graduation.

Our research is at the forefront of current mathematical thinking, and the department has a strong international reputation for innovation and leadership in a number of research areas, including algebra, topology, geometry, dynamical systems, numerical analysis, scientific computing, mathematical biology and financial mathematics. Our internationally acclaimed research informs all our degree programmes, which means as a Leicester student you will be in touch with the latest developments and applications of mathematics taught by experts in their field. We are a friendly and supportive department with a strong reputation for the quality of our teaching based on the feedback received from our students. As well as the regular teaching sessions we offer a range of additional ‘drop-in’ learning opportunities run by both staff and fellow students, which enhances your learning experience. Often these sessions are tailored to develop the skills required by employers, making sure your degree is both academic and career focused.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Our philosophy is to provide a strong core of key mathematical topics in the first and second years leading into a range of options in the third and fourth years. This allows you to develop your own particular interests in mathematics as you progress. As well as lectures, our courses involve regular group meetings, run by both staff and other students, where students’ work is discussed. In the first year this is in small tutorial groups, whilst later in the course larger mathematical problem classes are held. During these sessions we encourage all students to become comfortable with presenting mathematical arguments to their group, which enhances and develops your presentation and communication skills. Mathematical software such as Maple and Matlab is introduced into the teaching early in the first year through computer laboratory classes and further developed in later years. Strong computational skills ensure students are well prepared for the job market.

You will have access to the University-wide computer system and are encouraged to use its facilities in your work. No previous knowledge of computing is needed for any of our degrees.

All our courses involve a degree of coursework assessment. In the first year this will be 30% or 40% coming from the weekly mathematical problems, on other courses a larger part may be played by continuous assessment, for instance on projects and workshop based courses where it may provide 100% of the assessment.

A typical week for a first or second year student might consist of 9-10 hours of lectures, 3-5 hours of small group working and 2-4 hours of problem classes or computer classes. In later years classes may become smaller or fewer as you start to specialise in particular areas of interest and undertake project work. In addition you are expected to spend several hours a week on private study; this is time spent on problem solving, additional reading and preparing for tutorials.

Course Opportunities

Study Abroad

If you choose to undertake a Europe degree, you will spend the third year of your studies at a European university under the Erasmus exchange scheme before returning to Leicester to complete the final year of your degree course. Our partner universities are in Copenhagen, Denmark; Hamburg, Germany; Pavia, Italy, INSA Toulouse, France and Athens, Greece. You will receive an Erasmus grant (€372 per month for 2011/12) and language training. Results obtained during the year in Europe do not count towards your final degree classification, but the experience offers you an invaluable opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge whilst studying in a different culture. Many organisations have an international scope so knowledge of a foreign language and a global outlook can also give you a vital edge in the graduate jobs market. If you choose to undertake a USA degree you will spend your second year at our partner universities in Buffalo, NY , Miami, FL or Kent State University, IN. On returning to Leicester you enter the third year of our degree course. Results obtained in the USA are converted in a standard way to contribute to your final degree classification.

Courses with Industry

Our Mathematics with Management degree gives you the option of spending a year in a sponsoring company, industry or organisation. This is a sandwich course where you will be working with a sponsoring company for one year between the end of the second year and the start of the third year. This opportunity can give you first-hand experience of working in a mathematics-related career, enhances your employability skills and allows you to network with people in industry.

Skills Gained

The courses are designed to enable you to develop your mathematical abilities, including solving mathematical problems, understanding mathematical processes and the presentation of mathematical ideas in verbal and written form. You will see modern mathematical ideas and learn to use mathematical software. You will develop logical reasoning and mathematical writing skills, together with independent study skills and familiarity with IT.

In addition, our joint degrees have their own particular contributions to make; how to use mathematics in the world of management, or how to model the financial world (economics). As part of some final year projects you will have the opportunity to develop your business skills through a series of employer led workshops, networking events, business games and working with employers to solve real industry problems.

Career Opportunities

Our graduates are equipped for a wide range of careers and have gone into the financial sector, including accountancy and actuarial work, management, the Civil Service, industry and teaching (both primary and secondary education). All our courses, but particularly the MMath degrees, provide a suitable preparation for postgraduate study in mathematics, computer science and related areas.

Employability skills are embedded into our teaching throughout your studies so you’ll be exposed to the skills employers are looking for right from the start of your course. This is pulled together in your final year through a series of optional project modules. For example, the Business Applications of Mathematics module gives you the opportunity to experience the application of mathematical theory and mathematical modelling in a business context, where problems are often not clearly defined and do not fall into obvious categories. You reflect on the transferable skills you are developing whilst working through the case studies and are encouraged to consider how you can evidence these in the recruitment and selection process for graduate employment. This level of employer interaction in the final year of your studies will ensure you are well prepared for employment and know what employers are seeking.

Full entry requirements

Opportunities to Visit and Further Information

Choosing where and what to study at university is an important decision for you. We believe it is important to give you the opportunity to talk to us, so you can find out whether our programmes are the right choice for you.

For further information, please contact the Admissions Tutor:

Dr Dimitrina Stavrova

0116 252 3896
Fax: 0116 252 3915
mathsug@le.ac.uk
www.le.ac.uk/maths

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