BSc Mathematics with Finance
Please note: This page is for 2027 entry. Click here for 2026 entry.
| UCAS code | G1N3 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 years |
| Entry year | 2027 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Typical offer | A level: AAA-AAB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: ABB-ABC |
| UCAS code | G2N7 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2027 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Typical offer | A levels: AAA-AAB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: ABB-ABC |
Why study BSc Mathematics with Finance at Exeter?
- Taught in partnership between Exeter’s Mathematics department and The University of Exeter’s triple-accredited Business School
- Provides invaluable mathematics skills alongside a theoretical background in finance
- Introduces advanced financial techniques such as derivatives pricing, risk management and portfolio management
- Gives you an understanding of financial reporting and management accounting in a market economy
- Opportunity to extend your degree and spend a ‘Year in Industry’ at companies such as Lloyds Banking Group, Coca-Cola, Met Office and PwC
Discover Mathematics at the University of Exeter.
Taught in partnership with the University’s triple-accredited Business School
Top 20 in the UK for Mathematics
20th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 and the Complete University Guide 2027
92% of Mathematics graduates in or due to start employment or further study fifteen months after graduation
Based on full-time, first degree, UK domiciled graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes survey 2021/22
Spend a year in industry as part of your degree
We are proud to be a partner of the CQF Institute - a globally recognised body supporting education in finance and quantitative finance. Our students benefit from free membership to the CQF Institute, which includes:
- Access to exclusive resources such as events, research publications, career tools, and workshops.
- A 30% discount on CQF programme fees for full-time students and graduates.
- Industry insights, networking opportunities, and thought leadership content to enhance employability.
Entry requirements (typical offer)
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| A-Level | AAA-AAB | GCE A-Level Maths grade A Candidates may offer GCE A-Level Maths, Pure Maths or Further Maths. |
| IB | 36/666-34/665 | HL6 in Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches) |
| BTEC | DDD | Applicants studying a BTEC Extended Diploma are also required to achieve grade A at A' Level in Mathematics, Pure Mathematics or Further Mathematics. |
| GCSE | 4 or C | Grade 4/C in GCSE English language |
| Access to HE | 30 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade | 15 L3 credits at Distinction Grade in an acceptable Mathematics subject area |
| T-Level | T-Levels not accepted | N/A |
| Contextual Offer | A-Level: ABB-ABC |
Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers. |
| Other accepted qualifications | ||
| English language requirements |
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B1. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country. |
|
NB General Studies is not included in any offer.
Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply
International Foundation programmes
Prepare for entry to Year 1 of an undergraduate degree with the Exeter International Foundation course.
Course content
In your first year, in addition to core modules in Mathematics, you’ll learn about the operation of financial markets and gain an understanding of the role of economics in business and in public and private decision-making.
In your second year you’ll study core modules in Finance, gaining a deeper understanding of the tools used in microeconomic analysis. You’ll also have the opportunity to choose from several optional modules in Mathematics, on topics such as Vector Calculus and Algebra.
In your final year you’ll learn about the theory of decision-making, as well as having the freedom to choose modules in Mathematics from across the department. 30 credits may be chosen from outside the areas of mathematics and accounting.
You may notice changes to some of our modules over the coming months. This is because we are making space for the following:
- Minors: Future Skills Pathways - Alongside your main degree you may be eligible (depending on your course) to choose modules from another subject to broaden your skills and interests.
- Skills to Thrive built into every degree - Essential skills for your future, including communication, problem-solving, teamwork and digital confidence.
- Increased innovation and wellbeing - More room for creative learning, real-world projects and a healthier study rhythm.
The modules below provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
120 credits of compulsory modules
You can select 15 credits of modules from Stage 1 in the Business School - please see the Business School modules for further information.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Introduction to Finance | 15 | |
| Economics I | 15 | |
| Economics II | 15 | |
| Foundations | 0 | |
| Mathematical Structures | 30 | |
| Mathematical Methods | 30 | |
BEE1006: Introduction to Finance
Summary:
This module should appeal to students who wish to obtain a better understanding of financial markets and are interested in further study/career in finance. Topics covered include the role of stock and bond markets and the mechanics of investment, principles of investment, and the present value model of investment.
Additional Information:
Internationalisation
This is a highly practical module applicable across the globe. The tools (e.g., present value of cash flows) that are taught in this module can be used to evaluate investment opportunities anywhere in the world.
Sustainability
Lecture notes and other resources are available online on ELE (Exeter Learning Environment). The tools and analytical frameworks discussed in this framework are good starting points for students interested in green finance.
Employability
The skills students learn in this module are directly transferable to employment. Present value can be used to evaluate any type of investment (e.g., stock, bonds, or new projects). Through this module, students can also have better understandings of the financial markets (mainly bond and stock markets). These skills are relevant for jobs in corporate finance, consulting companies, investment banks and many other industries. This module also provides a good starting point for students interested in taking CFA Level I and CFA II exams.
BEE1036: Economics I
This module provides the introduction to economics for undergraduates in the Department of Economics. It puts the student at the centre of pedagogy using learning materials and experiences attuned both to the societal problems that students care about and to how students acquire facility and confidence in using and communicating economics. Digital technology and interactive teaching methods will introduce students to an empirical discipline. Students will learn to use evidence from history, experiments and other data sources to test competing explanations and policies. It introduces the characteristics of economies using historical and cross-country comparisons across the major dimensions of economic performance (growth, inequality, stability). By taking the main economic actors and showing how they make decisions, the module covers behaviour in goods, labour and credit markets, highlighting the role of the rules of the game (institutions), and showing the sources of market successes and market failures. Behaviour of households and firms is analysed in the economy, along with that of fiscal and monetary policy makers.
BEE1037: Economics II
This module continues to provide the introduction to economics for undergraduates started in the module Economics I. It introduces the characteristics of economies using historical and cross-country comparisons across the major dimensions of economic performance (growth, inequality, stability).
By taking the main economic actors and showing how they make decisions, the course covers behaviour in goods, labour and credit markets, highlighting the role of the rules of the game (institutions), and showing the sources of market successes and market failures. Behaviour of households and firms is analysed in the economy as a whole, along with that of fiscal and monetary policy makers .
This module aims to provide students with a basic understanding of economics, and to apply this way of thinking to real world problems. It aims to help students understand the world around them, become more astute participants in the Economy and Society and help them understand Economic Policy so that they can better judge the decisions affecting the allocation of their society's resources.
MTH1000: Foundations
University level mathematics differs from that taught in schools not only in the difficulty of the topics and higher abstraction, but also in the style of teaching. This module aims to ease the transition to university level mathematics by bridging the gap between mathematics taught prior to university level, and the material covered in the first year of our mathematics degree, including the programming languages which will be taught in depth in other modules. The module eases you into a university teaching and learning environment and helps revise material from A-level. You will revisit essential skills in algebra, coordinate geometry, vectors, series and sequences, as well as some topics which are covered in Further Mathematics A-level such as complex numbers, matrix algebra, differential equations, and Maclaurin series. In this module, you will go over the theory and see many solved examples, as well as practice many examples to master these essential topics. Attending the lectures of this module is highly recommended to those students who do not have an A-level in Further Mathematics or equivalent, but those who do can also utilise these sessions to review the material and gain more practise experience. This module will also provide the skills needed to communicate mathematics which is a vital skill in all modules to be taken throughout a mathematics course.
MTH1001: Mathematical Structures
A key aspect of mathematics is its ability to unify and generalise disparate situations exhibiting similar properties by developing the concepts and language to describe the common features abstractly and reason about them rigorously. In this module, you will be introduced to the language of logic, sets, and functions which underpins of all modern pure mathematics, and will learn how to use it to construct clear and logically correct mathematical proofs. The content goes beyond mathematics taught at A-level: you will learn and use methods to prove rigorous general results about the convergence of sequences and series, justifying the techniques developed in MTH1002 and laying the foundations for a deeper study of Analysis in MTH2008. You will also learn the definitions and properties of abstract algebraic structures such as groups and vector spaces. These ideas are developed further in MTH2010 and MTH2011. The material in this module is fundamental to many other modules in the mathematics degree programmes. It underpins the topics you will see in more advanced modules in fundemental mathematics and enables a deeper understanding and rigorous justification of the mathematical tools you will meet in more applied mathematics modules and which are widely used in physics, economics, and many other disciplines.
MTH1002: Mathematical Methods
During your mathematics degree, you will be solving problems and proving theories in several branches of mathematics such as in pure mathematics, in applications to science and engineering, and in statistics. Inevitably you need to be able to calculate. That is what gives the mathematics its great power. This module covers developed bodies of useful techniques as a toolkit of common knowledge. It brings emphasis on the techniques rather than the applications of the techniques. Such techniques will enable you to deepen your familiarity with, and generalise, methods that you have seen at school level mathematics. This module will study topics that include the geometry of conic sections, properties of functions such as continuity and differentiability, differential and integral calculus, limits and convergence of sequences and series including Power Series and Taylor Series. The module also develops the fundamentals of vector and matrix theory, multivariate calculus, and the classification of various types of differential equations as well as analytical methods for solving them. The material in this module provide intuition for, and examples of, many of the mathematical structures that will be discussed in the module MTH1001 Mathematical Structures, and supply a firm understanding of methods required in future modules in the mathematics degree. In particular, it develops methods that underpin the modules MTH2003 Differential Equations and MTH2004 Vector Calculus and Applications.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
45 credits of compulsory modules, 75 credits of optional modules.
You may take up to 30 credits of free choice modules. You may choose MTH1004 Probability, Statistics and Data as your free choice.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Microeconomics II | 30 | |
| Financial Markets and Decisions I | 15 | |
BEE2025: Microeconomics II
The module is designed to equip you with the key microeconomic principles necessary for the analysis of a range of basic economic problems and policies. The module builds on first-year microeconomics and aims to both deepen and widen your formal knowledge of economic theory and its application. It seeks, in particular, to increase your abilities to, independently, pose and solve economic questions, especially those relating to policy issues. It emphasizes the fundamental conceptual foundations in microeconomics and provides concrete examples of their applications.
Internationalisation
Microeconomics is relevant across countries as it is based on mathematical models,
Sustainability
All of the resources for this module are available on the ELE (Exeter learning Environment).
Employability
This module equips you with logical thinking, numeracy and writing skills, as well as an understanding and theoretical knowledge of economic issues. These help you think like economists, a quality highly valued by employers.
BEE2027: Financial Markets and Decisions I
This course is the first in a two-part series on the economics of finance. The pair of modules BEE2027 and BEE3034 present the theory of decision-making under risk and the economics of information, discussing applications of the theory in the areas of banking and finance.
This module, Financial Markets and Decisions I is divided in two parts:
- the first part deals individual decision making over time and under uncertainty.
- the second part links individual behaviour to financial markets and equilibrium, including risky assets, micro-foundations of CAPM, and the efficient market hypothesis.
The module will also include an introduction to behavioural finance.
Internationalisation
The module content is globally relevant as it discusses financial markets theoretically, international trends in asset pricing models used by the majority of firms, and comparative studies through up-to-date research.
Employability
You will acquire several skills valued by employers, including a theoretical knowledge, and understanding of financial markets, the application of theory, the ability to think like an economist, and designing firm level policies
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Optional 1 | ||
| Differential Equations | 15 | |
| Vector Calculus and Applications | 15 | |
| Real Analysis | 15 | |
| Complex Analysis | 15 | |
| Groups, Rings and Fields | 15 | |
| Linear Algebra | 15 | |
MTH2003: Differential Equations
Differential equations are at the heart of nearly all modern applications of mathematics to natural and man-made phenomena. Mathematically, all rates of change and acceleration can be described by derivative functions. These include the growth of populations, the spread of diseases, movement of physical objects in response to forces acting on them, or even the fluctuations of the stock market. This course will enable you to demonstrate an understanding of, and competence in, a range of analytical tools for posing and solving differential equations, and their application to situations in science and technology.
MTH2004: Vector Calculus and Applications
This module introduces vector calculus and its applications in particular fluid dynamics and electromagnetism. The module consists of two parts, which are closely linked. In the first part of the module, you will learn about the mathematical theory and techniques of vector calculus. You will develop your competence in using vector calculus in both differential and integral forms. The second part of the module gives an introduction to fluid dynamics and electromagnetism as two applications of vector calculus. It lays down some basic principles using a number of simplifying assumptions.
This introductory vector calculus course aims to increase your understanding of fluid dynamics and electromagnetism. It examines how one can use vector formalism and calculus together to describe and solve many problems in two and three dimensions. For example, the rules that govern the flow of fluids can be described using vector calculus, with resulting laws of motion described by partial differential equations rather than ordinary differential equations.
MTH2008: Real Analysis
Description – summary of the module content
Infinite processes appear naturally in many contexts, from science and engineering to economics. From solving the equation that finds the wave function of a quantum system in physics, processing sensor data in engineering, to calculating prices for options in economics, at the foundation of all of these are infinite processes and the pure mathematics developed to rigorously and correctly handle these processes. That field of pure mathematics is called analysis, and the central object of study in analysis is that if a limit, which further extends to the notions of convergence, continuity, differentiation and integrability.
In this module, you will be introduced to the pioneering work of Cauchy, Riemann and many other notable mathematicians. By building on material from MTH1001 and MTH1002, we will carefully and rigorously develop how to handle real-variable differentiation, Riemann integration, power series, and basic notions of point set topology.
The material in this module is a prerequisite for the study of Complex Analysis (MTH2009) Topology and Metric Spaces (MTH3040) and Fractal Geometry (MTHM004). It is also recommended for those studying Dynamical Systems and Chaos (MTHM018), and is the basis for applications in economics, engineering and physics.
Pre-requisite modules
MTH1001 and MTH1002 (or equivalent)
Aims – intentions of the module
MTH2009: Complex Analysis
The central object of study in analysis is the notion of a limit and related concepts of convergence, continuity, differentiation, and integration.
The objective of this module is to provide you with a rigorous introduction to complex analysis. We will carefully develop an understanding of the analysis of functions of a complex variable, and prove the central theorems governing the differentiation and integration of such functions. You will learn how to handle power series, singularities and contour integration, and see how to apply these to solve a wide range of problems. Quite surprisingly, complex analysis turns out to be a great deal more rigid, and more algebraic, than real analysis, and has many practical applications.
The material in this module has close links with Vector Calculus MTH2004 (although these modules are logically independent), and provides the foundations for further study in a range of subjects, most notably in number theory and geometry.
MTH2010: Groups, Rings and Fields
In this module, you will explore some of the key techniques of modern algebra, including groups, rings, and fields. These topics have their roots in the desire to solve certain equations that arise from arithmetic and geometry.
The most familiar example of a ring is the set of all integers Z=...,-3,-2,-1,0,1,2,3... equipped with the usual operations of addition and multiplication. The familiar properties of these operations serve as a model for the axioms for rings. We can consider whether certain equations have solutions in rings such as the integers. For example, Fermat's Last Theorem famously asserts that if n is a fixed integer that is at least 3, then the equation x^n + y^n = z^n has no solutions for which x, y and z are non-zero integers. Though this problem is easy to state, its solution is extremely difficult: it was first stated in 1637 but the first complete and correct proof was given in 1994. Ring theory is essential for the fourth year module MTHM028 Algebraic Number Theory, which in turn lays the foundations for solving problems such as Fermat's Last Theorem.
Fields are special types of ring in which every non-zero element has a multiplicative inverse. Examples include the rational numbers Q, the real numbers R and the complex numbers C.
MTH2011: Linear Algebra
Abstract vector spaces are important objects in linear algebra, which has its origins in solving linear equations over a field such as the rational, real or complex numbers. The elements of a vector space can be somewhat abstract: for example, they can be functions. However, it is precisely this abstraction that makes the theory of vector spaces such a powerful tool. They arise in almost every area of (pure and applied) mathematics and statistics. For example, PDEs (partial differential equations) of some types are just ODEs (ordinary differential equations) in vector spaces of functions, and numerical and data analysis methods consider vector spaces of increasing dimension to approximate function spaces.
Prerequisite modules: MTH1001and MTH1002 (or equivalent).
This module aims to develop the theories and techniques of modern algebra, particularly in relation to vector spaces and inner product spaces.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
If you choose the ‘with a Year in Industry’ variant of this degree, your placement will take place in the third year of this four year degree. For more information about the ‘with Year in Industry’ programme, please see the course variants.
120 credits of compulsory modules
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Industrial Placement | 120 | |
MTH3100: Industrial Placement
This module will provide you with extensive practical work experience in a business or commercial setting that is of direct relevance to your development as an experienced mathematician. You will apply the knowledge and skills from taught modules to scientific, business or industrial problems at a professional level. You will be encouraged to use imagination and creativity in problem solving and to develop communication skills, planning and time management and team-working skills.
Placements will involve a substantial role in the host organisation. Individual placements are subject to availability and approval by the module leader.
Placements are normally for one year, and must be at least 6 months. International placements are acceptable. It is not required that you are paid a salary for the placement.
This module aims to provide you with the experience of working in science, business or industry in order for you to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in an academic environment to a professional work setting.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
15 credits of compulsory modules, 105 credits of optional modules.
You must select between 15-30 credits from optional Module group 1.
You must select between 60-90 credits from optional Module Group 2.
You may select up to 15 credits from Optional Module Group 3.
You may select up to 30 credits of free choice modules at NQF Level 5 (Stage 2) or NQF Level 6 (Stage 3), which may include further modules from the Business School.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Financial Markets and Decisions 2 | 15 | |
BEE3034: Financial Markets and Decisions 2
The pair of modules BEE2027 and BEE3034 present the theory of decision-making under risk and the economics of information, discussing applications of the theory in the areas of banking and finance. The topics covered include expected utility theory, adverse selection, moral hazard, the Modigliani-Miller theorems and the incentive effects of debt and equity.
Additional Information:
Internationalisation
The module content is globally relevant as it theoretically discusses financial markets, international trends in corporate finance and governance, and comparative studies through up-to-date research.
Employability
Students acquire several skills valued by employers, including a theoretical knowledge and understanding of financial markets, the application of theory, the ability to think like an economist, and designing firm level policies.
The module presents the theory of decision-making under risk and the economics of information and to discuss applications of the theory in the areas of banking and financial markets. The topics covered include expected utility theory, adverse selection, moral hazard, the Modigliani-Miller theorems and the incentive effects of debt and equity.
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Optional 1 | ||
| Commercial and Industrial Experience | 15 | |
| Mathematics Group Project | 15 | |
| Optional 2 | ||
| Theory of Weather and Climate | 15 | |
| Number Theory | 15 | |
| Mathematical Biology and Ecology | 15 | |
| Fluid Dynamics | 15 | |
| Partial Differential Equations | 15 | |
| Applied Differential Geometry | 15 | |
| Mathematics: History and Culture | 15 | |
| Graphs, Networks and Algorithms | 15 | |
| Cryptography | 15 | |
| Mathematics of Climate Change | 15 | |
| Galois Theory | 15 | |
| Topology and Metric Spaces | 15 | |
| Integral Equations | 15 | |
| Dynamical Systems and Chaos | 15 | |
| Optional 3 | ||
| Aerosols, Clouds and Climate | 15 | |
EMP3001: Commercial and Industrial Experience
This module will provide you with an opportunity to undertake practical work experience in a business, commercial or public sector setting that is of direct relevance to your development as an experienced professional. You will apply the knowledge and skills from taught modules to authentic problem solving in the workplace, which will give you important insights into your potential job role once you graduate from university. You will be encouraged to use imagination and creativity in problem solving and to develop communication skills, planning and time management and team-working skills. Placements will involve taking responsibility for a substantial project, which may be a problem to be solved in the host organisation, in line with your degree programme. Placements are subject to availability, approval by the module convener and full compliance with important Health and Safety procedures and requirements. Placements are normally three months some time during May-September, finishing before autumn classes start. Placements must be a minimum of six weeks full time. It is understood that this will entail around 210 hours of supervised work in order to generate the depth of experience equivalent to the 125 hours of self‑directed study on a focused topic specified under the regulations, as workplace activity is not counted directly as academic study International placements are allowed. Placements can be paid or volunteer.
MTH3035: Mathematics Group Project
On this module, you will work in teams of approximately eight, conducting research on a mathematical problem that may be related to a variety of areas. The research will be assessed by report and presentations, and individual contributions and engagement evaluated with input from peers and the project supervisor. You will extensively enhance key skills deemed desirable by employers, such as communication and project management.
This module cannot be taken together with ECM3401.
The module aims to give you an opportunity to: work as part of a team under the tutorage of an expert in a chosen field in preparation for future employability; conduct research on an open mathematical problem; and extensively enhance key skills, such as communication and project management.
NSC3009: Aerosols, Clouds and Climate
Climate change is arguably one of the most urgent issues over the next two decades as humanity struggles to meet the 1.5C above pre-industrial target set by the Paris COP21. Concentrations of both greenhouse gases (GHG) and aerosols (particulate matter suspended in the atmosphere) have increased considerably since pre-industrial time. Whilst anthropogenic emissions of GHG warm the planet, aerosol emissions exert a significant, yet poorly quantified cooling that acts to offset a fraction of global warming from GHG.
Reducing current uncertainties associated with estimates of climate change sensitivity to GHG emissions is hampered by our understanding of the strength of the cooling effect aerosol particles have on the climate via their interactions with clouds and sunlight. Despite decades of research the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Assessment Report continue to highlight our low understanding of aerosol-cloud-interactions (ACI) as the key uncertainty hampering our understanding of climate change.
This module is designed to explore the atmospheric physical processes determining the role of aerosols and their interaction with clouds on the climate to provide insight on the importance in reducing current uncertainties associated with aerosol - cloud - interactions (ACI) for adoption of more robust adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Course variants
BSc Mathematics with Finance with a Year in Industry
UCAS code: G2N3
The BSc Mathematics with Finance with a Year in Industry programme includes an industrial placement which takes place in the third year of this four-year degree.
Your placement will be spent working in an appropriate business or industry related to mathematics, and you will benefit from our established connections with local, national and multinational organisations. As well as increasing your first-hand knowledge, you’ll also improve many personal and transferable skills, making new contacts and enhancing your employability.
Does it count towards my degree?
Yes, it’s worth 120 credits.
How does it affect my tuition fee?
During this year you will pay a reduced tuition fee. Visit the Tuition Fees page for more information.
How do I apply?
You can apply for this programme through UCAS using the code. You can also transfer to the Year in Industry programme from BSc Mathematics with Finance during your first year.
Preparation and support
We will help you to prepare for your work placement from early in your studies. A special module 'Employability and Placement Preparation’ takes place at the start of your first year. This is an opportunity to start thinking about your placement well in advance. You will also be invited to attend workshops offering guidance and support such as ‘Making the most of your placement’ and ‘How to use your placement as an individual project’.
Fees
Tuition fees for 2026 entry
UK students: £9,790 per year
International students: £30,100 per year
Scholarships
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships*. We also provide scholarships for sport, music and other achievements, alongside regional and partner awards such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. Financial support is available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.
* Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply. See our website for details.
Learning and teaching
All our degrees involve a combination of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, examples classes, workshops and tutorials. Most modules in mathematics involve three one-hour lectures per week, so you typically have 12 lectures per week. In the first year there are tutorial classes for each module every fortnight, except for modules involving computing or project work. Thus in the first year you would typically have around 16 contact hours per week. In the first term, the ‘Foundations’ module helps you with the transition from A level to university mathematics.
Private study and support
In addition to lectures and seminars, you should spend about 20 hours per week in private study. Working through examples and solving problems is a vital part of learning mathematics, and we advise you attempt all coursework problems, whether formally assessed or not. You will be allocated a personal tutor who will be happy to advise or put you in touch with support services and you are encouraged to discuss mathematical problems or questions with tutors and lecturers who advertise regular office hours. Extra support is available, for example through lunchtime mathematics surgeries or our peer mentor scheme, and we have an active student-staff liaison committee.
Project and computer work
There are modules at all levels that involve project work and report writing, and the final year project is a major piece of research and writing that allows you to go into depth for a specific area under the guidance of a member of academic staff. You can choose from wide range of possible project topics each year, or negotiate a topic/title with a member of academic staff. Several of the modules develop skills to use a range of modern computer tools for working with data, programming or symbolic algebra as well as typesetting and presentation.
Elective modules
Once you have mastered the foundations, our mathematics programmes offer in later years a wide range of options within the programme. In addition to the named degrees with study abroad, professional experience and year in industry, you can take optional (called elective) modules from all over the university in later years. These options are subject to your availability, having the appropriate background (pre-requisites) and certain programme constraints.
A research and practice led culture
You will benefit from teaching by academic staff comprising internationally-recognised mathematicians, scientists and practitioners active across a wide range of topics in pure and applied mathematics, statistics and applications. As you progress through your degree, you will hear about the latest mathematical research and have opportunities (for example, the independent research project) to become actively involved in a research project yourself.
Assessment
Assessment for all degrees is through a combination of examinations and coursework. Examinations are the more important part of the process, but the coursework helps you to work steadily throughout your degree. This is particularly important in Mathematics where the subject matter develops logically as the degree progresses. Written examinations for mathematics modules are held in January and May/June of the first and second years and in May/June of each subsequent year. Some modules have tests, essays, presentations and/or project reports that contribute to the assessment.
Optional modules outside of this course
Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.
Minors: Future Skills Pathways
You can study a Future Skills Pathway alongside your main degree by choosing up to 30 credits of modules from a different subject area in your second and final years.
Your future
Exeter has an excellent reputation with graduate recruiters and a strong employment record. Our graduates excel in specialist mathematical fields and across a broad range of other sectors and have found employment with financial institutions such as banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment and unit trusts, as well as stock-broking and financial advisory work.
You’ll be able to meet with local and national employers who regularly visit the university to engage with students, hosting mock interviews, CV workshops, drop-ins and lectures. This is a great opportunity for you to find out more about the day to day activities of their business and recruitment opportunities. Our Careers Service also host a wealth of employer activity, such as Careers Fairs, so you’ll never be short of chances to network with potential employers.
Professional experience
You have the choice to take an optional ‘Commercial and Industrial Experience’ module during the vacation before your third year (fourth year for ‘with a Year in Industry’ students). This opportunity allows you to gain paid work experience in a commercial setting while earning credits towards your degree programme. Professional experience not only develops your CV but helps you to determine your career aspirations.
Career paths
The broad-based skills acquired during your degree will give you an excellent grounding for a wide variety of careers, not only those related to Mathematics but also in wider fields. Examples of roles recent graduates are now working as include:
- Accountant
- Actuary
- Analyst Programmer
- Business Analyst
- Credit Risk Analyst
- Data Science Developer
- Investment Analyst
- Software Engineer
- Statistician
- Tax Manager
