How you learn

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive. 

Our approach to teaching and learning puts students at the centre, supporting you to develop your understanding of mathematical concepts and your ability to apply them in various contexts. These contexts are informed by our links with industry, including live projects where you work in partnership with local companies and charities on issues they’re facing. 

You’ll learn from lecturers who are internationally recognised for their research and teaching methods. The teaching team also includes experts in mathematical research – including in mathematical modelling, statistics and pure mathematics.  

You learn through: 

• Diverse lectures emphasising peer collaboration.
• Tutorials to practise and apply your knowledge ahead of assessments.
• Hands-on lab experience in computational modelling and simulation.
• Q&A and discussions for self-assessment and understanding.
• Support sessions for receiving feedback and preparing for assessments.
• Teamwork activities for collaboration in an innovative environment.
• Project-based learning to apply knowledge, creativity, design, critical analysis and professional skills to real-world projects.

We use a variety of assessment types designed to allow you to show your best mathematical work and to prepare you for a range of future careers. You’ll get feedback on your developing ideas through tutorial exercises and your skills and knowledge will be assessed via exams, presentations, reports and interviews.  

Course Topics

You’ll learn all the core maths techniques you need – algebra, calculus and data analysis – with a strong focus on how to apply them to the real world. Key themes include mathematical modelling, how mathematics is used in society and how it can help tackle global sustainability challenges. 

You’ll begin the course by deepening your mathematics knowledge and skills – from computer programming and rigour to core principles of proof and reasoning. You’ll then learn how to apply your learning, gaining practical experience by analysing and presenting data for businesses. You’ll encounter logistical problems and build mathematical models to solve them – in a project that’s often run by Sheffield United FC.

You’ll refine your modelling skills, develop your communication skills and improve your mathematical reasoning skills. By the end of the year you’ll have an excellent grounding in key mathematical thinking and understanding, ready to explore further ideas in your final year.

In your final year you’ll apply your knowledge to specific topics. You can also choose a project or dissertation topic set by a real company. Our support team can help you to arrange this, and you’ll liaise with both your supervisor and contacts from the company to complete your project. 

Course Support

Our department runs smaller group sizes, offering you a close-knit and supportive environment where we emphasise collaboration over lecturing. 

You’ll be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate-level employment. This includes:  

• Access to our student support triangle to help with your personal, academic and career development.  
• Access to our Skills Centre for support with one-to-ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments and assessment preparation. 
• Industry-specific employability activities, including work placements, live projects and networking opportunities.

Applied learning

Live Projects

We embed real-life case studies and work experience into the course to support your development into a professional mathematician. You’ll explore case studies from areas such as mathematical modelling, machine learning, AI, data analysis and climate science. Some of these are presented by our academic experts in those fields – others by guest lecturers from our industry partners in the local region, giving you direct links to future employers and the opportunity for professional networking.  

Live projects form an essential part of our teaching. You’ll work on live data sets from local businesses, government, health trusts or charities – developing essential skills such as project management, teamwork and reporting, and presenting results to both technical and non-technical audiences. By undertaking this work, you’re also gaining real work experience as a consultant, preparing you for your future career.   

Work Placements  

You’ll have the opportunity to arrange a year-long work placement in between your second and third years. This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career – and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV. 

Your course is designed to give you the knowledge, confidence and readiness to secure and succeed in your placement. You’ll also have access to various support activities, resources, employer events and opportunities from your Careers & Employability Team, helping you to make the most of your work experience opportunities during your degree. 

Previous students have secured placements at businesses such as HSBC, WSP, Volkswagen, Covance, Paraxel, Disney, the UK government and the Civil Service.

Networking Opportunities

You’ll have the opportunity to attend scheduled events across the academic year and meet industry partners, employers and researchers. You'll also have the chance to attend alumni presentations where you can gain insights from previous students before you graduate. And we have a popular Maths and Physics society, which has previously organised trips to the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland.

Future careers

Maths leads to a broad range of careers because the skills you develop are widely applicable. Whether you have an idea of where you’re heading or not, we’ll help you find and achieve your goals. 

This course prepares graduates who are highly employable in many general and specialist graduate roles, including: 

• Scientific or medical research 
• Medicine and health logistics 
• Engineering 
• Business logistics, market research and data analysis 
• Local and national government 
• Finance and banking, wealth management, counter fraud 
• IT/technology 
• Teaching 

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for: 

• HSBC
• Lloyds Banking Group
• Direct Line
• Experian 
• WSP
• BAE Systems
• Volkswagen
• International Airlines Group  
• Reckitt
• AstraZeneca
• Covance
• Parexel 
• NHS England 
• Disney 
• UK Government Civil Service 
• Amazon Logistics 
• Nectar360 at Sainsbury’s 

Further study is also a popular option – including postgraduate study in mathematics, cybersecurity, neuroscience, quantity surveying and teaching.

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

City Campus

City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.

City Campus map | City Campus tour 

Location

Howard Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB

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Adsetts library

Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

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Entry requirements

Fees and funding

• Home students
• International students

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2024/25 is £9,250 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and are therefore subject to changes in government policy. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2024/25 is £16,655 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.

Financial support for home/EU students

How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.

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Additional course costs

This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

Additional costs for Mathematics courses (PDF, 319KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.