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Full Time: 5 Years
With our MMath Mathematics with a Placement year course you will develop your mathematics knowledge to a master level and gain a valuable insight into industry.
Develop an in-depth understanding of a subject that touches on every aspect of society and the natural world, from the physics of the oceans to the modelling of financial markets. This masters-level degree will allow you to pursue your specific interests, whether you enjoy pure or applied mathematics. You can also gain valuable industry experience through a year-long paid placement.
Additionally, the course is approved by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications and enables you to apply for Chartered Mathematician status following graduation. It is particularly ideal if you are considering a career as a research mathematician.
During the first two years you will study the main aspects of mathematics and develop your knowledge in areas such as algebra, analysis, calculus and differential equations. In the second year you will also take a skills module, which is designed to improve your transferable skills and enhance your employability.
The next two years are predominantly made up of optional modules, enabling you to tailor the course to suit your interests. These can include areas such as applied analysis, computational modelling, theoretical polymer physics, probability and statistics. One third of your final year will be made up of a guided research project, for which you will be given one-to-one supervision by an academic member of staff with expertise in your chosen area. This will culminate in a report and presentation.
You will be given plenty of support to help you get the most out of your studies, including small group problem-solving tutorials and materials to help you manage the transition to university-level mathematics. You will also benefit from around 20 hours of contact time per week. Additionally, you can get involved with the Department's Staff Student Forums and the Student Teaching and Learning Group, which enable you to have a direct input into the student experience.
This course is approved by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications and enables you to apply for Chartered Mathematician status following graduation.
Placement
Between your second and third years you will carry out a paid industrial training placement, lasting around 12 months. Placements can be located anywhere in the UK, and occasionally take place abroad.
You could take on a wide variety of roles such as statistician, business analyst, actuarial intern and radiation protection scientist. You will also have the chance to work for a range of national and international organisations such as Microsoft, IBM, SAP or the NHS.
You will be given advice and support for finding the ideal placement, writing a CV and interview skills, by our dedicated placements officer.
For more information about securing and completing a placement for your placement year, please visit our Important Information page.
For more information, please visit the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
Typical offer A Level ABC | IB 30 points overall
What will you study?
How much will it cost?
New UK/EU students: £9,250* per year
New international students: £20,830 per year
* UK and EU fee changes
UK undergraduate fees are regulated by the government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK and EU** students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.
From 2020, the UK government may link tuition fees to the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).
**EU students
For more information on fees, loans and grants for EU students, see fees and funding for home/EU students.
Additional costs
These course fees cover the cost of your tuition. Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Placement Year fees
If you spend a full year on placement – including professional and research placements and industrial experience – you’ll pay a discounted tuition fee for that year.
For Home/EU students, the discounted fee is subject to parliamentary approval and is currently capped at £1,385.
For International students, the discount is 15% of your normal tuition fee.
For more information, please contact placements@reading.ac.uk.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK and other EU countries may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
* UK and EU Fee Changes
Subject to the Government passing legislation to raise the minimum fee cap, we will raise undergraduate tuition fees from £9,000 to £9,250 for new UK/EU students applying to start courses in the 2017/18 academic year. You will not be affected by this rise if you have deferred entry to the 2017/18 academic year. The Government will confirm future arrangements for EU students in due course.
The tuition fee will remain £9,000 per year for the full duration of this course if you start in the 2016/17 academic year or have accepted an offer but deferred your entry until the 2017/18 academic year. This is unlike other institutions who are planning to raise fees midway through courses.
For further information, please see our webpage on the Teaching Excellence Framework and future tuition fees.
Additional costs
These course fees cover the cost of your tuition. Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK and other EU countries may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
What career can you have?
As an MMath graduate you will be ideally placed for a career in mathematical research, whether in industry, academia or elsewhere.
Additionally, your mathematical knowledge combined with computing, teamwork and presentation skills will make you highly desirable to a range of other employers.
You may choose to work as a mathematician or statistician for public sector organisations, such as health authorities or the Office for National Statistics, or areas of the private sector including commerce and information technology. Furthermore, you can move into a range of related careers such as accountancy, banking, financial analysis, engineering, modelling, computing, teaching or actuarial work. Recent students have gone on to work for leading organisations from a wide variety of sectors including PepsiCo, the BBC, the Bank of East Asia and BAE Systems.