BSc Mathematics with Finance and Investment Banking with International Foundation Year

Expand your mathematical knowledge, gain practical experience, and help prepare for a professional career with our BSc Mathematics with Finance and Investment Banking with International Foundation Year degree.

This programme is designed for international students. If you want to study maths and finance at a British university but don’t have the correct qualifications, our four-year BSc Mathematics with Finance and Investment Banking with International Foundation Year programme enables you to undertake an undergraduate mathematics and finance degree.

You will complete a foundation year (called Year 0) before progressing onto our three-year BSc Mathematics with Finance and Investment Banking degree. This means you can apply for a single four-year visa that covers the whole duration of your studies.

The foundation year is designed to equip you with the subject-specific and general study skills needed to cope with the demands of undergraduate study. Our high-quality teaching is geared towards the needs of students from a wide range of educational backgrounds.

For more information, visit the International Foundation Programme website.

Tailor your degree

In your final year, you will be able to explore areas of interest in greater depth.

Alongside your mathematical and/or statistical project work, you will choose from a range of optional modules such as:

Fintech and cryptocurrencies
Private equity and venture capital
Partial differential equations and applications
Number theory and cryptography
Applied stochastic processes.

Support across your studies

Support for the transition to university-level mathematics will be provided through weekly tutorials.

You will also be encouraged to get involved with the Department of Mathematics Student Staff Partnership Group.

Placement opportunities

You can choose to undertake a summer placement to gain valuable insight and experience. Alternatively, you can opt for our four-year BSc Mathematics with Finance and Investment Banking with Placement Year course, which incorporates a year in industry. Students on our three-year course can choose to transfer if they wish.

Overview

Learning

Tailor your degree

In your final year, you will be able to explore areas of interest in greater depth.

Alongside your mathematical and/or statistical project work, you will choose from a range of optional modules such as:

Fintech and cryptocurrencies
Private equity and venture capital
Partial differential equations and applications
Number theory and cryptography
Applied stochastic processes.

Support across your studies

Entry requirements A Level See entry requirements

GCSE

Grades 9–4 (A*–C) in five subjects, or equivalent qualifications

IELTS

A minimum overall score of 5.5 in IELTS, with no component below 5.5.

See our IFP English Qualifications page for full details of the academic and English language entry requirements for this course.

Further requirements

If you are an international student planning to apply for one of our degree programmes, you may need to take a foundation course or pre-sessional course if you do not have qualifications that are equivalent to British A levels or if you need to improve your English language level.

We will be updating this page with module information over the coming weeks. You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Calculus

Extend your existing knowledge of calculus into two or more dimensions, exploring techniques of ordinary differential equations of the first and second order and learning how programming has mathematical applications.

Foundations of Mathematics

Gain a solid introduction to fundamental topics in mathematics and develop the necessary skills to study mathematics at university-level. You’ll focus on the concept of sets, functions and various familiar number systems, as well as the importance of proofs and how to construct them.

Linear Algebra

Learn how to solve systems of linear equations, determine eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and develop the algebra of matrices which are used as a stepping-stone to the more general theory of liner and inner-product spaces.

Probability and Statistics

Understand probability and probability distributions, results and techniques for statistical reference and data science, and regression and hypothesis testing.

Introductory Finance / Trading Simulation I

Introductory Securities and Markets

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Mathematical Modelling and Professional Skills

Develop your problem-solving and independent research skills by applying mathematical modelling techniques to solve real-world problems across a broad range of scientific, engineering and economical areas. You’ll also expand your team-working, presentation, career management, technical, verbal and written communication skills.

Differential Equations

Build on your knowledge of ordinary differential equations and explore partial differential equations and their applications. You’ll explore non-constant coefficients, integral and series solutions, Fourier series, the theory of boundary value problems, diffusion equations, wave equations and Laplace’s equation.

Numerical Analysis I

Describe, analyse and implement numerical methods for problems in continuous mathematics, including solution of linear equations and nonlinear scalar equations, interpolation, scalar optimisation and solution of ordinary differential equations.

Financial Modelling

Optional modules

Environmental Economics

Get an overview of the theories, methodological tools, and evidence to understand contemporary environmental problems such as climate change, pollution, and sustainable development. You’ll learn the framework to evaluate various important policy questions.

Trends in Finance

Programming For Finance

Sustainable Finance

Fx and International Debt Markets

Personal Finance

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Portfolio of Projects

Conduct a series of projects on mathematical or statistical topics and develop your technical and professional skills.

Derivative Securities

Optional modules

Asymptotic Methods

Discover the basic ideas of asymptotic analysis and further develop your skills in solving a range of problems involving nonlinear equations, integrals and differential equations.

Applied Stochastic Processes

Learn how to solve problems using stochastic processes and concepts from a variety of applications, including molecular motion, population dynamics, weather and finances.

Partial Differential Equation and Applications

Examine partial differential equations and how they appear in practical applications and natural phenomena, in particular fluid mechanics, water waves and wave scattering theory.

Numerical Analysis II

Motivate, develop and analyse a range of algorithms for the approximate solution of problems of continuous mathematics and techniques in numerical linear algebra.

Summer Placement

Gain experience applying for, and completing, a summer work placement or internship with an employer.

Private Equity and Venture Capital

Finance and Occupational Pensions

Fintech and Cryptocurrencies

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250

New international students: £27,650

*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional Costs

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 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.

Careers

Jobs in the financial markets, investment banking and securities are generally well paid and highly sought-after.

Henley Business School is triple-accredited and this degree provides a direct route into many areas including accounting and professional services, banking, consultancy, finance, human resources, IT, investment banking, marketing, operations and, of course, general management.

As a mathematics graduate, you can 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, engineering, modelling, computing or actuarial work.

Alternatively you can choose to further develop your skills by moving into research, teacher training or postgraduate studies.

BSc Mathematics with Finance and Investment Banking with International Foundation Year - September Entry

*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

EU student fees

Additional Costs

Financial support for your studies

Ready for more?