Mathematics BSc

Mathematics offers a principled, logical, and quantitative perspective of the world around us. From mathematical modelling of air flow and epidemic spreading, through medical diagnosis and power-grid control to investment banking and self-driving cars – mathematics is fundamental to many cutting-edge technologies. Graduates with these skills are in high demand across many sectors of industry and our course equips you the advanced tools and techniques needed to develop your career.

Our Mathematics department offer a suite of programmes delivered by dedicated and passionate staff. Our Mathematics programmes look at the excitingly complex patterns and systems that can arise from simple mathematical ideas, and how they may provide the key to understanding biological, economic or physical problems. You can find out more about the Mathematics department and their courses here.

What you’ll learn

Our programme is designed to create graduates with a strong mathematical background oriented towards knowledge and technical skills in demand by the job market.

In your first and second years, you will build a solid foundation of mathematical knowledge by learning core mathematical topics, such as Algebra, Analysis, Calculus, Differential Equations, Geometry and Probability, amongst others. You will also be developing abilities for problem solving and real-world applications of that knowledge. For instance:

In Probability and Statistics you will be introduced to the elementary theory of probability and statistics and learn to apply that knowledge using Microsoft Excel to statistically analyse real-world data sets and draw relevant and practical conclusions.

Numerical Algorithms and Programming will provide you with essential understanding of core concepts in programming, focussing on mathematics applications. You will learn how to formulate algorithms to execute methods and how to implement generic algorithms from a description.

Machine Learning will introduce you to some of the fundamental concepts powering the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution. You will learn to address some of the fundamental tasks in the field, how to formulate them, and how to apply machine learning algorithms to manipulate data.

After the second year, you can take two possible routes. You may decide to spend your third year in a paid professional placement, of direct relevance to your studies, or you can start your final year in the programme.

The final year will allow you to choose specialist options, steering the emphasis of your degree. You will be presented optional modules which capitalise on cutting-edge research carried out within the Mathematics department in the fields of data science, data modelling, machine learning and many others.

Data Science is a fast growing area of great importance due to the large amount of available data and the penetration of machine learning methods. We offer a cluster of modules to build up this expertise in our graduates. For instance, in Time Series you will study the theory and practice of analysing and forecasting data, acquiring hands-on experience in the analysis and forecasting of real life economic, financial, physical, and physiological time series. Probability Modelling will equip you with the theoretical and practical probabilistic machine learning tools required for modelling and inferring data. You will be able to carry out classification, regression, forecasting, inference and optimisation tasks that are essential for many application domains. Network Science facilitates greater understanding of the links between network constituents and how they affect their behaviour. The properties of social networks, the internet as well as electricity grids and communication networks are revealed from mathematical analysis, with impact on their stability, robustness and efficiency.

Finance is an area in which mathematics plays an important role and we have grouped relevant modules to enable dedicated training in the mathematics of finance. These include the two modules Financial Mathematics, and Portfolio Theory and Option Theory, where you will learn how everyday banking mechanisms like pensions, mortgages, credit cards and financial bonds function as real life investment and trading instruments. These individual financial assets will then be selectively combined to construct portfolios that can maximise profit in a fluctuating market addressing individual requirements as mathematical constraints. 
In Game Theory, you will sharpen your strategic thinking by analysing economic and strategic competition in terms of benefits and costs. You will be equipped with intuitive yet powerful methods applicable from the socio-economic world to genetics and evolution.

There are many other options available. For example, you will have the opportunity to learn the basics of Quantum Computing, an exciting new area that is expected to shape the future. Our programme is one of the few in the UK to include quantum computing as part of an undergraduate course in mathematics.

By the end of your course, if you choose the Mathematics Project option, you will have undertaken independent studies to master a particular topics and use that knowledge to solve a specific problem. All projects are closely supervised by members of the academic staff with expertise in the topic.

Modules

Year 1

In the first year of the course, students study fundamental Mathematics modules alongside modules providing basic writing and computing skills.

•    Fundamental Mathematics
•    Vector Algebra and Geometry
•    Mathematical Thinking and Writing
•    Probability and Statistics
•    Probability Distributions
•    Numerical Algorithms and Programming
•    Ordinary Differential Equations
•    Analysis I

Year 2

The second year of Mathematics combines intermediate-level mathematics with transferable and data analysis skills modules. The core modules are:

•    Complex Analysis 
•    Introduction to Numerical Analysis
•    Linear Mathematics
•    Mathematical Methods 
•    Professional Practice 
•    Vector Calculus 

At this stage, you will start specialising in different areas of Mathematics and can choose two of the following optional modules:

•    Machine Learning 
•    Numerical Analysis
•    Abstract Algebra
•    Analysis II

Year 3 - Optional placement year

Find out more about the Aston placement year.

If you choose to do a placement year, you will choose one of the following:

•    EPS Study Placement Year 
•    EPS Industrial Placement Year 
•    EPS Study/Work Placement Year

Final Year 

At this stage, you will choose 4 modules from the following options:

•    Approximation Theory
•    Mathematics Report 
•    Financial Mathematics and Portfolio Theory
•    Mechanics
•    Partial Differential Equations  
•    Probabilistic Modelling
•    Time Series

And another 4 modules from the following options:

•    Chaos and Dynamical Systems 
•    Game Theory
•    Mathematics Project
•    Network Science
•    Option Theory
•    Stochastic Processes

Accreditation

Our course is accredited by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) and meets the educational requirements of Chartered Mathematician designation, which is subject to appropriate professional experience.

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year and Aston is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham, it’s also a great place to live. Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career.

One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability and our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Choosing to start your Aston journey with one of our foundation programmes will help you develop specialist knowledge to ensure that you are fully prepared to study your chosen undergraduate course. During your foundation year, you’ll have excellent support from academics and group projects will give you the chance to meet new people, make new friends and build a network of peers who will share your university journey. We also have a Learning Development Centre that can provide additional support and offer pre-sessional English language programmes. 

For International Students intending to do a foundation year, visit ONCAMPUS.

Typical offers:

A Levels

• ABB, to include A level Maths at minimum grade A
   
• BBB, to include A level Maths at minimum grade B (with an EPQ or Core Maths at grade B)
   
• BBC, to include A level Maths at minimum grade B (contextual offer applicants*)

*For details on our Aston Ready contextual offer scheme, please see here.

IB

32 overall points with 6, 5, 5 in Higher Level subjects including a 6 in Higher Level Mathematics and grade 5 in Standard Level English. 

BTEC, Access & other

BTEC

• Extended Diploma and National Extended Diploma (any subject): DDM plus 1 A-Level in Mathematics at minimum grade A
   
• National Diploma and Diploma (any subject): DM plus 1 A-level  in Mathematics at minimum grade A
   
• Foundation or 90 credits Diploma (any subject): DM plus 2 A-levels grade AB including Mathematics at minimum grade A
   
• National Extended Certificate or Subsidiary Diploma (any subject): M plus 2 A-level grade AB including Mathematics at minimum grade A
   
• Certificate/ National Certificate Level 3: Not accepted

 
Access to Higher Education: 

30 Distinctions and 15 Merits at Level 3 including at least 15 credits at Level 3 in Mathematics at Distinction


Non-standard qualifications
 
Degree: 

• Year 1 entry: We may consider applicants for year 1 entry who are undertaking a 1st year degree elsewhere. You must meet the GCSE and A level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.
   
• Year 2 entry: Please note that second year transfers are not part of the standard admissions process and is up to the discretion of the admissions team and programme director. Applications are only considered if there is space on that year of the programme. Typically, applicants for second year entry must meet the GCSEs and A level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. Alongside this you must have gained (or be expected to gain) 65% overall and 120 credits on an equivalent programme at another recognised university. The equivalency of the programme is reviewed by the Admissions Tutor and you will be required to provide an official copy of the programme specification of this. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.
   
• Year 3: We will not be able to consider any application for Year 3. 

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and the whole application is reviewed which includes previous and predicted qualifications, any experience, references and motivation.

T Levels

T Levels are not currently accepted as an entry requirement for this course.

Students completing T levels in 2022
T levels in the following subjects are not accepted for entry to this course: Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction; Digital Production, Design and Development; Education and Childcare.  Please note that where a T level is listed as 'Not acceptable' this is because the T level does not cover subject specific knowledge that we normally require at A level.  If you have taken both a T level and an additional A level or A levels please consult the admissions team for advice in relation to any degrees where T levels are listed as 'not accepted.'

Students completing T levels in 2023 and beyond
There are now an additional seven T Level qualifications in: building services; engineering for construction; digital business services; digital support and services; health; healthcare science; onsite construction and science. The first student cohorts from these subjects will complete their courses in the summer of 2023. We will publish details of the progression opportunities to our degree programmes from these T Levels by September 2022.

GCSEs

Additionally to our Level 3 requirement, you will also need to have achieved:

GCSE Maths and English Grade C/4 or above. 
 

Our Admissions Policy

View our Admissions Policy

Whilst the grades listed here are our entry requirements, we understand that predicted grades are only an estimate. We will therefore consider applicants with predicted grades that fall below these entry requirements if the application is of a high standard (however, initial offers will not be lower than stated above).

Entry onto our Foundation Year maybe offered as an alternative to the degree course if lower entry grades are achieved.

*For details on our Aston Ready contextual offer scheme, please see here.

The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this course for the most commonly offered qualifications.

Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire with the relevant admissions teams prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor.

International students

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification. Find out more about our English language requirements. For more information about qualifications view our Aston in your country webpage.

You will learn through a range of teaching methods and learning styles including lectures, seminars, small group discussions, lab exercises, practical classes,  individual and group projects. 
 
Assessment will be a combination of written exams, projects, reports, essays and coursework. 
 

After graduating, he joined the HSBC graduate scheme, and has been working for the company ever since.

More information

* The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be charged the same tuition rates as Home students. 
Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/student-support-in-england

Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. When undertaking a placement year a placement year fee applies.

More information on fees

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs. Find out more about our scholarships here.

The course has been specifically designed, with industry input, to meet the huge demand for skilled maths graduates in finance and data analysis.

You could choose employment in a broad range of positions, for instance in research and development teams as part of a large company or in start-ups, as trainee analysts and consultants. Alternatively, you may choose to continue your training at MSc and PhD level, or pursue a teaching career.

Typical areas of employment include finance, IT, education and consultancy with potential employers including: Virgin Media, Accenture, Fujitsu, IBM and GCHQ.

Why choose Mathematics at Aston University? 

You’ll receive an excellent grounding in key mathematical principles as well as learning the key tools and techniques you’ll need to build an exciting career on graduation. 

What will I be doing on the Mathematics course at Aston? 

You’ll cover fundamental mathematical principles before taking options that will enable you to build your knowledge and skills in particular areas of interest to you.
 
In addition, the optional placement year gives you the opportunity to apply your learning in real life, giving you practical skills and experience that will stand you in good stead as you enter the workforce on graduation.  

Why would I take a year in industry? 

Aston University's four year courses offer the opportunity to spend your third year in a paid placement. The value a placement adds is immense – you will grow in knowledge, experience, confidence and maturity, and gain organisational and time management skills. 

Why should international students choose Aston University? 

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 different countries chose to study with us every year and Aston is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham it’s also a great place to live. 

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career.  

Choosing to start your Aston journey with our foundation programme will help you develop specialist knowledge to ensure that you are fully prepared to study your chosen undergraduate course.