Mathematics - BSc (Hons)

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What if you could learn the analytical skills needed by employers, while exploring the cutting-edge of mathematical science? A Mathematics degree from The University of Kent gives you the best of both worlds.

Overview

We know you love maths. So our courses are built on the research expertise of our world-leading mathematicians. And we know you care about your career. So we rapidly adapt what we teach to reflect the fast-moving graduate employment market.

Why study a Mathematics degree at Kent

  • You’ll be taught by outstanding academics working at the scientific boundaries of pure & applied mathematics and statistics
  • You’ll learn skills that are highly-valued by the best employers in business, finance, computing and engineering
  • You'll use industry-standard software like Maple, MATLAB, R and Python.
  • You'll see how mathematics is crucial in data science, conservation, and healthcare.
  • You’ll study in award-winning classrooms and breakout spaces that have been specially designed for mathematics
  • You'll be able to join brilliant Student Societies for specialist workshops, revision sessions, socials and networking events.

What you’ll study

In the first year you’ll study a mixture of pure & applied maths and statistics, setting you up to create the degree that you want. Small group tutorials help to bridge the gap between school and university and develop your problem-solving skills.

In the second year you build on this base, moving into advanced topics like analysis, number theory, numerical methods and statistical modelling.

In your final year you get to choose. You can specialise in highly academic topics which typically include: topology, complex analysis, non-linear systems and quantum mechanics. You can look at application areas such as machine learning, games & strategy and finance. Or if you prefer, you can do a bit of both.

As you progress, you can tailor your degree to your interests through our optional modules. You can also take a project module and, under supervision, research a current topic.

Year in industry

You can choose to take this course with a Year in Industry. If you’d like to apply for an industrial year in a real job, we’ll work with the company to make sure you’re learning what you need to know and we have a dedicated Placements Team who’ll support you every step of the way.

Foundation year

If you don’t have the qualifications to start your degree right away you may be able to take a four-year course including a Foundation Year. On this “Year 0” our academic staff will teach you the mathematics you need, right here, on campus, in our thriving student community.

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Accreditation

This degree meets the educational requirements of the Chartered Mathematician designation, awarded by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA), when it is followed by subsequent training and experience in employment to obtain equivalent competencies to those specified by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for taught master’s degrees.

The School is very welcoming and there is lots of support available if you need it. It's a good environment to learn in.

Clarissa Baramki - Mathematics BSc

Entry requirements

The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications. All applications are assessed on an individual basis but some of our typical requirements are listed below. Students offering qualifications not listed are welcome to contact our Admissions Team for further advice. Please also see our general entry requirements.

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    A level

    ABB including Maths at A but excluding Use of Maths.

    If taking both A level Mathematics and A level Further Mathematics:

    ABC including Maths at A and Further Maths at B but excluding Use of Maths.

  • medal-empty Access to HE Diploma

    The University welcomes applications from Access to Higher Education Diploma candidates for consideration. A typical offer may require you to obtain a proportion of Level 3 credits in relevant subjects at merit grade or above.

  • medal-empty BTEC Nationals

    The University will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF; OCR) on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for further advice on your individual circumstances.

  • medal-empty International Baccalaureate

    30 points overall or 15 points at HL including Mathematics or Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches 6 at HL

  • medal-empty International Foundation Programme

    N/A

  • medal-empty T level

    The University will consider applicants holding T level qualifications in subjects closely aligned to the course.

The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about our country-specific requirements.

Please note that if you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science offers a foundation year.

English Language Requirements

Please see our English language entry requirements web page.

Please note that if you do not meet our English language requirements, we offer a number of 'pre-sessional' courses in English for Academic Purposes. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme.

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Course structure

Duration: 3 years full-time

Modules

The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.  

On most programmes, you study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also be able to take ‘elective’ modules from other programmes so you can customise your programme and explore other subjects that interest you.

Fees

The 2023/24 annual tuition fees for this course are:

  • Home full-time £9,250
  • EU full-time £13,500
  • International full-time £18,000

For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.

For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* 

Your fee status

The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.

Additional costs

Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.

Funding

We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.

Search scholarships

Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details. 

The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence

At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. 

The scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of A*AA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications (including BTEC and IB) as specified on our scholarships pages.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching amounts to approximately 16 hours of lectures and classes per week. Modules that involve programming or working with computer software packages usually include practical sessions.

The majority of Stage 1 modules are assessed by end-of-year examinations. Many Stage 2 and 3 modules include coursework which normally counts for 20% of the final assessment. Both Stage 2 and 3 marks count towards your final degree result.

Contact hours

For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours.  The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Programme aims

The programme aims to:

  • equip students with the technical appreciation, skills and knowledge appropriate to a degree in mathematics
  • develop students’ facilities of rigorous reasoning and precise expression
  • develop students’ abilities to formulate and solve mathematical problems
  • encourage an appreciation of recent developments in mathematics and of the links between the theory of mathematics and its practical application
  • provide students with a logical, mathematical approach to solving problems
  • provide students with an enhanced capacity for independent thought and work
  • ensure students are competent in the use of information technology and are familiar with computers and the relevant software
  • provide students with opportunities to study advanced topics in mathematics, engage in research at some level, and develop communication and personal skills

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

You gain knowledge and understanding of:

  • the core principles of calculus, algebra, mathematical methods, discrete mathematics, analysis and linear algebra
  • statistics in the areas of probability and inference
  • information technology as relevant to mathematicians
  • methods and techniques of mathematics
  • the role of logical mathematical argument and deductive reasoning.

Intellectual skills

You develop your intellectual skills in the following areas:

  • the ability to demonstrate a reasonable understanding of mathematics
  • the calculation and manipulation of the material written within the programme
  • the ability to apply a range of concepts and principles in various contexts
  • the ability to use logical argument
  • the ability to solve mathematical problems by various methods
  • the relevant computer skills
  • the ability to work independently.

Subject-specific skills

You gain subject-specific skills in the following areas:

  • the ability to demonstrate knowledge of key mathematical concepts and topics, both explicitly and by applying them to the solution of problems
  • the ability to comprehend problems, abstract the essentials of problems and formulate them mathematically and in symbolic form so as to facilitate their analysis and solution
  • the use of computational and more general IT facilities as an aid to mathematical processes
  • the presentation of mathematical arguments and conclusions with clarity and accuracy.

Transferable skills

You gain transferable skills in the following areas:

  • problem-solving skills, relating to qualitative and quantitative information
  • communication skills
  • numeracy and computational skills
  • information-retrieval skills, in relation to primary and secondary information sources, including through online computer searches
  • information technology skills such as word-processing, spreadsheet use and internet communication
  • time-management and organisational skills, as shown by the ability to plan and implement effective modes of working
  • study skills needed for continuing professional development.

Independent rankings

Mathematics at Kent was ranked 19th for student satisfaction in The Complete University Guide 2023.  

Careers

Graduate destinations

Recent graduates have gone on to work in:

  • medical statistics
  • the pharmaceutical industry
  • the aerospace industry
  • software development
  • teaching
  • actuarial work
  • civil service statistics
  • chartered accountancy
  • the oil industry.

Help finding a job

The University has a friendly Careers and Employability Service, which can give you advice on how to:

  • apply for jobs
  • write a good CV
  • perform well in interviews.

Career-enhancing skills

You graduate with an excellent grounding in the fundamental concepts and principles of mathematics. Many career paths can benefit from the numerical and analytical skills you develop during your studies.

To help you appeal to employers, you also learn key transferable skills that are essential for all graduates. These include the ability to:

  • think critically
  • communicate your ideas and opinions
  • manage your time effectively
  • work independently or as part of a team.

You can also gain extra skills by signing up for one of our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.

Professional recognition

This degree meets the educational requirements of the Chartered Mathematician designation, awarded by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA),
when it is followed by subsequent training and experience in employment to obtain equivalent competencies to those specified by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for taught master’s degrees.

Apply for Mathematics - BSc (Hons)

If you are from the UK or Ireland, you must apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not from the UK or Ireland, you can apply through UCAS or directly on our website if you have never used UCAS and you do not intend to use UCAS in the future.

Find out more about how to apply

All applicants

International applicants

Contact us

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United Kingdom/EU enquiries

Enquire online for full-time study

T: +44 (0)1227 816410

E: smsasugadmissions@kent.ac.uk

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International student enquiries

Enquire online

T: +44 (0)1227 823254
E: internationalstudent@kent.ac.uk

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