4 universities with exceptional mathematics degrees

Maths is undoubtedly one of the more polarising subjects as you either love it or hate it. For those with a deep passion for numbers, patterns, and problem-solving, however, taking up a mathematics degree is set to be a journey of a lifetime. You’ll not only gain a profound understanding of mathematical concepts, but also analytical skills, and the ability to think critically. 

In this, choosing the right university for a mathematics degree is crucial to ensure a fulfilling and enriching academic journey. The university’s reputation and connections within the mathematics community are important. Highly regarded mathematics departments often have strong ties to other institutions, professional organisations, and industry partners, providing valuable networking opportunities and internships — boosting your career prospects further.

After achieving a degree in this field, 62.8% of graduates get employed while 14.1% further their studies and 10.9% do a combination of the two. Maths is a subject with applications in various fields, from engineering to finance to computer science. Typical job titles include actuarial analyst, actuary, astronomer, chartered accountant, data analyst or scientist, researcher, secondary school teacher, software engineer, sound engineer and statistician.

If any of this sounds like the future you have in mind, here are four top schools to explore your love for numbers: 

University of Portsmouth

The University of Portsmouth’s School of Mathematics and Physics boasts many accolades. The university is the Top Modern University for mathematics research in the UK while the school is in the top 10 for student satisfaction in Mathematics in the UK. Challenging the way the world thinks of numbers, the school aims to solve technological, environmental and societal problems through stellar teaching and research.

Informing and supporting these are the school’s strong partnerships with organisations from around the world. These include Cubic Transportation Systems Ltd, Transport for London, Arriva UK Ltd, IBM, L’Oréal, GSK, iRed, Dassault Systèmes, European Council for Nuclear Research (CERN), J&J, Phillips and General Motors.

Portsmouth is a waterfront city located on the South Coast of England, with a vibrant nightlife and long history, only a short train from London. This university is as friendly and supportive as it’s successful. Its mathematics programme, accredited by the IMA (Institute of Mathematics and its Applications), is established, with an excellent research profile across various subject areas, including applied mathematics utilising machine learning techniques. Research in this department has yielded impressive results: 92% of its outputs were considered internationally excellent or world-leading and 100% of the school’s impact was rated as having very considerable or outstanding reach and significance.

“Before I started my course, I had no idea how maths related to computer science,” says Amber Burton, who landed her dream job as a graduate engineer in data science and software development. “But I am so glad this is such a big part of Maths at Portsmouth because it really does reflect the skills that are needed in industry today [and] helped me to get my dream job.”

Here, all programmes are designed to open doors to ambitious careers — including those that make you vital to an age of artificial intelligence. The Mathematics with Machine Learning BSc, one of the first of its kind, explores powerful mathematical concepts and tools, and bring them to bear on subjects like machine learning, neural networks, and Python coding. You’ll develop a rounded understanding of modern mathematics, including calculus, linear algebra and probability, with a focus on machine learning tools, theories and methods. It’s a foundation that’ll prepare you for the 71% growth in jobs that need AI or machine learning skills by 2026.

University of Glasgow

Ranked as the 12th best UK university in 2022 by The Guardian and 81st in the QS World University Rankings 2023: Top global universities, the University of Glasgow is a prestigious school known the world over for its exemplary education. In fact, 100% of its research has been classed as world-leading and internationally excellent by the Research Excellence Framework [2021]. 

While the university’s accolades are numerous, it stands out because it aims to develop a nurturing and friendly environment for researchers and students. The School of Mathematics & Statistics is highly rated internationally for its research. In this department, they collaborate with mathematicians with other experts in the UK and abroad, with many visiting mathematicians choosing to spend time in Glasgow to work with the school.  

The school specialises in Pure Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. For a BSc, students may choose Accounting & Mathematics, Accounting & Statistics, Finance & Mathematics, Finance & Statistics, Statistics and Mathematics. In terms of postgraduate degrees, the University of Glasgow offers Advanced Statistics (MRes), Data Analytics (MSc), Data Analytics (MSc/PgDip/PgCert: Online distance learning), Data Analytics for Government (MSc/PgDip/PgCert: Online distance learning), Mathematics / Applied Mathematics (MSc) and Statistics (MSc). 

Queen’s University Belfast

Queen’s University Belfast is ranked #198 in the world in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023. With over 3,800 international students from 92 countries, the institution is ranked 17th in Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 for the global outlook.

Part of the university since 1845, the School of Mathematics and Physics has an extensive history which gives graduates an established and internationally recognised qualification. It has 60 full-time academics, 50 research fellows, 100 postgraduate students and 25 support staff. The research centres explore astrophysics, atomistic simulation, nanostructured media, light-matter interactions, mathematical sciences research, theoretical atomic, and molecular and optical physics. 

In 2016, the university opened the Teaching Centre for Mathematics and Physics, a dedicated space for the school. As a central hub for the students, it includes lecture and group-study rooms, a student social area, computer facilities and a state-of-the-art physics laboratory. Here students may undertake a selection of mathematics bachelor’s and master’s programmes, including an MSci in Maths, Stats and Operational Research, BSc in Mathematics and Computer Science and more. 

Swansea University

Established in 1920, Swansea University has a long history of being at the cutting edge of research and innovation. Dedicated to ensuring that students and faculty excel, the university is guided by five key pillars: civic mission to celebrate heritage, providing a high-quality student experience, passion for learning and teaching, research that makes an impact, and being collaborative and entrepreneurial. These guiding principles are also followed in each department.

Swansea University’s Mathematics Department offers a variety of courses from undergrad to postgraduate level. Options include BSc Mathematics and Sports and Exercise Science (with optional Year in Industry + year abroad), BSc Mathematics for Finance (with optional Year in Industry + year abroad), MSc Maths and Computing for Finance, MRes Stochastic Processes: Theory and Application and PhD/MSc by Research/MPhil Mathematics. 

Located at the Bay Campus, the Mathematics Department is in the 32.5 million pound Computational Foundry, where researchers and students work in the same environment dedicated to the computational sciences. The department has a 100% world-leading impact, and 100% of its publications to world-leading and internationally excellent, according to Research Excellence Framework (REF), 2021. Research areas include Algebra and Topology, Stochastic Analysis, Mathematics Education, Biomathematics, Computational Mathematics, and Analysis and Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International