Maths prospects

The breadth of mathematics is immense. It is a fundamental subject for much of science/technology, and also for all analytical and model-building activities across a wide range of sectors. Since the spread of topics is so broad in a mathematics degree, some have little in common with others.
Statistics is an important mathematics discipline and studying it gives you skills relating particularly to the design and conduct of experimental and observational studies and the analysis of data resulting from them. The analytical approach you practice, trains you to be able to apply theoretical knowledge to problem-solving and to develop and evaluate logical arguments.
Skills developed may include:

• analysing and interpreting the resultant data, finding patterns and drawing conclusions;
• skills in designing and conducting observational and experimental studies;
• high level IT skills developed through the use of computer applications to support the subjects you study;
• the ability to approach problems in an analytical and rigorous way and to formulate theories and apply them to solve problems;
• the facility to deal with abstract concepts;
• an ability to present mathematical arguments and conclusions from them with accuracy and clarity;
• advanced numeracy skills and the ability to handle and analyse large quantities of data;
• clear, logical thinking.

In addition to your mathematical skills, your degree programme also trains you in general skills that employers will expect you to have, including:

• communication skills;
• time management;
• organisational skills and the ability to work methodically and accurately;organising your work;
• teamwork skills and the ability to work independently.

Consider the skills developed on your course as well as through your other activities, such as paid work, volunteering, family responsibilities, sport, membership of societies, leadership roles, etc. Think about how these can be used as evidence of your skills and personal attributes. 

Jobs directly related to your degree

• Research scientist (maths) - develops an understanding of complex number systems, proves theorems and applies mathematical principles to identify trends in data sets. May work in universities, research institutes or in industry.
• Statistician - collects, analyses, and interprets quantitative information in areas such as health, the environment, industry, government and education.
• Operational researcher - exploits advanced optimisation tools from mathematics and statistics to help organisations make decisions and maximise their efficiency in widely varying situations from handling kidney transplant waiting lists to making production lines in factories work more efficiently.
• Aeronautical engineer - mathematicians are employed to work in the design of civil and military aircraft, missiles, weapons systems, satellites and space vehicles. A Masters in an engineering-related discipline such as fluid dynamics would be an advantage.
• Meteorologist - uses high level analytical mathematics, e.g. differential equations, fluid dynamics and computer modelling, to predict weather and climate both in the long and short term.
• Secondary school teacher or Higher education lecturer - facilitates learning and carries out research activities in universities and some colleges of further education (FE).
• Actuarial consultant or Actuary - interprets mathematical results from past events in order to predict future risk and makes commercial decisions based on those results. The profession has adopted 'making financial sense of the future' as its slogan. Actuaries work in government, insurance companies, actuarial consultancies and large chartered accountancy firms.
• Financial risk analyst - identifies and analyses areas of potential risk threatening the assets, earning capacity or success of organisations in the industrial, commercial or public sector and has responsibility for predicting change and future trends and forecasting their potential cost to the organisation. Financial risk analysts work in sales, trading, marketing and private banking.
• Investment analyst - undertakes research to provide ideas and information to fund managers to enable them to make decisions relating to the company’s investment portfolios. Investment analysts work for investment management companies, stockbrokers and investment banks.

Jobs where your degree would be useful

• Chartered accountant, Chartered certified accountant, Chartered management accountant or Chartered public finance accountant - provides accountancy, tax, salaries, financial planning, audit/assurance and budgeting services either within one firm or organisation, or to a range of clients and organisations in the public and/or private sectors.
• Corporate financier - provides a range of financial services and advice to companies, institutions and governments seeking to manage corporate, strategic or financial opportunities - more popularly known as investment bankers, though the work of investment bankers includes other functions, such as mergers and acquisitions.
• Market researcher - collects and analyses information from consumers on behalf of businesses, government and charities; analyses consumer opinions and presents results to enable organisations to make informed decisions. Market researchers often specialise in one sector, such as consumer or social research.
• Transport planner - forecasts travel trends, develops strategies to manage demand and considers ways to persuade people to change their behaviour in line with government policy. Transport planners may work in transport planning consultancies, local authorities, government and large engineering consultancies.
• Software engineer - researches, designs, tests, implements and maintains software systems to meet client or employer needs, using a variety of computer programming languages and applications.
• Insurance risk surveyor - also known as a risk consultant, risk control surveyor or risk control adviser. Advises about risk, based on technical knowledge and good practice.
• Management consultant - provides expert advice to organisations, primarily in relation to technological, organisational and behavioural change.
• Pension scheme manager - responsible for ensuring that an employee pension scheme operates effectively and may coordinate schemes managed by a company/employer, a benefits consultancy, or an insurance company.