BSc Mathematics
Belfast, United Kingdom
DURATION
3 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
GBP 18,800 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* subject to the availability of places
** international fee
Introduction
Mathematics is the universal language of science. It pervades technology, society, medicine, life, the universe and everything!
Mathematics is also one of the most powerful tools for analysis and problem solving known to mankind. Thus, mathematics provides a unique combination of factors: a pure science with infinite intrigue awaiting a curious mind, and a hugely valuable and employable skill set enabling a broad range of possible future careers.
Mathematics Degree Highlights
In 2020, more than 90% of 1st and 2nd year Maths students expressed overall satisfaction with their course HEFCE National Student Survey.
Global Opportunities
- We participate in the IAESTE and Turing student exchange programmes, which enable students to obtain work experience in companies and universities throughout the world.
Industry Links
- All students in the school have the option to include a year in industry as part of their studies. This is a fantastic opportunity to see mathematics at work in the real world, and to enhance your career prospects at the same time. Possible placements will include companies in the finance and technology sectors, and indeed we maintain strong links with local companies who hire mathematics graduates. Several local financial services companies (including Carus FT, Effex Capital and AquaQ Analytics) were founded by mathematics graduates from Queen’s.
World Class Facilities
- The School has its own dedicated teaching centre which opened in September 2016. This building houses lecture and group-study rooms, a hugely popular student social area and state-of-the-art computer and laboratory facilities. The centre is an exciting hub for our students and is situated directly adjacent to the Lanyon Building on the main university campus. This makes us the only school with a dedicated teaching space right at the heart of the university.
Internationally Renowned Experts
- The School of Mathematics and Physics is a large school with staff from 13 countries, including UK, US, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, Russia, Argentina, Cuba, Germany, China, Greece, Kenya, Niger, The Netherlands and Romania. Many of our staff are leading international experts in their fields of mathematical research. Thus the ethos of the School is one of excellence in research informing excellence in teaching.
Student Experience
- Many students find the transition from school to university somewhat daunting. In order to help with this transition, mathematics students have pioneered a Peer Mentoring scheme that is generally regarded as one of the most effective in the University. As well as providing a forum for first year students to obtain support, it also provides mentors with transferable skills which will increase graduate employment opportunities.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
How do I fund my study?
There are different tuition fees and student financial support arrangements for students from Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales (Great Britain), and those from the rest of the European Union.
Scholarships
Each year, we offer a range of scholarships and prizes for new students.
International Scholarships
Curriculum
Course Structure
Course Content
The course unit details given below are subject to change and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Stage 1
• Introduction to Algebra and Analysis
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Mathematical Methods 1
• Algorithmic Thinking
• Introduction to Probability & Statistics
• Introduction to Statistical & Operational Research Methods
Stage 2
Students have a choice from the modules listed, those with an * are compulsory
• Employability for Mathematics
• Linear Algebra *
• Analysis *
• Metric Spaces *
• Group Theory
• Mathematical Methods 2 *
• Classical Mechanics
• Statistical Inference
• Methods of Operational Research
Stage 3
Students can take an approved selection of modules from the list below
• Project
• Investigations
• Rings and Modules
• Dynamical Systems
• Discrete Mathematics
• Numerical Analysis
• Modelling and Simulation
• Financial Mathematics
• Classical Fields
• Quantum Theory
• Set Theory
• Metric and Normed Spaces
• Linear and Dynamic Programming
• Linear Models
• Statistical Data Mining with Machine Learning
• Stochastic Processes and Risk
• Functional Analysis
• Topological Data Analysis
• Statistical Mechanics
• Geometry of Optimisation
• Fourier Analysis and Partial Differential Equations
• Quantum Fields
Contact Teaching Times
Medium Group Teaching
- 4 (hours maximum)
- 4 hours of practical classes, workshops or seminars each week.
Personal Study
- 21 (hours maximum)
- 21 hours studying and revising in your own time each week, including some guided study using handouts, online activities, etc.
Large Group Teaching
- 10 (hours maximum)
- 10 hours of lectures.
Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial
- 1 (hours maximum)
- 1 hour of tutorials (or later, project supervision) each week.
Learning and Teaching
At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.
On the BSc in Mathematics we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:
- Computer based modules
These provide students with the opportunity to develop technical skills and apply theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts. - E-learning technologies
Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Canvas. A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree programme through the use of, for example, interactive support materials and web-based learning activities. - Lectures
These introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers). - Personal Tutor
Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor during Level 1 and Level 2 who meets with them on several occasions during the year to support their academic development. - Self-directed study
This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out. - Tutorials
Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students). These provide an opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers.
Assessment
The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each module. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is available online via the school website.
- Most modules are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of year examinations.
- Some modules (eg, final year Honours Project module) are assessed solely through project work or written assignments.
- Computer Based Assessment
- Some modules use online quizzes/tests as part of the module assessment. This tests basic knowledge, understanding and problem solving.
Feedback
As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and your peers. University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:
- Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted.
- Face to face comment. This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
- Placement employer comments or references.
- Online or emailed comment.
- General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
- Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid. In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time.
- Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
- Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.
- Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Studying for a Maths degree at Queen’s will assist students in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions. Graduates with this degree at Queen’s are well-regarded by many employers (local, national and international) and over half of all graduate jobs are now open to graduates of any discipline, including mathematics.
According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, 5 years after graduation, Maths graduates earn 20 per cent more on average than other graduates (IFS 2018) and are the 3rd highest earners compared to all other subjects.
Although many of our graduates are interested in pursuing careers in teaching, banking and finance, significant numbers develop careers in a wide range of other sectors. The following is just a small selection of the major career sectors that have attracted our graduates in recent years:
Management Consultancy
Export Marketing (NI Programme)
Fast Stream Civil Service
Varied graduate programmes (Times Top 100 Graduate Recruiters/AGR, Association of Graduate Recruiters UK)
Employment after the Course
Typical career destinations of graduates include:
• Teaching
• Finance and Banking (Financial Analyst, Predictive Modelling, Quantitative Analyst)
• Management (Consultancy, Risk Analyst, Insurance)
• Engineering and Information Technology (Data Scientist, Software and Process Engineer)
• Statistics, Market and Operational Research
• Research (academia and industry)
• Government and Defence
• Medical Science
• Export Marketing (NI Programme)
• Varied graduate programmes (Times Top 100 Graduate Recruiters/AGR, Association of Graduate Recruiters UK)
Companies working in the sectors above that often employ our graduates include: AquaQ Analytics, Civil Service Fast Stream, Citi, First Derivatives, AllState, Liberty Insurance, PwC, Santander, Clarus Financial Technologies, Kainos, Teach First.
Prizes and Awards
Top performing students are eligible for a number of prizes within the School.
Degree plus award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.