BSc (Hons)
Mathematics for Finance and Management
The mathematics of high finance and big business
Course Overview
Why take this course?
Are you fascinated by mathematics? Do you also have an interest in business? If so, this course is ideal for you.
You’ll cover the mathematics of high finance and big business – from the mathematical analysis and modelling used to track investments, to the mathematics that managers need to make their budgets work harder.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Have access to ultra-modern computing facilities, and use specialist mathematical and statistical computing packages
- Opt to do a year in industry to gain meaningful work experience and build up your employability skills
- Take the opportunity to assist in a local school as a final-year option
What opportunities might it lead to?
Problem-solving is a key element to a successful business and mathematicians are welcomed in industry, business and commerce for their analytical ability and systematic, logical approach to unravelling complex issues.
Employment prospects are excellent, with most of our graduates securing well-paid posts within commerce, finance, investment analysis, accountancy, actuarial science or management.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- statistics
- finance
- mathematical modelling
- teaching
- working in government research agencies
- marketing
My career ambitions are to do an office/clerical job. Studying mathematics has made me more organised and disciplined to develop my career.
Nicky Pegley, maths student 2013
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- G161
- Duration
- 3 years full time, 4 years sandwich with work placement
- Entry
260-300 points to include 160 points from a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent, one of which must be mathematics.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £8,750 p/a*
International full-time students: £11,000 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- technology.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 2555 - Department
- Mathematics
Subject:
Mathematics and Physics
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- The practical problem-solving approach based on real-world issues
- Approachable lecturers who are doing current research
- Relevant work placements to help build employability skills
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
Year one
In your first year you’ll cover a broad mix of mathematics, mathematical modelling and statistics.
Core units in this year include:
- Mathematical Modelling
Year two
In the second year you will continue to develop skills in core mathematics along with the more specialised themes of mathematics for finance together with financial management and accounting for business.
Core units in this year include:
- Operational Research
- Mathematics for Finance
Options to choose from in this year include:
- Statistics
- Finance
- Cosmology
Year three*
As well as your final year project, you will have a choice from a range of options on pure and applied mathematical topics.
Core units in this year include:
- Financial Derivative Pricing and Planning
- Scheduling
- Supply Chain Management
Options to choose from in this year include:
- Advanced Financial Management
- Operational Research
- Applied Statistics
- History and Philosophy of Mathematics
*This course is also available as a 4-year sandwich (work placement)
Teaching and Assessment
Our friendly and supportive staff will show you how fascinating, yet practical, maths can be. You will be taught through a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials, laboratory and project work, with individual help always available should you need it.
How are you assessed?
We assess you throughout the course to ensure that your knowledge and skills are developing. Here’s how:
- examinations
- written coursework
- multiple-choice tests
- presentations
- mini projects
- a major piece of supervised independent work
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
Specialist Software
Access our modern computing laboratories
Maths Café
Drop in any time to the Maths Café
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books
Specialist Software
Access our modern computing laboratories equipped with a wide range of powerful hardware and software, including multimedia applications. After the necessary training, you will be able to use the computer algebra package MAPLE and the numerical methods and matrix algebra package MATLAB. These are just a few of the programs that will facilitate your learning and bring the subject to life.
Maths Café
Drop in any time and get one-to-one help with that tricky maths or stats problem. With handouts on key topics to take away and computer-aided learning packages, we can get the problem solved and help you improve your numeracy skills.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
You will find that a mathematics degree is very well respected in many areas of employment. Though you may expect the course to open doors in the more traditional areas such as statistics, finance and mathematical modelling, our graduates have in fact pursued careers in such diverse areas as the police, the armed services, marketing and retail management.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- trainee accountant
- financial coordinator
- oil trader
- business analyst
- invoice validator
- teacher
Work experience
Taking a placement year in industry could be one of the best decisions you make as more often than not, it leads to further opportunities after graduation. SPEC, our Student Placement and Employability Centre, not only helps you to arrange your placement but acts as a source of information and guidance throughout the recruitment process and beyond. We help on everything related to employability skills as well as assisting you in gaining other types of work experience.
Types of placement roles that could be relevant to this course include:
- Quality Management Assistant
- Assistant Financial Analyst
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more