Mathematics MMath
MMath Mathematics
Overview
If you've got a head for numbers and want to see where your mathematical skills can take you professionally, this 4-year MMath Mathematics integrated Master's degree course is the ideal choice.
The course combines undergraduate and postgraduate study into a single programme. You'll develop your mathematical, analytical and problem-solving skills and get an in-depth knowledge of calculus, algebra and computational mathematics.
When you graduate you'll be eligible for Chartered Mathematician status and could use your mathematical prowess in fields such as pharmaceutical research, financial services, operational research, meteorology and engineering design.
What you'll experience
On this course you'll:
- Choose units that match your interests and career ambitions, and cover topics such as statistics, operational research and modelling
- Have access to our computing labs, harnessing powerful hardware and software to unpick complex mathematical problems
- Have the option to take an undergraduate ambassador unit in your third year and spend rewarding time in a local school
- Get training in advanced mathematical and statistical software, such as Mathematica, MAPLE, MATLAB, as well as industry standard statistical and operational research software
- Spend your penultimate year learning advanced principles, then focus your studies on your project choice in your final year
Work experience and career planning
To give you the best chance of securing a great job when you graduate, our Careers and Employability service can help you find relevant work experience during your course.
We can help you identify placements, internships, voluntary opportunities that will complement your studies and make you more employable when you graduate.
Placement year
After your second year, you can do an optional work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience in the industry.
Previous students have been on placement with prestigious household names, including:
- IBM
- L’Oréal
- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
- Transport for London
We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your aspirations. You’ll get mentoring and support throughout the year.
Careers and opportunities
Mathematics graduates are valuable in many different areas of business. When you finish the course, our careers and employability service can help you find a job or PhD research position that puts your skills to work.
Past students on this course have gone into areas such as:
- operational research
- medical statistics in pharmaceutical companies
- meteorology
- engineering design
- academic research
- accounting
- insurance
- retail management
- government research
After you the leave the University, you'll get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career.
Professional accreditations
This course is accredited by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, the UK's professional body for mathematicians. This assures employers that you have the skill, experience and professionalism to work as a professional mathematician. It also allows you to become a Chartered Mathematician (CMath) after the course.Entry requirements
- 128-144 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent, with 40 points from Mathematics.
See the other qualifications we accept
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications
Course costs
Tuition fees (2019 start)
- UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £14,700 per year (subject to annual increase)
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 units a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each unit.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
What you'll study
Each unit on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
In each year, you need to study units worth a total of 120 credits. For example, 4 units worth 20 credits and 1 unit worth 40 credits.
Core units in this year include:
- Fundamental Calculus
- Linear Algebra
- Mathematical Foundations
- Mathematical Models
- Computational Mathematics
- Introduction to Statistical Theory and Methods
There are no optional units in this year.
Core units in this year include:
- Applied Mathematics
- Intermediate Calculus
- Mathematics Graduates and Employment
- Numerical Analysis
- Real and Complex Analysis
Optional units in this year currently include:
- Algebraic Structures and Discrete Mathematics
- Operational Research
- Statistical Theory and Methods II
- Universe: Planetary Systems, Stars and Galaxies
Core units in this year include:
- Final Year Project
- Nonlinear Dynamics
- Partial Differential Equations and Their Applications
Optional units in this year currently include:
- Advanced Analysis
- History and Philosophy of Mathematics
- Modern Astrophysics
- Stochastic Processes
- Undergraduate Ambassador
Core units in this year include:
- Advanced Mathematical Methods
- Dissertation
- Fluid Mechanics
- Mathematical Modelling
- Scientific Computing and Data Analytics
There are no optional units in this year.
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry and some optional units may not run every year. If a unit doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative unit.
Learning support
As well as support by faculty teaching staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University’s Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- academic writing
- note taking
- time management
- critical thinking
- presentation skills
- referencing
- working in groups
- revision, memory and exam techniques
Maths and stats support
The Maths Cafe offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop or use our online resources.
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- seminars
- independent study
How you'll spend your time
Each academic year is divided into 2 teaching blocks and an assessment period:
- Autumn teaching block – September to December
- Spring teaching block – January to Easter
- Assessment period – Easter to June
Most teaching takes place during the day, Monday to Friday. You may occasionally need to go to University and course events in the evenings and at weekends.
Your workload
The time you spend in teaching activities such as lectures and seminars varies year on year and will depend on which optional units you select. As a guide, students on this course last year typically spent their time as follows:
- Year 1 students: 35% in lectures, seminars and similar learning activities and 65% studying independently
- Year 2 students: 28% in lectures, seminars and similar learning activities and 72% studying independently
- Year 3 students: 24% in lectures, seminars and similar learning activities and 76% studying independently
- Year 4 students:100% studying independently
How you're assessed
You’ll be assessed through:
- written exams
- practical exams
- coursework
- in-class tests
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
The way you’re assessed may depend on the units you select. As a guide, students on this course last year were typically assessed as follows:
- Year 1 students: 65% by written exams and 35% by coursework
- Year 2 students: 58% by written exams and 42% by coursework
- Year 3 students: 68% by written exams, 2% by practical exams and 30% by coursework
- Year 4 students: 100% by coursework
Apply
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to our terms and conditions as well as the University’s policies, rules and regulations. You should read and consider these before you apply.
To start in 2019 you need to apply through UCAS. You’ll need:
- the UCAS course code – GG10
- our institution code – P80
You can start your application now and submit it later if you want.
Not quite ready to apply?
Come to an Open Day to explore our course facilities, tour the campus and have a look around our halls of residence.
If you’re new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
If you're from outside of the UK, you can apply for this course through UCAS (see the 'How to apply' section above for details). You can also apply directly to us or you can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
