Mathematics and Statistics

Welcome to Mathematics and Statistics at Northumbria University.

Mathematics is the language of our data-driven society. Mathematics graduates understand the world in a special way, and their skills are in high demand. According to a report by the Council for Mathematical Sciences, demand is still rising, giving graduates access to a wide range of interesting and rewarding careers boasting excellent salaries.

Our Mathematics degree will build your analytical and quantitative skills, as well as develop you into a problem solver and a flexible thinker. You will explore the elegance of pure mathematics, apply your theories, use computers to solve mathematical equations and cultivate a strong modelling instinct to translate everyday problems into mathematics. Our Mathematics degree also includes the use of modern software, training you on how to efficiently produce solutions and present your work professionally.

Our approach works well with our students and employers, and our Mathematics graduates have gone on to work at Intel, NHS, the financial industry (including Accenture, Ernst & Young, Visa, Procter & Gamble), pharmaceutical companies, UK Government’s Department for Work and Pensions, Government Statistical Service, BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce. We have an Employer Advisory Board to ensure our course content is 100% relevant (members include Hewlett Packard and PriceWaterhouseCoopers).

The first year of the programme focuses on providing you with a strong foundation in pure, applied and computational mathematics as well as probability and statistics. The second year will deepen your mathematical knowledge and give you the opportunity to apply your skills and construct mathematically sound solutions to real-life problems with societal impact. The third year will be tailored around your preference, allowing you to specialise in topical subjects spanning a breadth in mathematical modelling, applied mathematics, financial mathematics, statistics and data science. You will dig even deeper with a supervised specialist project. Recent projects have investigated the volatility of shares, ocean modelling, mathematical modelling of diseases and treatments, network dynamics, crime data analysis, kidney transplant survival data, and Bayesian modelling of Premiere league results. 

There are opportunities to do a work placement year as part of your mathematics course. This is a great way to help build your confidence in essential skills and gain valuable first-hand experience in the workplace. Undertaking a work placement year can help you to stand out to graduate recruiters. Our students have taken up placements with Nissan, Lloyds Bank plc and IBM.

In addition, you will have the option of study abroad at one of our partner institutions in Europe, USA, South East Asia and Australia. Studying abroad is a fantastic way to broaden your cultural awareness, gain experience of a different academic environment, and develop a range of personal and professional skills which enhance your employability.

Northumbria Mathematics Department achieved an overall satisfaction score of 100% (National Student Survey, 2020) and our Mathematics programmes have been ranked 2nd in the North East (24th out of 72 in the country) based on graduate prospects and student satisfaction in the Complete University guide 2022.

Northumbria University - Maths Department from Northumbria University on Vimeo.

What can you do with a mathematics degree? from Northumbria University on Vimeo.