BSc Applied Mathematics
UCAS code: G120
Duration: 4 years
Delivery: Full-time
School: Mathematics
College: Science and Engineering
Introducing BSc Applied Mathematics
Mathematics at university encourages you to think in an entirely different way.
As well as developing a rigorous mindset, a mathematics degree introduces you to new mathematical concepts and delves into areas you won’t have explored at school.
This new way of approaching and analysing complex problems is a particularly valuable skill, applicable to many exciting career paths. This makes maths graduates extremely employable.
Areas of study
This programme covers a broad spectrum of mathematical topics, from abstract methods to numerical computation. It also emphasises their application to real-world problems.
The modular structure allows you to specialise in areas of particular interest, such as mathematical biology or scientific computing.
Optional courses
In addition to your mathematics courses in Years 1 and 2, you will study courses in other subjects. These may be in related areas such as physics or informatics, or from the wide and varied range offered across the University - such as philosophy, economics or languages.
From Year 3 onwards, you will study your degree subject only.
Flexibility between BSc and MMath
It is possible to change between the BSc and MMath Applied Mathematics programmes up until the beginning of Year 4, subject to strong academic performance.
Second Year Entry
Well-prepared applicants can enter this programme in Year 2 and follow an accelerated programme. On this route, you will focus on mathematics from the beginning rather than studying a range of subjects in your first and second years.
On the accelerated programme, we support your Year 2 mathematics courses with extra courses covering the key ideas in algebra, calculus and proofs from Year 1 of the programme.
This is a four-year programme.
In the first two years, you will study mathematics alongside outside subjects. At this stage, the maths courses are compulsory. This allows you to develop as a well-rounded mathematician and widens your options for specialisation later in the programme.
From Year 3 onwards, you will study mathematics only. This is where you can begin to specialise in an area of mathematics, while still taking some core compulsory courses. This enables you to have free choice of courses in Year 4, when you can specialise in your particular area of interest.
Year 1
You will take three compulsory courses:
- Introduction to Linear Algebra
- Calculus and its Applications
- Proofs and Problem Solving
These are common to all our mathematics programmes and will take up half of your timetable.
They build on your knowledge of pure mathematics and introduce you to the more rigorous ways of mathematical thinking required at university level.
Optional courses
The remainder of your timetable will usually be made up of subjects other than mathematics. We do, however, offer optional mathematics courses, such as:
- Introduction to Data Science - where you will learn to collect and explore data, before using models and predictions to make rigorous conclusions.
- Fundamentals of Algebra and Calculus - an online, introductory course that provides extra preparation in key topics from advanced high school-level mathematics and supports your transition to university.
Support
You will receive support from the MathsBase, our popular walk-in help centre, and from our Mathematics Student Support Team.
Year 1 students also have the option of taking part in the peer-assisted learning scheme, MathPALS.
Year 2
You will spend between half and two-thirds of your time on mathematics.
The following courses are compulsory. They extend your knowledge of calculus, probability and analysis and introduce you to the abstract ideas of group theory. They also cover topics in statistics and applied mathematics.
- Fundamentals of Pure Mathematics
- Several Variable Calculus and Differential Equations
- Statistics
- Computing and Numerics
- Probability
- Facets of Mathematics
The rest of your time will be made up of a combination of optional mathematics courses or subjects other than mathematics.
Support
From this year onwards you can use the MathsHub, our student-run social centre and workspace.
Second Year Entry
For students taking the accelerated programme, you will study the compulsory Year 2 mathematics courses* as well as courses that cover the compulsory material from Year 1:
- Accelerated Algebra and Calculus
- Accelerated Proofs and Problem Solving
As a result, you will have very little time left to study other subjects. Most students have space for just one course from another subject.
*The Facets of Mathematics course is not compulsory for second-year entry students.
Year 3
From this point onwards, you will focus on the main subjects of your programme.
You will study five compulsory mathematics courses:
- Honours Algebra
- Honours Analysis
- Honours Complex Variables
- Numerical Ordinary Differential Equations and Applications
- Numerical Linear Algebra
These courses provide an excellent grounding in advanced applied mathematics and prepare you for the options available later in your programme.
Each honours course contains a skills component. This enables you to develop valuable employability skills such as:
- programming
- group work
- presentation skills
Optional courses
The rest of your time will be spent studying other courses from the School of Mathematics. This is when you will begin to specialise and narrow your mathematical focus.
Current optional courses include:
- Financial Mathematics
- Introduction to Number Theory
- Statistical Computing
Year 4
You will complete a substantial research project in an area of applied mathematics.
As this is a specialised mathematics programme, you are required to take mostly applied mathematics courses in your final year.
Our course selection is influenced by the varied research interests in our school and you will be able to follow a programme that suits your particular interests and career aspirations. We offer a large selection of courses in:
- applied mathematics
- statistics
- operational research
- financial mathematics
- mathematical biology
- mathematical education
Current course options include:
- Stochastic Modelling
- Mathematical Biology
- Machine Learning in Python
- Applied Dynamical Systems
Our facilities
In Year 1, mathematics classes typically take place in the University's Central Area.
In subsequent years, mathematics teaching takes place at the King's Buildings campus, often in the James Clerk Maxwell Building where the School of Mathematics is located.
Please note that your outside subjects in Years 1 and 2 may be taught on other campuses, so you may need to travel between locations.
Mathematics facilities
In addition to the University's extensive libraries and computer facilities, you will have access to the School of Mathematics’ facilities: MathsBase and MathsHub.
MathsBase
MathsBase is a large study space in the Central Area for students studying mathematics in Year 1. Here you will find:
- lots of desk space
- whiteboard walls
- a walk-in help centre where you can get support from a tutor
- our peer-assisted learning scheme MathPALS
MathsHub
MathsHub is in the James Clark Maxwell Building and is for mathematics students in Years 2 and above. It includes:
- a common room style space
- a kitchen
- study space
Take a closer look at our facilities on the University’s Virtual Visit site.
Study abroad
You will have opportunities to study abroad through exchange programmes. Our students have recently completed placements in:
- California
- Sydney
- British Columbia
Exchanges are typically taken in Year 3, before returning to Edinburgh to complete Year 4. They are available to students on both the broad programme and the accelerated programme (second-year entry).
How will I learn?
Mathematics is taught through a mixture of lectures and workshops.
You will have approximately 15 hours of teaching each week, though this will vary depending on your year of study and which outside subjects you choose.
Year 1
In Year 1, lectures are usually interactive; lecturers use online voting systems and encourage small-group discussion to improve your understanding of core material.
These lectures are linked to your subject reading, and so you will be familiar with the content before you arrive.
Year 2 onwards
Lectures in later years follow a more 'traditional' lecturing style but occasionally incorporate the voting system.
Lectures are supported by small-group workshops. These sessions give you the opportunity to apply the concepts you have learned in lectures, and to develop your understanding. You will work with 5-6 other students, with a tutor on hand to support you and answer questions.
Peer collaboration
We encourage students to work collaboratively outside of lectures, and provide spaces like the MathsBase and MathsHub to enable this.
Year 1 students also have the option to:
- take part in our peer-assisted learning scheme, MathPALS
- make use of our drop-in tutor sessions in the MathsBase.
Hybrid teaching
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the School of Mathematics is currently operating a hybrid teaching model which includes a mixture of in-person and digital teaching.
It is likely that our hybrid teaching model will change. Our school is home to world-leading experts in technology-enhanced mathematical education and we are prepared for many situations. We will adapt quickly and effectively, as required.
Online lectures
Mathematics lectures currently take place on digital platforms. This is because of the impossibility of social distancing in a lecture theatre containing several hundred students.
We are conscious of the difficulties of digital learning so lecture content is pre-recorded and offered in short, manageable chunks. This stops you being faced with hours of back-to-back lectures. Online lectures continue to be linked to subject reading and interactive activities.
Hybrid workshops
We offer in-person workshops as much as possible, subject to health and safety guidance from the Scottish Government. We provide digital workshops for those who are unable to travel to Edinburgh or who are self-isolating. Digital workshops continue to feature collaborative learning and are facilitated by easy-to-use online whiteboards.
How will I be assessed?
In Years 1 and 2, Mathematics has mainly ‘open book’ exams where you can use your textbook and notes. This allows you to concentrate on understanding and using the ideas and concepts, instead of just memorising procedures.
Most courses have regular assessments (both written and online) so you can get feedback on your progress. These typically count for a small part of your course grade.
After Year 1, some courses are assessed entirely by coursework - usually reports or presentations.
Programme details
Find out more about this programme's aims, what you will learn, how you will be assessed and what skills and knowledge you will develop.
To give you an idea of what to expect from this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.
As a mathematics graduate, you will have a wide range of careers open to you.
You will develop skills that are highly sought-after by employers:
- logical and analytic abilities
- programming
- data analysis
- presentation skills
- practical problem-solving
Many recent graduates have been employed by large firms in the financial sector. Others have gone into fields including:
- software engineering
- logistics
- education
- the civil service
We regularly invite alumni back to share their experiences and showcase the breadth of careers available to you.
Enhance your CV
Within the School of Mathematics, you will get many opportunities to develop your skills and enhance your CV.
- Share your love of mathematics by working with the wider community as a member of our Outreach Team.
- Join our team of Student Ambassadors and enthuse prospective students.
- Become a MathPALS leader and support Year 1 students.
- Apply for a project scholarship and work with a lecturer during the summer.
Standard entry requirement
The standard entry requirement is:
- SQA Highers: AAAA - AAAB (achievement by end of S5 preferred). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
- A Levels: A*AA - A*AB.
- IB: 37 points with 666 at HL - 34 points with 655 at HL.
Minimum entry requirement
The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:
- SQA Highers: AABB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
- A Levels: A*AB.
- IB: 32 points with 655 at HL.
More information for widening access applicants
Required subjects
The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:
- SQA: Highers: Mathematics at A. Higher Applications of Mathematics is not accepted in place of Higher Mathematics. Advanced Higher Mathematics is recommended. National 5s: English at C.
- A Levels: Mathematics at A*. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
- IB: HL: Mathematics (from 2021, Mathematics: Analysis and approaches only) at 6. SL: English at 5.
Find out more about entry requirements
International applicants
We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Mature applicants
We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.
For direct entry to second year the standard requirements must be exceeded, including the following:
- SQA Advanced Highers: AAA to include Mathematics. One further science subject is recommended.
- A Levels: A*AA in one set of exams to include Mathematics at A* and Further Mathematics at A.
- IB: 38 points with 766 at HL to include Mathematics at 7 (from 2021, Mathematics: Analysis and approaches only). Further Mathematics is recommended.
Other entry pathways
Entry to many degrees in Science & Engineering is possible via other qualifications (eg HNC/D, Access, SWAP).
You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.
SQA, GCSE and IB
For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:
- SQA National 5 at C
- SQA Standard Grade at 3
- SQA Intermediate 1 at A
- SQA Intermediate 2 at C
- GCSE at C or 4
- Level 2 Certificate at C
- IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)
English language tests
We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
- IELTS Academic module overall 6.5 with 5.5 in each component
- TOEFL-iBT (including Special Home Edition) 92 or above with 20 in each section. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
- Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component
- Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components
We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.
English language qualifications must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the degree you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.
It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.
Please note that some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees for BSc Applied Mathematics
Additional costs
You should expect to purchase the necessary textbooks for some components of your programme.
Due to the current hybrid teaching model, you may also need access to a laptop and digital writing device to take part in online workshops. We offer a loan scheme for these items.
Funding
For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.
- Enquiry Management Team
- Email: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
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