Mathematics and Statistics & Operational Research
Mathematics and Statistics and Operational Research is a degree that develops quantitative and analytical skills across three deeply related disciplines, giving you a range of tools for making sound decisions in the face of complexity, uncertainty, and large amounts of data. Mathematics provides the logical foundations and the techniques, from calculus and linear algebra to number theory and abstract structures, that underpin all quantitative reasoning. Statistics develops the methods for drawing valid inferences from data, understanding variability, and testing hypotheses rigorously.
Operational research applies mathematical and statistical modelling to the optimisation and management of complex real-world systems, from supply chains and logistics to healthcare and finance.
At Queen's University Belfast, this three-year, full-time programme focuses on mathematical and statistical approaches for quantitative management, developing skills that are central to modern science, industry, and commerce. You will learn to formulate problems in mathematical and statistical terms, to develop and solve models, and to communicate results and recommendations to non-specialist audiences. The programme covers a range of topics including statistical inference, probability theory, linear programming, simulation, and the mathematical modelling of complex systems.
Belfast's academic environment and the programme's strong applied orientation prepare graduates for roles where quantitative rigour is combined with practical problem-solving.
Graduates of Mathematics and Statistics and Operational Research work in data science, financial modelling, actuarial science, supply chain management, logistics, healthcare analytics, defence, and government. The combination of statistical and operational research skills is particularly valued by organisations that need to optimise complex systems or make decisions under uncertainty. Many graduates pursue professional qualifications in statistics, actuarial science, or operational research, and others continue to postgraduate study in mathematics, data science, or a field that applies quantitative methods such as finance, epidemiology, or transport planning.