Mathematics

Mathematics is the discipline of precise reasoning about abstract structures, and it is one of the oldest and most enduring of human intellectual endeavours. At the undergraduate level it encompasses a remarkable range of territory, from the rigorous proof-based work of pure mathematics, which explores algebra, analysis, topology and number theory for their intrinsic interest and beauty, to applied mathematics, which uses mathematical tools to model the physical world, and to statistics and probability, which provide the foundations for reasoning under uncertainty. What unites these branches is the discipline of argument: in mathematics, a claim is only as good as its proof.

At Bristol this three-year full-time programme offers a rigorous foundation across the full range of the discipline, allowing you to explore different areas in the early years before choosing where to concentrate your efforts. You will develop facility with abstraction, with the construction and evaluation of proofs, and with the mathematical techniques that underpin fields as diverse as physics, economics, computer science and biology. Bristol is a research-intensive university with strong mathematical departments, and the programme benefits from being taught by active researchers.

A typical entry tariff of 184 points reflects the competitive and intellectually demanding nature of the course.

Mathematics graduates are among the most versatile in the job market, because the skills the degree develops, logical rigour, quantitative facility, the ability to work through complex problems systematically, are valued across a wide range of fields. Common career destinations include actuarial work, financial services, data science, software engineering, cryptography, teaching, the civil service and academic research. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in mathematics, statistics, operational research, finance, economics or computer science.

The degree is recognised as one of the most intellectually demanding and professionally rewarding that a student can pursue.