BSc Mathematics with Physics

Interactions between mathematics and physics have led to a range of weird and wonderful advances in the sciences, from elementary particle theory to general relativity and non-Euclidean geometry, to the understanding of chaos. At Essex, your ways of thinking will be shifted as you learn about the cosmos, the symmetries of quarks and the complexities of quantum physics.

On our BSc Mathematics with Physics course, you can study a wide range of topics including:

• pure mathematics, including geometry, algebra, analysis and number theory
• quantum mechanics, electronics and analytical mechanics
• further applied mathematical topics such cryptography, mathematical modelling, differential equations and dynamical systems

As well as these mathematical topics, this degree develops your programming skills in languages such as Python, and you learn to solve sophisticated problems using computational toolkits such as MATLAB, Maple and R.

This course can lead to employment opportunities within business, commerce, education, engineering, government service, industry and research as well as from the wider economy.

As part of our School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science, you become a member of an inclusive and approachable research community.

Professional accreditation

This programme will meet the educational requirements of the Chartered Mathematician designation, awarded by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, when it is followed by subsequent training and experience in employment to obtain equivalent competences to those specified by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for taught masters degrees.

Study abroad

Your education extends beyond the university campus. We support you in expanding your education through offering the opportunity to spend a year or a term studying abroad at one of our partner universities. The four-year version of our degree allows you to spend the third year abroad or employed on a placement abroad, while otherwise remaining identical to the three-year course.

Studying abroad allows you to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised.

If you spend a full year abroad you'll only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year. You won't pay any tuition fees to your host university.

Placement year

Alternatively, you can spend your third year on a placement year with an external organisation. This is usually focussed around your course, and enables you to learn about a particular sector, company or job role, apply your academic knowledge in a practical working environment, and receive inspiration for future career pathways.

If you complete a placement year you'll only pay 20% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year.

Our expert staff

As well as being world-class academics, our staff are award-winning teachers. Many of our academics have won national or regional awards for lecturing, and many of them are qualified and accredited teachers – something which is very rare at a university.

Our School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science is genuinely innovative and student-focused. Our research groups are working on a broad range of collaborative areas tackling real-world issues.

• Our data scientists carefully consider how not to lie, and how not to get lied to with data. Interpreting data correctly is especially important because much of our data science research is applied directly or indirectly to social policies, including health, care and education.
• We do practical research with financial data (for example, assessing the risk of collapse of the UK's banking system) as well as theoretical research in financial instruments such as insurance policies or asset portfolios.
• We also research how physical processes develop in time and space. Applications of this range from modelling epilepsy to modelling electronic cables.
• Our optimisation experts work out how to do the same job with less resource, or how to do more with the same resource.
• Our pure maths group are currently working on two new funded projects entitled ‘Machine learning for recognising tangled 3D objects' and ‘Searching for gems in the landscape of cyclically presented groups'.
• We also do research into mathematical education and use exciting technologies such as electroencephalography or eye tracking to measure exactly what a learner is feeling. Our research aims to encourage the implementation of ‘the four Cs' of modern education, which are critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity.

Specialist facilities

• In addition to teaching, we have a Maths Support Centre which offers help to students on a range of mathematical problems. Throughout term time, we can chat through mathematical problems either on a one-to-one or small group basis.
• We have a dedicated social and study space for maths students, situated in the STEM Centre.
• We host regular events and seminars throughout the year.
• Our students run a lively Mathematics Society, an active and social group where you can explore your interest in your subject with other students.

Your future

Clear thinkers are required in every profession, so the successful mathematician has an extensive choice of potential careers.

Mathematics students are in demand from a wide range of employers in a host of occupations, including financial analysis, management, public administration and accountancy. The Council for Mathematical Sciences offers further information on careers in mathematics.

Our recent graduates have gone on to work in a wide range of high-profile roles, including:

• Chartered accountancy
• Investment consultants
• Accounts technicians
• Stock lending analysts

We also work with our University's Student Development Team to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

“My current role is as a Higher Statistical Officer for the Department for Education. My Essex mathematics degree was pivotal for securing this role. The interview process involved technical questions as well as competencies – most of which my examples were based on projects I completed during my degree. The part of my job I enjoy the most is writing code and developing my skills. It’s extremely satisfying creating a bespoke solution that improves the cost/timeliness/automation of a previously poor process. I also enjoy the contextual aspect of my work. The figures I am producing are helping teachers and governors and therefore ultimately improving education for children which I am passionate about.”

Chloe Gates, BSc Mathematics, 2017

Clearing entry requirements

We currently have places available in Clearing across a range of courses, with most offers at BBC–CCD (112–88 UCAS tariff points) or equivalent. Grade requirements may be lower in some cases, and some courses may also have subject specific requirements. We consider each application individually so get in touch if your grades are below those outlined here. .

English language requirements

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.

Details of English language requirements, including component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here

If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.

English language shelf-life

If you require a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.

Pre-sessional English courses

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Pending English language qualifications

You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.

If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please email ugquery@essex.ac.uk .

Requirements for second and final year entry

Different requirements apply for second and final year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK. Details of English language requirements, including UK Visas and Immigration minimum component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here

Additional Notes

If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College

Course structure

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Placement

On a placement year you gain relevant work experience within an external business or organisation, giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market and providing you with key contacts within the industry. The rest of your course remains identical to the three-year degree.

Year abroad

On your year abroad, you have the opportunity to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised. The rest of your course remains identical to the three-year degree.

Teaching

• Undergraduate students in the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science typically attend three taught hours per module per week. This varies by module, e.g. two hours of lectures and one class/lab.
• Take a mathematics careers and employability module, where you compile a portfolio of skills and experience.

Assessment

• Your final mark is a weighted combination of coursework and summer examinations.
• Your first year of study does not count towards your final degree class.
• You receive regular feedback through in-term tests.
• In your final year, you have the opportunity to complete a full-year or one-term project.