University of Brighton
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Mathematics with Finance
BSc(Hons)

  • Course summary and entry requirements

    Course duration Help

    Full-time: 3 years

    Sandwich: 4 years

    UCAS code G1N3

    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.

    About the course

    Mathematics is an essential tool in financial markets. Events in recent history have shown that there is a need for mathematics graduates who are aware of these analytical techniques, and who understand the underlying theory - both to apply the current methodologies, and to develop improved theories and products.

    Private companies, public corporations, governments and individuals all need to borrow and to lend. The products to meet these needs are defined in mathematical terms, and the more sophisticated modern instruments are based on advanced mathematics.

    Typical entry requirements Help

    The entry requirements listed here are for students starting their course in 2013. Individual offers may vary

    A-levels:
    ABB. Must include grade B in mathematics at A-level. Free-standing mathematics units are excluded. Applicants with only two full A-levels or a double award will be considered on an individual basis.

    International Baccalaureate:
    34 points, specified subjects.

    QAA-approved access course:
    individual assessment.

    GCSE (minimum grade C):
    at least three subjects including mathematics and English language.

    Foundation degree/HND
    direct to year 2 or 3. HNC may also count towards direct entry.

    For non-native speakers of English:
    IELTS 6.0 overall, with 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements.

  • Course content

    Course structure

    For the first two years of the course, the emphasis is on developing essential knowledge and techniques in mathematics and finance. This provides a solid foundation for later specialisation in the final year.

    At the beginning of the second year, you may opt for the four-year degree which involves undertaking a paid work placement in year 3. Our dedicated placements unit identifies suitable employers and will support you during all stages of your placement The placement allows you to put the knowledge and techniques that you have learned into practice and to gain some useful contacts in the work place.

    In the final year you will take a module in Finance and Risk Management and have a wide choice of optional modules. You will also undertake a major individual project supervised by an academic member of staff.

    Areas of study

    This course ensures a sound basis of analytical mathematical techniques, probability and statistics, backed up by strong IT support. Specialist modules in Economics, Financial Management and Accounting combine technical and practical aspects.

    A wide range of computer packages are used for modelling and statistical analysis and there is a strong focus on presentation skills and communication.

    Syllabus

    Years 1 and 2
    Applications of Mathematics
    Applications of Statistics
    Discrete Mathematics
    Introduction to Analysis
    Mathematical Methods
    Introduction to Linear Algebra
    Probability and Statistics
    Financial Accounting
    Operational Research
    Management Accounting
    Analysis
    Linear Algebra
    Numerical Analysis
    Statistical Modelling
    Economics
    Corporate and Business Law
    Financial Decision-making

    Optional placement year

    Final year
    Project
    Options from:
    Topics in Abstract Algebra
    Nonlinear Optimisation
    Graph Theory and Applications
    Decision Support
    Foundations of Mathematics
    Functions of a Complex Variable
    Topology
    Time Series and Forecasting
    Medical Statistics
    Statistical Modelling
    Stochastic Methods
    The Mathematics of Finance
    History and Philosophy of Mathematics
    Partial Differential Equations
    International Finance
    Electronic Commerce
    Game Theory in Finance
    Cost Management
    Entrepreneurship
    Management and Cost Accounting
    Auditing

    You can view the programme specification for this course as a PDF file by clicking on the link below:

    Programme Specification

  • Fees and costs

    The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2012-13. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

    The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

    What's included in the fee?

    When costs such as health or criminal record checks, field trips or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

    You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply please check with the school that provides your course using the contact details on the left of this page for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

    Our website www.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.

    BSc Hons Mathematics with Finance  [J4EG025]
    UK/EU 9,000 GBP
    Island Students 9,000 GBP
    International 12,500 GBP

    If you choose to take the professional placement (sandwich) year offered on this course you will pay a reduced fee during this year. Our fee for the professional placement year is currently £750 for Home and Island Students and £1,760 for International students. This fee may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

  • Location

    Location Help Moulsecoomb

    Located to the north of Brighton city centre, the Moulsecoomb campus offers students an excellent learning environment and a wide range of facilities. It is the largest of our five campuses with over 8,000 students.

    View campus maps and directions

    Living in Brighton

    Brighton’s rich mix of historic architecture, lively arts scene, varied shopping and cosmopolitan community make it a vibrant, enjoyable place to live. It is no wonder that many Brighton graduates choose to stay here.

    Social scene

    Alongside the traditional seaside attractions, Brighton is famed for its exciting social scene with a wide choice of pubs, clubs and restaurants.

    Music event on the beach

    Arts

    The highlight of the city’s cultural year is the Brighton Festival. The event is held each May and is England’s biggest arts festival, which showcases arts and performance from around the world. Brighton is also home to the UK’s oldest working cinema, the Duke of York’s, which shows alternative and mainstream films. The city is also well known for its exciting music scene and hosts The Great Escape music festival.

    Burning the Clocks winter solstice festival

    Sports

    Whether you take your sport seriously or just want to keep fit, Brighton offers all kinds of sports opportunities and facilities, on and off campus. You can also make the most of the location, and play volleyball, basketball and windsurfing down by the beach. The seafront is also the finishing point for the famous London – Brighton bicycle ride and the quirky veteran car run.

    Playing volleyball on the seafront

  • Student views

    Samantha

    I decided to study at Brighton on the main principle that they offered a placement scheme with good support of how to get one and help if I needed it while on placement.

    I completed a placement at Lloyds TSB based mainly in Brighton but some days in London. I was in the Credit Risk department largely in the Credit Card section where I was in charge of management information (MI) for the risk of new business. This included monthly reporting and I used a range of skills to accomplish this including statistical programming.

    My team and I were in charge of implementing strategies to control the risk of new credit card customers coming in.We would do this by segmenting the new business population and giving different strategies to the different segments to better target the appropriate product (if any) to the customer. I used SAS, SQL and Excel on a daily basis to do analysis on different projects and the monthly MI. I also attended 3 courses; a SAS course in Maidenhead, a SQL course in Bristol and a credit risk course near Heathrow.

    I thoroughly enjoyed my placement and learned so much. I now have more confidence in myself and my abilities and feel better prepared for the world when I graduate this summer.

    Melody Adams

    My course provided me with skills and knowledge and mathematical rigour that put me at an advantage in both obtaining my job and performing well in it. I gained a solid grasp of the mechanisms behind the major markets and the mathematics behind asset pricing.

    Quantitative skills are regarded highly in this type of work as financial markets develop and become increasingly complex. The university provided me with the resources and supervision I needed to complete a finance-orientated dissertation in my final year enabling me to develop skills in my area of interest.

    I started my graduate job as an investment analyst at Credaris Portfolio Management based in Mayfair, London. The company manages portfolios of credit derivative assets; these are assets derived from the credit worthiness of a company. No two days are the same, making it a fresh and dynamic place to work

  • Career opportunities

    In the last two decades the growth of financial derivatives, futures and options has fuelled the demand for graduates able to deal with the mathematics which underpins these financial products.

    Visit the careers service website.

Application process
Book your open day place
Find out more

01273 642428
Email cemadmissions@brighton.ac.uk

If you are an international student, contact us on:

+44 (0) 207 250 6749
international@brighton.ac.uk

 

Visit the school that delivers this course

Six reasons to study mathematics at the University of Brighton