About this course
Every journey starts with a single step and your foundation year is just the start. You’ll focus on mathematics while exploring science. This combination gets you off to a flying start as you move on to BSc (Hons) Financial Mathematics in your second year.
You’ll take part in a series of projects both individually and in a group – some set by industry and some based on real world-scenarios. This develops your problem-solving and creative thinking skills whilst providing a practical focus.
If you find financial mathematics isn’t for you, we can support you to move into one of our other mathematics courses at the end of your foundation year.
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Top 20 in the UK for teaching quality in Mathematics (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024) -
We offer Mathematics Undergraduate Research Scholarships (MURS) - funding for a short research placement. It's an opportunity to further your research interests and contribute to the department. -
Join our Mathematics Society, and you’ll have the opportunity to take part in regular events hosted on campus by the local branch of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications.
What you’ll study
The financial services industry makes a significant contribution to the UK economy, and effective financial management is vital to the success of any business. That’s why skilled financial mathematicians are in such high demand. This course gives you a broad knowledge of financial mathematics in accountancy practice, the operations of financial markets, and the wider business environment, so that when you graduate you’ll have a solid but flexible knowledge base that will put you in a fantastic position to get the job that you want.
After your foundation year, you’ll explore a wide range of mathematical techniques and applications. Then, in your final year, you’ll get to choose a number of specialist modules depending on your own personal preferences and career aspirations.
Study abroad opportunities
Get ready to embark on an adventure with our study abroad programs at partner universities or by getting a work placement overseas. Both opportunities will boost your employability, build lifelong friendships, and allow you to experience the world in a whole new way.
Introductory Mathematics (20 credit points)
This module provides an introduction to important mathematical ideas, including Algebraic rearrangement, Trigonometry, Vectors, Descriptive Statistics, Integration and Differentiation. You’ll gain an understanding of ideas that form the basis of later, more specialised, developments and you’ll be able to solve simple but realistic mathematical problems.
Intermediate Mathematics (20 cp)
This module aims to provide the link between Introductory Mathematics and degree-level Mathematics. You’ll cover more complex topics such as the chain rule and integration by parts, the generalisation of vectors to matrices, the approximation of numerical series, logic and probability, complex numbers and mathematical proof.
Computational Mathematics (20 cp)
A hands-on introduction to ideas and skills which cross Mathematics, Physics and Computing. Using software such as Excel and Matlab, you’ll learn about mathematical ideas like matrices and the consideration of how physical systems can be represented mathematically.
Introduction to Programming (20 cp)
Learn how to design, code, test and debug basic Python language programs. In the first part of this module, you’ll look at the basics of Python such as text strings, loops and functions. In the second part of the module, you’ll be introduced to maths-related Python libraries such as pandas, scipy.stats and matplotlib.
Practical and Professional Skills (20 cp)
This module aims to provide a link between the theoretical modules in the course and their practical implementation. The professional skills aspect will help you with interpreting coursework requirements, exam and revision techniques, note-taking and referencing. The practical sessions will cover a variety of topics that require you to make use of the scientific principles and mathematical techniques that you’re learning in the other modules on the course.
Calculus (20 credit points)
In this module you’ll study methods of differentiation and integration, from the fundamental principles, to integrating and differentiating complicated functions. Ordinary differential equations will be looked at and in combination with material you’ll learn how to solve these new types of equations.
Data Analysis (20 cp)
Introduction to Linear Algebra and Computation (20 cp)
Studying Linear Algebra gives you a great base knowledge you’ll use in many modules during your course. Concepts include complex numbers, vectors and matrices. Using mathematical software packages you’ll focus on computational and numerical methods that can be used to find approximate solutions to problems that cannot be solved analytically.
Introduction to Discrete Mathematics and its Applications (20 cp)
You’ll start by learning how to program using Python before investigating discrete mathematics problems. Working in groups, you’ll discover potential solutions which you’ll use algorithms in Python to computerise your solutions.
Introduction to Economics and Finance (20 cp)
Gain knowledge of national and international economic systems including implications for individual industries and companies. You’ll study digital economy characteristics in comparison to traditional economic activity. Analytical, numerical and IT skills used in the study of business data will be developed.
Accounting and Finance for Managers (20 cp)
Core modules
Differential Equations (20 cp)
Extend your knowledge of calculus, differential equations and linear algebra, and gain an introduction to difference equations, the Eigen problem and transform methods.
Probability and Statistical Inference (20 cp)
Refine your knowledge of statistical inference and statistical modelling and further develop essential computational and IT skills.
Mathematical Enterprise (20 cp)
In this module you’ll work in small teams to develop a plan for a new business or enterprise, using your mathematical skills to showcase the viability of your venture. This module is run in conjunction with Nottingham's Creative Quarter and you’ll work with several local businesses to create business plans.
Discrete-Time Financial Mathematics (20 cp)
Optional modules - choose one:
Linear Algebra and its Applications (20 cp)
This module will build your conceptual and technical background, and, in particular, work on vector spaces will be extended and generalised to linear transformations. You will be introduced to coding theory by applying linear algebra to linear codes.
Cryptography and Computational Complexity (20 cp)
Learn how to select and apply appropriate techniques and use computer programming and specialist mathematical software to help solve problems. You’ll look at the need to develop more and more sophisticated ways of protecting information through cryptography. Analyse the hardness and limitations of mathematical algorithms using computational complexity theory.
Optional modules - choose one:
Corporate Financial Analysis (20 cp)
You’ll be introduced to the critical analysis of company annual reports and accounts. Investigating how financial performance and health is reported by businesses you’ll develop an understanding of the types of decision that are made from the perspectives of corporate business and account users.
Financial Management (20 cp)
In this module you’ll assessing the value creation activity of organisations through their investment and financing strategies. You’ll focus on financial theories and how to apply them through case studies and studying actual companies and their financial management.
Core modules
Project and Professional Skills (40 cp)
Immerse yourself in a substantial mathematics project with dedicated support and supervision. The project will showcase your skills, knowledge, and problem-solving abilities. You’ll also take part in activities to explore your career options after graduation.
Medical Statistics and Financial Modeling (20 cp)
You’ll study statistical techniques appropriate for medical and financial data, including the analysis of survival data and dealing with large complex datasets.
Continuous-Time Financial Mathematics (20 cp)
Optional modules - choose one:
Experimental Design and Machine Learning (20 cp)
In this module you’ll be introduced methods of experimental design and their application in industrial and commercial situations. You’ll learn the methodology and techniques to design, conduct and analyse an experiment before applying statistical analysis to your results.
Stochastic Processes (20 cp)
Extend your understanding of probabilistic modelling to include stochastic processes and learn advanced techniques for investigating the behaviour of stochastic processes.
Linear Systems (20 cp)
You will continue your previous studies in linear algebra and differential and difference equations.
Optimisation (20 cp)
The optimisation is the art of optimal decision-making under constraints. This module introduces you to optimisation, focussing on the theoretical foundations of the subject, the practical modelling aspects, and the algorithm analysis and design.
Optional modules - choose one:
Corporate Finance (20 cp)
This module evaluates the impact of financial decisions on investments, financing, and risk management, developing your critical analysis and evaluation skills. You’ll study valuations of firms, merger and acquisitions, financial restructuring and risk theory.
Investment and Portfolio Management (20 cp)
During this module, you’ll put theory into practice by constructing and running a portfolio of equities. You’ll examine the relevance of modern finance theory and analyse how securities can be structured in portfolios and how portfolios can be managed.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
How you're taught
You’ll learn through a mix of:
- lectures - covering the key theories
- seminars - smaller-group sessions perfect for learning key skills and collaborative working
- practical sessions - using our extensive range of industry-standard facilities
- workshops - this includes surgery sessions where you’ll meet with your lecturer in small groups to discuss any problems or work through challenging topics.
The rest of your time will be spent carrying out independent study such as reading textbooks and lecture notes, and working on exercises.
Learn a new language
Alongside your study, you also have the opportunity to learn a new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have. Find out more about ULP.
How you're assessed
People excel in different ways, and we want everybody to have the best possible chance of success. That’s why we’ve adopted a range of assessment types, including:
- coursework, including group projects, case studies, dissertation and other assignments
- practical assessments, such as individual and group projects and presentations.
- exams and tests, including formal exams, written tests and multiple-choice.
Careers and employability
Your career development
Our recent graduates have secured roles at companies including:
- Bradford and Bingley
- Brackman Chopra LLP
- Home Retail Group
- NHS
- Camelot Group plc
- Pendragon PLC
- Nottingham Building Society
They have also started careers in:
- industrial and commercial mathematics
- statistical applications systems modelling
- software engineering
- telecommunications
- IT applications
- teaching and research.
They have gone into a wide variety of job roles including:
- Portfolio Officer
- Management Information Assistant
- Trainee Accountant
- Finance Officer
- Risk Analyst
- Procurement Analyser
- Accounts Executive
Many graduates choose to undertake further study on one of our Masters-level courses or MPhil and PhD research degrees.
What our students say
"The content we studied in my final year was absolutely vital in getting the job I have today. The course is very applicable when applying for positions outside of the university. If you're interested in mathematics I really can't recommend this course enough.
"In addition, I love Nottingham – it's a fantastic city and I didn't have any questions at all about staying here when I graduated. When looking for jobs my number one priority was staying in this city."
Duncan Bell, NTU Mathematics graduate
Credit Scoring and Strategy Analyst
Placements
NTU is one of the most employment-focused universities. Increasingly, employers want to recruit graduates who have real-world work experience. That’s why all of our courses, across every subject area, offer you a work experience opportunity. Our experts help build and support your future with a range of career programmes and events.
On this course, after your third year, you will have the opportunity to take a year's work placement (sandwich placement). This will give you the chance to gain vital experience and put your knowledge into practice. You're also twice as likely to secure a graduate job within six months if you take a work placement.
Our recent students have taken placements across a wide range of companies including Xerox, Peugeot Citroen and British Car Auctions. They secured varied roles such as Finance Industrial Placement Student, Fleet Tender Assistant and Data Scientists.
You'll be supported and assessed throughout your placement year and will write a reflective report and diary at the end of your placement. When you successfully complete your placement, you will be eligible to receive an additional award of a Diploma in Professional Practice.
Find out more about work placements.
Mathematics Undergraduate Researchers Studentship (MURS)
You will be able to apply for MURS Programme - a funded opportunity to collaborate with academic staff on cutting-edge research projects. It's a structured 6-8 weeks summer programme for second year students, during which, you will meet weekly with your supervisor for mentorship and guidance. These sessions are tailored to your chosen project's needs and the supervisor's approach. It is an additional skill building opportunity that will equip you with essential skills to tackle active research problems and master the art of conducting mathematical research.
NTU Enterprise
You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.
Campus and facilities
You’ll mainly be studying in the Erasmus Darwin Building and Teaching and Learning Building with access to facilities including 3D printers and VR to help you visualise mathematical concepts.
Our self-contained, community-focused Clifton Campus has been designed to keep students busy between lectures. Catch-up with your course mates in the Pavilion’s barista café and Refectory; brainstorm group presentations in chic and stylish study spaces; enjoy some proper R&R in The Point, home of our Students’ Union. The campus also hosts the multimillion-pound Clifton Sports Hub, offering great options for everyone — whatever your interests, and however competitive you’d like to get!
You’re also right next to the bright lights of Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. All through termtime, a dedicated on-campus bus service will get you to the heart of the action (and back) in under 25 minutes. You’ll find a city stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure: enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, hidden cinemas and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink and social scene by night.
Take our virtual tour to get a real feel for the campus.
Entry requirements
UK students
- Standard offer: 72 UCAS tariff points from three A-levels or equivalent
- Other requirements: GCSE Maths grade B / 6 and English C / 4
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Additional requirements for UK students
There are no additional requirements for this course.
Contextual offers
If you don’t quite meet our entry requirements, we might be able to make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and your individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer, and we get data from UCAS to help make these decisions. We do this because we believe everyone with the potential to succeed at NTU should have the opportunity to do so, no matter what barriers you may face.
Meeting our entry requirements
Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS Tariff points attached to specific grades, including A-levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to three different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our Tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.
Other qualifications and experience
NTU welcomes applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds, either for year one entry or for advanced standing beyond the start of a course into year 2 or beyond.
We consider study and/or credit achieved from a similar course at another institution (otherwise known as credit transfer), vocational and professional qualifications, and broader work or life experience.
Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route. If you wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning, please contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International students
- Academic entry requirements: 72 UCAS tariff points from three A-levels or equivalent. We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.
- Other requirements: GCSE Maths grade B / 6 and English C / 4
- English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.
Additional requirements for international students
English language requirements
View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.
If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.
Other qualifications and experience
If you have the right level of qualifications, you may be able to start your Bachelors degree at NTU in year 2 or year 3. This is called ‘advanced standing’ entry and is decided on a case-by case basis after our assessment of your qualifications and experience.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
Sign up for emails
Sign up to receive regular emails from the International Office. You'll hear about our news, scholarships and any upcoming events in your country with our expert regional teams.
Getting in touch
If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.
Policies
We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.
