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The Financial Mathematics programme provides a thorough grounding in the mathematical concepts, tools and skills needed to understand financial decision making. It offers you the opportunity to study financial theory and applications built on rigorous foundations within a friendly and highly successful department.
Overview
You gain access to knowledge and capabilities that are valued by financial sector employers, corporations and postgraduate academic programmes. In combination with specialised finance and economics topics, the programme incorporates core mathematical principles, probability and inference, and a range of statistical concepts and techniques. In addition, you have a chance to develop communication and personal skills.
The degree consists of compulsory modules, especially in the first two years, and some optional modules to suit your interests and goals.
Independent rankings
Mathematics at Kent was ranked 19th for course satisfaction in The Guardian University Guide 2017. For graduate prospects, Mathematics was ranked 19th in The Complete University Guide 2017.
Course structure
The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
On most programmes, you study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also be able to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes so you can customise your programme and explore other subjects that interest you.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching amounts to approximately 16 hours of lectures and classes per week. Modules that involve programming or working with computer software packages usually include practical sessions.
The majority of Stage 1 modules are assessed by end-of-year examinations. Many Stage 2 and 3 modules include coursework which normally counts for 20% of the final assessment. Both Stage 2 and 3 marks count towards your final degree result.
Programme aims
The programme aims to:
- instil in students the technical appreciation, skills and knowledge required by graduates in financial mathematics
- develop students’ abilities for rigorous reasoning and precise expression, and formulate and solve problems relevant to financial mathematics
- encourage an appreciation of recent developments in financial mathematics, and the links between theory and practical application
- encourage a logical, mathematical approach to solving problems
- develop an enhanced capacity for independent thought and work
- ensure students are competent in the use of information technology, and are familiar with computers and the relevant software
- provide opportunities to study advanced topics in financial mathematics, engage in research, and develop communication and personal skills
- instil awareness of the application of technical concepts in the workplace (for students undertaking a year in industry).
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- core mathematical skills in the principles of calculus, algebra, mathematical methods, discrete mathematics, analysis and linear algebra
- statistical aspects of probability and inference
- information technology skills relevant to mathematicians
- methods and techniques appropriate to financial mathematics
- logical mathematical argument and deductive reasoning.
Intellectual skills
You develop intellectual skills in the following areas:
- the ability to demonstrate a reasonable understanding of knowledge in financial mathematics
- calculation and manipulation of the material within the programme
- application of concepts and principles in various contexts relevant to financial mathematics
- a capacity for logical argument
- problem solving by various methods
- computer skills
- the capacity to work with relatively little guidance.
Subject-specific skills
You gain subject-specific skills to:
- demonstrate knowledge of key mathematical concepts and topics, both explicitly and by applying them to the solution of problems
- comprehend problems, abstract the essentials of problems and formulate them mathematically and in symbolic form to facilitate their analysis and solution
- use computational and more general IT facilities as an aid to mathematical processes
- present mathematical arguments and the conclusions from them with clarity and accuracy.
Transferable skills
You gain transferable skills in the following:
- problem-solving, in relation to qualitative and quantitative information
- effective communication
- numeracy and computational abilities
- information retrieval in relation to primary and secondary information sources, including online computer searches
- computer skills, such as word-processing and spreadsheet use, internet communication
- time-management and organisational skills: the ability to plan and implement efficient and effective modes of working
- continuing professional development.
Careers
Through your studies, you acquire many transferable skills including the ability to deal with challenging ideas, think critically, write well and present your ideas clearly, all of which are considered essential by graduate employers.
Recent graduates have gone into careers in medical statistics, the pharmaceutical industry, the aerospace industry, software development, teaching, actuarial work, Civil Service statistics, chartered accountancy, the oil industry and postgraduate research.
Entry requirements
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications. Students offering alternative qualifications should contact us for further advice.
It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
New GCSE grades
If you’ve taken exams under the new GCSE grading system, please see our conversion table to convert your GCSE grades.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | AAB including Mathematics grade A (not Use of Mathematics). Either General Studies or Critical Thinking (but not both) can be accepted against the requirements. |
| Access to HE Diploma | The University will not necessarily make conditional offers to all Access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If we make you an offer, you will need to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above |
| BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | The University will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF; OCR) on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for further advice on your individual circumstances. |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 17 points at HL with Mathematics 6 at HL |
International students
The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about our country-specific requirements.
Please note that if you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science offers a foundation year.
English Language Requirements
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of 'pre-sessional' courses in English for Academic Purposes. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2017/18 tuition fees for this programme are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
UK/EU fee paying students
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
In accordance with changes announced by the UK Government, we are increasing our 2017/18 regulated full-time tuition fees for new and returning UK/EU fee paying undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses will also rise from £4,500 to £4,625. This was subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. This fee will ensure the continued provision of high-quality education.
For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.*
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
General additional costs
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Funding
University funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.
Government funding
You may be eligible for government finance to help pay for the costs of studying. See the Government's student finance website.
The Government has confirmed that EU students applying for university places in the 2017 to 2018 academic year will still have access to student funding support for the duration of their course.
Scholarships
General scholarships
Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.
The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. The scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications (including BTEC and IB) as specified on our scholarships pages.
The scholarship is also extended to those who achieve AAB at A level (or specified equivalents) where one of the subjects is either Mathematics or a Modern Foreign Language. Please review the eligibility criteria.