Mathematics

Mathematics and Statistics - BSc (Hons)

This is an archived course for 2021 entry
2023 courses

Mathematics is important to the modern world. All quantitative science, including both physical and social sciences, is based on it. It provides the theoretical framework for physical science, statistics and data analysis as well as computer science. Our programme reflects this diversity and the excitement generated by new discoveries within mathematics.

Overview

Our Mathematics and Statistics programmes combine the in-house expertise of our internationally-renowned mathematicians and statisticians to ensure you are fully prepared for your future career. You will be encouraged to fulfil your potential whilst studying in our friendly and dynamic school based in the multi-award-winning Sibson Building.

Our degree programme

To help bridge the gap between school and university, you’ll attend small group tutorials in Stage 1, where you can practice the new mathematics you’ll be learning, ask questions and work with other students to find solutions. You’ll study a mixture of pure and applied mathematics, and statistics, providing you with a solid foundation for your later studies.

In Stage 2, you study some core modules which build upon the material learnt at Stage 1. You also start to tailor your degree to your interests through our range of optional modules, continuing to explore the areas you enjoy into Stage 3.

Accreditation

This degree meets the educational requirements of the Chartered Mathematician designation, awarded by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA), when it is followed by subsequent training and experience in employment to obtain equivalent competencies to those specified by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for taught master’s degrees.

Year in industry

If you want to gain paid industry experience as part of your degree programme, our popular Mathematics and Statistics with a Year in Industry. If you decide to take the Year in Industry, our in-house Placements Team will support you in developing the skills and knowledge needed to successfully secure a placement through a specialist programme of workshops and events.

Foundation year

If your grades do not qualify you for direct entry to this programme, you may be able to take a four-year degree with a foundation year. For more details see Mathematics including a Foundation Year.

Study resources

You have access to a range of professional mathematical and statistical software such as:

  • Maple
  • MATLAB
  • Minitab.

Our staff use these packages in their teaching and research.

Extra activities

The School of Mathematics and Actuarial Science Student Society is run by students. It aims to improve the student experience for its members, socially and academically. In previous years the Society has organised:

  • talks and workshops
  • extra revision sessions
  • socials and networking events.
  • seminars and workshops employability events.

The School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science also puts on regular events that you are welcome to attend. In the past, these have included:

  • seminars and workshops
  • employability events.

Featured video

Maths student working in a Sibson Building social space

Entry requirements

Please also see our general entry requirements.

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    A level

    ABB including Maths at A but excluding Use of Maths.

    If taking both A level Mathematics and A level Further Mathematics:

    ABC including Maths at A and Further Maths at B but excluding Use of Maths.

  • medal-empty 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.

  • medal-empty BTEC Nationals

    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.

  • medal-empty International Baccalaureate

    34 points overall or 16 points at HL including Mathematics or Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches 6 at HL

  • medal-empty International Foundation Programme

    N/A

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.

If you need to improve your English language standard as a condition of your offer, you can attend one of our pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes before starting your degree programme. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme.

Course structure

Duration: 3 years full-time

Modules

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 ‘elective’ modules from other programmes so you can customise your programme and explore other subjects that interest you.

Fees

The 2021/22 annual tuition fees for this programme are:

  • Home full-time TBC
  • International full-time TBC

For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.

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.* 

Your fee status

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.

Additional costs

General additional costs

Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.

Funding

We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.

Search scholarships

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.

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 A*AA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications (including BTEC and IB) as specified on our scholarships pages.

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.

Contact hours

For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours.  The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Programme aims

The programme aims to:

  • equip students with the technical appreciation, skills and knowledge appropriate to a degree in mathematics and statistics
  • develop students’ facilities of rigorous reasoning and precise expression
  • develop students’ abilities to formulate and solve mathematical problems
  • encourage an appreciation of recent developments in mathematics and statistics and of the links between theory and practical applications
  • provide students with a logical, mathematical approach to solving problems
  • provide students with 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 students with opportunities to study advanced topics in mathematics and statistics, engage in research at some level, and develop communication and personal skills
  • provide successful students with eligibility for certain exemptions from examinations of the Royal Statistical Society

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

You gain knowledge and understanding of:

  • the core principles of calculus, algebra, mathematical methods, discrete mathematics, analysis and linear algebra
  • statistics in the areas of probability and inference
  • information technology as relevant to mathematicians
  • methods and techniques of mathematics and statistics
  • the role of logical mathematical argument and deductive reasoning.

Intellectual skills

You develop your intellectual skills in the following areas:

  • the ability to demonstrate a reasonable understanding of mathematics and statistics
  • the calculation and manipulation of the material written within the programme
  • the ability to apply a range of concepts and principles in various contexts
  • the ability to use logical argument
  • the ability to solve mathematical and statistical problems by various methods
  • the relevant computer skills
  • the ability to work independently.

Subject-specific skills

You gain subject-specific skills in the following areas:

  • the ability to demonstrate knowledge of key mathematical and statistical concepts and topics, both explicitly and by applying them to the solution of problems
  • the ability to comprehend problems, abstract the essentials of problems and formulate them mathematically and in symbolic form so as to facilitate their analysis and solution
  • the use of computational and more general IT facilities as an aid to mathematical and statistical processes
  • the presentation of mathematical and statistical arguments and conclusions with clarity and accuracy.

Transferable skills

You gain transferable skills in the following areas:

  • problem-solving skills, relating to qualitative and quantitative information
  • communication skills
  • numeracy and computational skills
  • information-retrieval skills, in relation to primary and secondary information sources, including through online computer searches
  • information technology skills such as word-processing, spreadsheet use and internet communication
  • time-management and organisational skills, as shown by the ability to plan and implement effective modes of working
  • study skills needed for continuing professional development.

Independent rankings

Mathematics at Kent scored 91% overall in The Complete University Guide 2021.

For graduate prospects, Mathematics at Kent was ranked 3rd in The Complete University Guide 2021, and scored over 89% in The Times Good University Guide 2020 and 87% in The Guardian University Guide 2020.

Over 95% of Mathematics and Statistics graduates who responded to the most recent national survey of graduate destinations were in work or further study within six months (DLHE, 2017).

Careers

Through your studies, you acquire many transferable skills, including the ability to deal with challenging ideas, to think critically, to write well and to 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.

Professional recognition

This degree meets the educational requirements of the Chartered Mathematician designation, awarded by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA),
when it is followed by subsequent training and experience in employment to obtain equivalent competencies to those specified by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for taught master’s degrees.

Apply for Mathematics and Statistics - BSc (Hons)

This course page is for the 2021/22 academic year. Please visit the current online prospectus for a list of undergraduate courses we offer.

Contact us

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United Kingdom/EU enquiries

T: +44 (0)1227 816410

E: smsasugadmissions@kent.ac.uk

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International student enquiries

Enquire online

T: +44 (0)1227 823254
E: internationalstudent@kent.ac.uk

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