Mathematics Operational Research and Statistics with a Professional Placement (BSc)

at Cardiff University

Course structure

This is a four year full-time degree with year three spent working in industry. The course includes a carefully chosen balance of core modules and optional modules. Modules are worth 10 or 20 credits and you need to earn 120 credits a year. The modules you choose in years one and two will inform the choices available to you later.

The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2023/2024 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2023.

Year one
In Year One, your core modules will cover the foundation areas of Pure and Applied Mathematics. You're also able to choose between modules in Financial Mathematics, Statistics, Computing, and Operational Research. The Operational Research and Statistics modules will introduce you to Classical Mechanics and Corporate Financial Management.

Much of Year One is common to all of our degree schemes so transfer to another Mathematics degree is normally possible.

You are required to pass all first-year modules and achieve an average of at least 50% to proceed to the application stage.

Year two
In Year Two your core modules continue to broaden your knowledge in areas like Statistics and Operational Research. There is a greater choice of specialist financial modules.

The modules you select will inform the choices available to you in Year Three.

You are free to transfer to the BSc Financial Mathematics degree scheme if you decide not to take the Professional Placement Year.

We will provide help and support to help you find a placement in preparation for year three, however, the responsibility for securing a role rests with you. If you are unable to obtain a placement in year two, you will be transferred to the three-year BSc Financial Mathematics degree.

You are required to pass a minimum of 100 credits to progress to the Professional Placement Year.

Year three: Sandwich year
In Year Three you will commence salaried employment, working as a mathematician or statistician at an organisation in the UK or Europe.

If you complete the professional training period you can be considered for the City and Guilds Senior Licentiateship Award (LCGI).

You will have support to apply for a placement, which can be undertaken with a wide range of providers across industry and government including many in the financial services, the pharmaceutical industry, and organisations such as the Office for National Statistics.

Year four
In Year Four there are no compulsory modules and your options are wide-ranging.

You have the flexibility to specialise in a particular area of mathematics, or retain a broad set of interests and explore several different areas.

As well as taught modules, you can also choose to undertake an individual 10-credit or 20-credit project giving you the opportunity to develop important transferable skills – communication, presentation and time management - and apply your mathematical knowledge to an investigation of your choice.

GCSE
Grade C or grade 4 in GCSE English Language.

IELTS (academic)
At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill.

TOEFL iBT
At least 90 overall with minimum scores of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading and 20 for speaking.

PTE Academic
At least 62 overall with a minimum of 59 in all communicative skills.

Trinity ISE II/III
II: at least two Distinctions and two Merits.
III: at least a Pass in all components.

Tuition fees for 2022 entry

Fees for home status

• £9,000    

Fees for overseas status

• £23,450

You can use your BSc in Mathematics Operational Research and Statistics with a Professional Placement Year as a pathway to the workforce where you may meet our alumni working in a variety of fields such as data science, operational research, internet technology, medicine, banking, logistics, risk management, and marketing. Or, you might choose to widen your career options to include a range of related fields by completing postgraduate studies in the sciences, computing or engineering.

Maths Careers Support

In the Spring semester of your first year, there are a range of masterclasses available to you to help support your future career prospects. The classes cover work experience, CV and covering letters, application forms, interview techniques, and an introduction to LinkedIn.

We have a regularly-updated student jobs board featuring a range of volunteering, internship, placement, and graduate opportunities. Plus, we organise a full programme of student and employer presentations every year with employers, such as Lloyds Banking Group, HSBC, PwC, Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, Sainsburys, Network Rail, GSK, Office of National Statistics, Welsh Government, the MOD, Welsh Water, and the Met Office.

The School of Mathematics also has a Careers Management Skills Programme, presentations by students returning from industry and a range of sponsored prizes awarded for academic achievement.