Mathematics, Operational Research and Statistics with a Professional Placement Year (MMORS)

at Cardiff University

Course structure

In each year of the Programme, you will take Modules to the value of 120 credits. The first two years are spent studying Mathematics. The third year is spent on industrial placement and you return to complete your degree in year four. 

The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2022/2023 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2022.

Year one
In Year One you will take 120 credits in mathematics. Most modules are compulsory but there is an element of choice allowing you to select between modules in Mechanics or Finance. The modules in Mathematics cover the foundation areas of Calculus, Algebra, Analysis, Computing, Statistics and Probability.

You’ll be required to pass all first year modules with an average mark of at least 50% to be able to continue on the Professional Placement Year.

Year two
In Year Two core modules continue to build foundation knowledge in the areas of Calculus, Algebra and Analysis. There are also core modules in Statistics and Operational Research. There is a greater choice of optional modules in Year Two, including Pure and Applied Mathematics, Statistics and Finance. The modules you select will inform the choices available to you in Year Four and Five.

You are required to achieve at least a 55% average and pass at least 100 credits to continue their studies onto Year Three of the MMORS with Professional Placement Year. Students who fail to achieve the 55% average will be transferred onto the BSc MORS with Professional Placement Year degree scheme. Students who fail to achieve 100 credits will not be able to progress to the placement year.

During Year Two we will support you in applying for a placement, which can be undertaken with wide range of providers across industry and government including many in the professional and financial services, the pharmaceutical industry and organisations such as the Office for National Statistics.

If you are unable to obtain a placement, you will be transferred to the four year MMORS Mathematics, Operational Research and Statistics degree scheme.

Year three: Sandwich year
Year Three is spent in salaried employment, working as a mathematician and/or statistician at an organisation in the UK or Europe.

Year four
In Year Four 120 credits of optional modules are chosen.

The modules in Year Four are closely aligned to the research interests of the School.  There are a broad range of modules available, enabling you to focus on areas of particular interest. At least 50% of your Year Four modules should be in the areas of Operational Research or Statistics. There are available 20 credit modules in Optimisation and Regression and Experimental Design.

Year five
In Year Five the course develops research training and enhanced mathematical skills. There is also a major piece of project work, in which you will apply the knowledge and skills learnt in the first four years of the degree to tackle some practical or theoretical problems.

There are a range of optional modules available in Pure Mathematics, Statistics and Operational Research.

This gives you the opportunity to develop presentation and communication skills, in addition to applying your mathematical skills to a research topic 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 MMORS 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 a PhD in mathematics, 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.