Program Overview
Year Abroad
Study at a university abroad where you can learn while you travel and experience the practices and culture of a different country.
Specialist knowledge
Alongside learning a broad range of mathematical techniques, you will gain the in-depth knowledge and skills required to secure a role in the finance, banking and insurance industries.
Flexible degree schemes
In most cases, you're free to switch between degrees at the end of year one if your interests change. You will also have the opportunity to complete a Professional Placement Year or a Year Abroad between years two and three. You don’t need to commit to either of these options until the start of the second year, so there’s plenty of time to decide.
Excellent facilities
You will be taught in Abacws, the new home for the School of Mathematics. This world-leading facility has been designed in collaboration with students and academic staff to create interdisciplinary, flexible and creative workspaces, with innovative teaching areas being a key feature, including a new simulated Trading Room for financial mathematics.
To manage the complex financial sector, banks and financial institutions need talented mathematicians who are fluent in the language of finance.
This course will provide you with a solid foundation in mathematics, whilst also developing knowledge and skills that are essential for jobs in the finance industry, including an understanding of modern financial markets, institutions, investments and policies. You will focus on issues and topics relevant to the computational and market design side of contemporary finance, such as:
- Complex Systems
- Trading (in particular high-frequency trading)
- Fund Management
- Analytics
On this course, you will study at a university abroad during your third year before returning to Cardiff for a final year. Our School has agreements with universities across the globe, and you will have support to apply for your overseas year.
Studying abroad is a great way to broaden your academic knowledge, immerse yourself in another culture and gain skills that could be valued by employers. Not only can it enhance your CV by demonstrating key skills such as communication, flexibility and collaborative working, it can also provide you with valuable networking opportunities. Above all, it is the start of a new adventure. A chance to experience other cultures and viewpoints, make new friends and share unforgettable experiences.
Cardiff, United Kingdom
48 Months
£ 23,450
IELTS: 6.5
Course structure
This is a four-year full-time degree with year three spent studying abroad. 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 year two will inform the choices available to you in years three and 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 your core modules will cover the foundation areas of Pure Mathematics. You're also able to choose between modules in Financial Mathematics, Statistics, Computing, and Operational Research. The Finance modules will introduce you to techniques and tools of Corporate Financial Management at firm level.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 Four.You are free to transfer to the BSc Financial Mathematics degree scheme if you decide not to take the Year Abroad. Your Year Abroad is organised by the School and in some cases, funding is available for travel and living costs.You are required to pass a minimum of 100 credits to progress to the Year Abroad.
Year three: Sandwich year
Year Three you will spend a year at a university abroad to experience the practices and culture of a different country. We have partner institutions in a number of European countries, as well as in Australia, Canada, and the USA.
Year four
In Year Four there are no compulsory modules and your options are wide-ranging.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.
A level
AAB-ABB. Must include grade A in Maths.
Extended/International Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ/IPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard A level offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.
International Baccalaureate
34-32 overall or 666-665 in 3 HL subjects. Must include grade 6 in HL Maths or Maths Analysis and Approaches.
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 Financial Mathematics with a Year Abroad as a pathway to the workforce where you may meet our alumni working in finance, government, marketing or even agriculture. Or, you might choose to widen your career options to include a range of related fields by completing postgraduate studies 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, company presentations held in the School, presentations by students returning from industry and a range of sponsored prizes awarded for academic achievement.