Studying Mathematics in the United Kingdom means spending three or more years of your life working in the universal language of Mathematics while learning the international language of almost everything, English.
Studying Mathematics in the United Kingdom means being able to choose most of your modules since as early as your second year of university, and specialise in your preferred area of the subject, being it algebra, analysis, statistics, or any kind of applied mathematics, even before you start your master’s.
Studying Mathematics in the United Kingdom means, at the same time, not being forced to only do Mathematics. You will be indeed able to apply for some joint degrees, that are rather common in many British universities, such as Mathematics and Philosophy, Mathematics and Computer Science, and Mathematics and Statistics.
Finally, studying Mathematics in the United Kingdom means being taught and tutored by some of the best mathematicians from all over the world, and hence being likely to receive an optimal preparation to then be ready to succeed in your career, whatever it will be.
Are you convinced? Let’s see if you meet the entry requirements…
Entry requirements, that is, conditions to be satisfied for you to be able to be admitted in a British University, depend on the university you are applying to. They generally involve some English language certificate, a minimum final grade from high school, and some universities also require specific (high) grades in some subjects.
More prestigious universities such as Oxford or Cambridge will ask for a generally higher level of English (around a C1) than other universities, that will probably be happy to have you as long as you have a B2 certificate. In terms of grades, the requirements vary extensively depending on both the University and your high school system, so we suggest just searching online.
Also, note that as a non-UK citizen you will probably be asked for a student visa to study in the UK. This might be a rather long, tedious, and costly process, so we believe it is important to also consider this while taking your decision.
When to think about applying, and how does the admission process work?
Contrary to what happens in many European countries, the admission process in the United Kingdom starts as early as mid-October the year before you start university. To apply to some universities such as Oxford and Cambridge, you will indeed have to submit your application, with a Personal Statement and a Reference Letter from one of you teachers, by 15th October of the year before you are planning to start university.
For most other universities, this deadline is 15th January instead. You might be required to take an admission test around the beginning of November, and then have some interviews in December. The process might seem complicated, but we guarantee that the university websites and the UCAS website will provide all the required information. Just think in advance!
And after your Mathematics degree in the UK?
Most students that graduate in Mathematics from UK universities attend a master’s degree. After a master’s degree, some continue with a PhD, to then become researchers and/or professors. Others, instead, find a job in teaching, finance, consulting, industry, or research.
A master’s degree in Mathematics is very well-considered by recruiters: it might have been hard to finish, but after this you will have a proof of your analytical, problem-solving, and computing skills that are appreciated in a candidate for most jobs.
Something to consider before applying
There are many reasons to believe that studying Mathematics in the UK might be the perfect option for you. Still, there is something important to think about before applying: the cost. If you are not a British citizen and you are not an EU citizen moving to the UK before Brexit, you might be asked to pay around 15 to 20 thousand pounds a year. There are several scholarships offered by universities or external institutions, so think in advance and apply to many of them in order to have a higher chance of winning at least one of those!
Good luck!
If you need help with any step of the admission process, such as understanding some specific admission requirements, or writing your personal statement, or preparing for the admission exam or interviews, just ask us and we are happy to help!