In the financial world, high-level mathematics equips you to understand and model the markets. As well as gaining a thorough mathematical training, our BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Finance degree introduces you to the structure of the financial world through modules in financial institutions and markets, and investment management. These are taught by staff from Plymouth Business School. In a rapidly changing job market, mathematically literate students are equipped with skills that will be useful for life. Our graduates frequently enter accountancy, actuarial work and banking, while others work in industry.

This degree pathway is offered as an option on our flexible BSc (Hons) Mathematics course. 

You will initially be enrolled on BSc (Hons) Mathematics, where you will follow a common first year so you acquire a mastery of the fundamental skills that characterise a mathematician. As your knowledge and understanding deepens, you will be able to follow your interests and, if you wish, transfer to one of our specialist pathways - BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Education or BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Finance. 

How to apply

All application details, entry requirements and fee information can be found on the BSc (Hons) Mathematics course page.
 Apply for BSc (Hons) Mathematics via UCAS 

Why choose Mathematics with Finance?

Understanding markets 

Modern Portfolio Theory postulates the optimal behaviour of individual investors in the presence of multiple assets. Technical trading and Time Series are used for predicting the pricing of financial assets or to quantify your exposure to risk. Master programming in Excel and R – extremely desirable skills in the financial sector – and learn to use Bloomberg Professional Service to monitor and analyse financial data in real time. 

Communicate  

You gain strong communication skills through presentations and small group tutorials. 
Recent final-year project topics include modelling asset returns both analytically and numerically, conducting sentiment analysis on stock markets based on Twitter’s data and selecting optimal financial portfolios. 
You will become a creative and analytical problem solver, able to discuss technical results with non-specialists. These are skills that are highly sought after by employers.
Martin Burdett, BSc (Hons) Mathematics With Finance

Key features

  • The degree includes high level mathematical and statistical techniques, with financial applications ranging from accountancy to financial markets and investment management.
  • You will be taught by staff with expertise in financial mathematics and statistics from both the Centre for Mathematical Sciences and Plymouth Business School. Financial statistics is lectured by someone who has worked for a hedge fund.
  • Enjoy new facilities – state of the art lecture theatres, computer laboratories, study and social spaces – in our £50 million teaching and research building that opened in 2023
  • Benefit from being part of the close-knit, collaborative and supportive family that is Mathematical Sciences at Plymouth. This includes small group tutorials, study space next to staff offices, our lecturers’ open-door policy, student-led learning sessions and the Maths Society.
  • Model and simulate financial products with Bloomberg Professional service and the statistical programming language, R. These skills are valued by financial employers.
  • An optional but strongly recommended placement between the second and final years gives you excellent career prospects. Recent placement providers include Vauxhall Motors (finance division) and reinsurance giant Swiss Re.

Year 1

Learn the underlying mathematics that underpins the rest of your degree and master coding in the industrial software Python, right from the start. You’ll begin by building on the mathematical skills and topics you learnt at school, studying six core modules including calculus, linear algebra, numerical methods, pure mathematics, and probability. We’ve structured the curriculum so that all of our students acquire a common mathematical expertise, so you’ll also have the flexibility to move between courses as you progress.

Core modules:

  • Mathematical Reasoning
  • Calculus
  • Linear Algebra
  • Analysis and Group Theory
  • Probability
  • Numerical Methods
  • Stage 1 mathematics placement preparation
See BSc (Hons) Mathematics course page for full module listings

Year 2

In Year 2, you'll study a range of modules including vector calculus, differential equations and Monte Carlo methods where random sampling is used to solve numerical problems. You'll also examine financial markets, institutions, and instruments including interest rates, exchange rates, forward rates, options, swaps and hedging with derivative securities. The second year also provides you with skills in operational research, the mathematical techniques underlying management and decision making.

Core modules:
  • Advanced Calculus
  • Statistical Inference and Regression
  • Financial Institutions and Markets
  • Differential Equations
  • Operational Research
  • Complex Analysis and Vector Calculus
  • Stage 2 mathematics placement preparation
See BSc (Hons) Mathematics course page for full module listings

Optional placement year

An optional but highly recommended placement in Year 3 provides you with valuable paid professional experience and helps make your CV stand out. Recent placement providers include Vauxhall Motors (finance division) and reinsurance giant Swiss Re.

Further information about mathematics student placements

Final year

In your final year you'll study financial institutions as well as stochastic calculus and time series both of which underlie the modelling of financial markets. You’ll choose from a range of modules including mathematical statistics and non-linear systems. Deepen your expertise with optional modules covering topics including partial differential equations, time series and optimisation techniques. You can also undertake a final year project on a topic of personal interest. Recent projects have included the Black-Scholes model and simulations of derivative pricing.

Core modules:
  • Financial Statistics
  • Investment Management
  • Partial Differential Equations
  • Project or placement
  • Optimisation, Networks and Graph

Optional modules such an individual project, statistical data modelling or big data analytics, also give you expertise useful in finance.

See BSc (Hons) Mathematics course page for full module listings

People

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