Mathematics: supporting you to succeed

You are supported by an open door policy, a personal tutor system, peer assisted learning and much more.
Mathematics: supporting you to succeed
From our open door policy and personal tutors to your own tablet PC and ebook library – you’ll have the support you need to match your needs and ambitions. We're very proud of the support we offer you. In the recent Guardian league tables for mathematics, Plymouth has consistently been in the top 10 nationally for student satisfaction for teaching in mathematics.

Here are some of the other ways we offer you support.

Free-of-charge ebook versions of your key textbooks

This allows you and your lecturers to annotate texts and share notes and views online.

See more on ebooks and your own tablet PC, below.

Maths students using tablets at Plymouth

  • Our open door policy, providing you with direct access to support from staff when you need it.
  • The Maths Lab located close to staff offices, allowing easy access to help and feedback. With walls covered in boards for problem solving, plus a projector system for practising presentations, our laboratory is an ideal environment for students to support each other's learning.
  • Our personal tutor system provides you with individual academic and personal support from one of the lecturers whom you regularly see in classes. Solving problems in small groups, on the board, develops your presentation skills and supports you to become a confident communicator.
  • Peer-assisted learning classes (PALS) – every week where second year students run sessions for first years where they provide help and advice with their studies and life at university.
  • SumUP, a drop-in centre, providing you with support to resolve any mathematics and statistics-related problems. The resources are open 24/7 and it is staffed from 10am-4pm Monday to Friday during term time. 
  • Inspirational teaching – the UPSU SSTAR Awards have been organised by students with the support of the Students' Union to reward excellent staff members and dedicated course representatives. For example, the Head of Mathematics and Statistics, Professor David McMullan, Dr Matthew Craven and Dr Martin Lavelle have both been individually nominated for Student Union teaching awards.
  • Your own tablet PC – so you can access and create electronic resources such as ebooks, lecture notes, online support materials and email.
  • Clickers – with this interactive technology, lecturers can ask questions in the classroom and immediately gather the views and responses of your entire class. This immediate, anonymous feedback is useful both for our staff and for you to check progress and understanding.
  • Online support materials – many of our staff post materials to support your learning, from online lecture notes to audio and video podcasts.
  • Free-of-charge ebook versions of textbooks allows you and your lecturers to annotate texts and share notes and views online. You can download your ebooks to your tablet, as well as many other devices.

Maths PALS (Peer Assisted Learning)

People supported learning

Giving you access to the people you need, when you need them, is a key part of our approach in mathematics

Maths students using iPads in seminars

Technology supported learning

With mathematics at Plymouth you will benefit from technology designed to help your learning, giving extra support and depth to your modules

Student voice

"During my time at Plymouth University I have found the lecturers always willing to help me with any issues that have arisen, they are always happy to go the extra mile for students. The open door policy is more than just a motto, they really do mean it and they help with anything, academic or personal. 

Additionally, I believe the Peer Assisted Learning Scheme to be exceptionally beneficial for first year students. It gives them support on a personal and academic level from second year students which provides them with a confidential environment to express their opinions as well as to receive support on any topic throughout their first year of study.

I could not recommend the University highly enough."

Matthew Chatting, BSc (Hons) Mathematics