Mathematics

• Studying: 26%
• Employed in graduate job: 33%
• Employed in non-graduate job: 17%
• Unemployed: 10%

• Average graduate salary: £24,259
• Average non-graduate salary: £15,582

The breadth of mathematics is immense. It is a fundamental subject for much of science/technology, and also for all analytical and model-building activities across a wide range of sectors. Since the spread of topics is so broad in a mathematics degree, some have little in common with others. Consider the skills developed on your course as well as through your other activities, such as paid work, volunteering, family responsibilities, sport, membership of societies, leadership roles, etc. Think about how these can be used as evidence of your skills and personal attributes. Then you can start to market and sell who you really are, identify what you may be lacking and consider how to improve your profile. 

View the best universities for mathematics degrees.

Prospects

Of students who graduated in 2009, 42% of mathematics students and a similar 45% statistics students, entered full or part-time work within six months. A further 12% and 15% respectively were combining work with further study, often for finance-related examinations.

The areas of work chosen were wide ranging, with just over a third of mathematics students and 43% of statistics students working in business, finance and associate professional roles. Other destinations for mathematicians included commercial, industrial and public sector managers at 7%, education professionals at 10%, and IT professionals at 6%.

Where are the jobs?

There is a demand for mathematicians and statisticians across a very wide range of sectors. With a mathematics degree it is possible to find a career in the petroleum and nuclear industries, in medicine, many forms of engineering and many varied government departments. 

Jobs directly related to your degree

The range of skills you will learn from studying a degree in mathematics will provide you with a good base in which to pursue careers such as:

• Research scientist (maths)
• Statistician
• Operational researcher
• Aeronautical engineer
• Meteorologist
• Secondary school teacher or higher education lecturer
• Actuary
• Financial risk analyst
• Investment analyst

Jobs where your degree would be useful

A degree in mathematics will also equip you for other careers including:

• Chartered account, chartered certified accountant, chartered management accountant
• Corporate investment banker
• Market researcher
• Transport planner
• Software engineer
• Insurance risk surveyor
• Management consultant
• Pension scheme manager

Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it's not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Included with the permission of AGCAS and Graduate Prospects. For the latest version of this publication, see www.prospects.ac.uk. For permission to reproduce, contact copyright@agcas.org.uk. We would welcome your comments on this section of The Complete University Guide. Please email us at admin@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk.