Mathematics Foundation • City, University of London

This course is for 2022/23 entry. Details for 2023/24 entry are also available.

Key information

The Foundation route will allow you to improve your school-level Mathematics skills and acclimatise to University teaching, with a view to joining one of City's Mathematics-based degrees.

Start date

September 2022

UCAS codes

G10F
GN1F
GN0F
G12F

Duration

1 year full-time

Institution

City, University of London

Location

Northampton Square

Entry requirements

A Level:

CCC with a C in A-level Mathematics

Tariff:

96 UCAS tariff points

International Baccalaureate:

Minimum of 27 points. We require Mathematics either at Standard Level with a minimum of 5 or at Higher Level with a minimum of 4

GCSE:

5 (B) in Mathematics in addition to other entry requirements.

Contextual offers

We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who have been in care or are the first in their family to enter Higher Education. Those who are eligible may receive a conditional offer with reduced entry requirements, typically two grades lower for A-levels and one grade (or eight tariff points) for BTEC or mixed qualifications.

Read our contextual admissions policy for eligibility criteria and further information.

Mixed qualifications

Typically the only scenario where we make conditional offers expressed as UCAS tariff points is when an applicant presents mixed qualifications, most typically a combination of A-levels and a BTEC qualification.

In this instance, we may make a tariff point offer to present the applicant with more flexibility on equivalencies. In this case, please be aware that we may still ask for a specific score across certain qualifications and subjects. E.g. 'This offer is conditional on you achieving 128 tariff points. This must include A-level Mathematics at grade B.'

Subject exclusions

We do not accept General Studies and Critical Thinking. These subjects will not be included in any conditional offer we make.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

We welcome applications from students who are completing relevant EPQ Projects. Whilst we recognise the value of these projects in preparing students for independent learning at university, the EPQ is unlikely to form part of any conditional offer we make.

The EPQ will also not lower the specifics of any conditional offer we choose to make. We will consider the EPQ as part of the holistic assessment of the application and it could be used to form part of our final decision at Confirmation stage.

AS levels

We recognise that there will be differences of opportunity varying by school and college. As not all students will have the opportunity to sit AS Level exams, it is unlikely we will include AS Level grades in any offer we choose to make. Where students have completed an AS Level subject, we will consider this as part of the holistic assessment of the application and it could be used to form part of our final decision at Confirmation stage.

Please note that the Foundation route is only open to UK students.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, we will require evidence of English language proficiency. Minimum requirements are:

The minimum GCSE English Language is 4.

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Open day

Prospectus

Course overviewMathematics Foundation course overview

This course is for students who are passionate about the scope of modern mathematics and excited by its applications in today’s world.

The Foundation route enables those students to spend a year at University consolidating their school-level Mathematics knowledge whilst acclimatising to University-style assessments and exams.

Although the foundation course does not confer an official award, successful completion will enable entry onto one of City's Mathematics courses, including:

Whatever your future ambitions, a Mathematics degree will open up diverse career possibilities, such as the civil service, government agencies, research establishments, public utilities, financial companies and large corporations in every sector.

Understand the universal nature of mathematics as a discipline that knows no borders or language barriers
Master a wide range of mathematical topics and techniques, such as calculus, probability, linear algebra and mathematical physics
Learn to apply abstract and logical mathematical methods to real-world problems
Boost your employability with an optional paid one-year work placement – past students have secured placements at organisations such as Axa, Barclays, Bloomberg, Disney, Microsoft, Toyota and Warner Music
Take special career development modules to understand mathematics’ essential role across all industries and the opportunities available to you
Explore your interests through a research project chosen from a wide variety of mathematical topics – past projects have included everything from life-saving mathematics in medical imaging, to wallpaper patterns.

Structure

Course content

In your foundation year you will develop your understanding for the fundamentals of Mathematics with six core modules introducing you to the basics.

Foundation Mathematics

The aim of this module is to consolidate your knowledge of mathematics and to introduce more advanced topics in the areas of calculus and algebra. The mathematical techniques taught in this module will be necessary for the understanding of modules throughout the degree.

Discrete Mathematics

The aim of this module is to consolidate your knowledge of a variety of mathematics topics that go under the general name of discrete mathematics.

Discrete mathematics can be defined as the branch of mathematics dealing with countable sets, or in simpler terms, the mathematics of objects that are not continuous but can be usually labeled by an integer. This includes the integer numbers themselves, set theory, graph theory and the study and proof of logical statements, among others.

Mathematics with Applications to Economics

This module is designed to enable you to discover and understand the Mathematics underpinning some basic Economics-related problems. The module is organized around five standard topics in Economics and the corresponding Mathematical techniques that can be used to tackle them.

Introduction to Programming with Python

The aim of this module is to provide you with familiarity of fundamental statistical techniques and an understanding of their application in practice, along with the theory of probability which underlies them.

Introduction to Probability and Statistics

This module will provide you with the fundamental tools in probability and statistics which are part of the basic knowledge required for mathematicians, and necessary for the understanding of modules on the BSc.

Employability and Transferable Skills

This module will teach you how to enhance your employability and transferable skills that will be useful in your career development.

Download course specifications:

Teaching and assessment

Teaching and learning

The Foundation Year employs continuous assessment based around frequent class tests and group work. Students can also expect a higher number of contact hours per week (around 14 hours) in the form of teaching and tutorials, than in the subsequent years of the BSc where self-study plays a larger part.

Assessment methods

You will be assessed using a variety of methods including examinations, coursework and practical skills.

Percentage of the course assessed by coursework

The approximate percentage of the course assessment, based on 2018/19 entry is as follows:

Foundation year

50% written, 50% coursework.

Fees and funding

Fees for year 2022/23

£9,250

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2022/ 23 academic year only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase, which is normally 2%.

Funding options

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2022/23 academic year only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase which is normally 2%.

Explore up-to-date information about funding options, available financial support and typical living costs.

Fee waivers are available for this course.
Means tested support is available for 2022/23 entry.

Future finance loans

Future Finance offers students loans of between £2,500 and £40,000 to help cover tuition fees and living expenses. All students and courses are considered. All loans are subject to credit checks and approval for further details please visit our finance pages.

Additional expenses

Some of our degrees may involve additional expenses which are not covered by your tuition fees. Find out more about additional expenses.

Career

Mathematical skills are highly sought after in virtually every industry, as are logical and abstract thinking, problem solving, and the ability to model real-world phenomena.

This means our graduates are highly sought after. Some of our recent alumni have gone on to graduate roles at high-profile organisations, such as:

PWC
IBM
JLT Group
McKinsey
SDM
O2
Ernst and Young.

Given City’s location and links to business, it is unsurprising that many graduates have been employed by large firms in the financial, industrial or retail sector. Others have gone into education, civil service, research and further study.

How to apply

Applications for degree courses must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

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Please note, this course is only available to those who we would classify as Home students. Please contact us if you are unclear about your fee status. For overseas students who do not meet the entry requirements for year 1 entry, we recommend our affiliated foundation course providers - INTO City, University of London.

You can apply through your school or college using the Apply system, which enables you to submit your application directly to the UCAS website.

You can apply to up to five universities or institutions on the form. The UCAS code for City, University of London is C60.

Please take care to enter the correct course code when applying, particularly for subjects with a Foundation year or with BEng (Hons) and MEng (Hons) or BSc (Hons) and MSci (Hons) options.

UCAS has implemented an 'invisibility of choices' policy so that, on the initial application and while you are receiving decisions, each institution can see only their entry and not those of other institutions you have chosen. This ensures that your application for a course at City is considered solely on your academic and personal qualities.

You should submit your completed application form to UCAS with a £26.50 application fee. If you want to apply to City, University of London only, you can make a single choice application at a reduced rate of £22.

Admission enquiries

For general enquiries about the admissions process at City, please contact our Admissions Office:

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7040 8716.

Telephone lines are currently open between 10am - 3pm.

If your enquiry is about admission to a particular course, please use the contact details provided on the course page.

When to apply

Your application for entry in September 2022 should arrive at UCAS between September 2021 and 26^th January 2022. Applications that arrive after 26^th January 2022 will be considered only at City's discretion.

Contacting UCAS

Address: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 3LZ

Telephone:

from inside the UK 0871 468 0468
from outside the UK +44 (0)871 468 0468

For callers with hearing difficulties:

from inside the UK use the Text Relay service on 18001 0871 468 0468
from outside the UK dial +44 151 494 1260 (text phone) and then ask the operator to dial 0871 468 0468.

Facilities

School of Science and Technology tour

See where our students study in this short video, including our labs, computing facilities and learning spaces. Ideally situated between Tech City, Clerkenwell and the City of London, our students benefit from our excellent links with industry. 4 minutes

Our students

Evita Parperi, BSc Mathematics alumna

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Unibuddy Foundation course

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Academics

Your studies are supported by a team of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field. On occasion we also work with external professionals to enhance your learning and appreciation of the wider subject.

Professor Andreas Fring

Professor of Mathematical Physics

Department of Mathematics

Dr Lara Silvers

Associate Dean for Undergraduate Admissions, Development, and Satisfaction