This course is for students who want a solid grounding in the mathematics discipline, while exploring topics related to finance and actuarial science to open up a huge choice of future career and study options. With an emphasis on applied mathematics, you will be trained in advanced mathematical techniques, economic theory and key financial topics.
As a result, this course will particularly suit those wanting to develop the ability to cast and solve real-world problems in a mathematical framework. The degree is also focused on helping you achieve your future ambitions by helping you to develop the highly valued problem-solving and communication skills needed by today’s employers.
Want to acquire a core set of skills in mathematical science alongside the essentials for actuarial science? This course is a hybrid of mathematics and actuarial science, designed to help you develop a knowledge of mathematical methods and how to apply them to real-world problems. You will also gain knowledge of economic theory, both micro and macro, a wide range of finance topics, and the related statistical processes.
Modules are taught by specialists from City – from the Department of Mathematics, Cass Business School and the Department of Economics. As a result, the degree will provide you with a good starting point for a range of careers in the finance sector, especially in risk assessment, insurance and statistical finance. In addition, the degree will prepare you for a career in virtually every sector, where mathematical skills are highly sought after, including the public and industrial sectors, retail, education and research.
To further help you prepare for your future career, with our support, you will have the opportunity to find a paid one-year placement after your second year. Placements are paid up to £25,000 pro rata per year, with some organisations exceeding this.
Our BSc (Hons) Mathematics and Finance graduates are required for a range of different roles, with many securing careers in the financial sector. Some of our recent alumni have gone on to graduate roles at Aavrus, Barclays Bank, Geoben, HSBC, Inditex, KPMG, Mercedes Benz Financial Services, Regents Group, Standard Chartered Private Bank and Zope.
Good performance in certain modules can lead to exemption recommendations from professional examinations of the Intitute and Faculty of Actuaries.
Typical requirements:
In addition, the following is required:
If you do not qualify for direct entry, you may wish to take a foundation programme first. These programmes are designed to prepare students for entry to City's undergraduate courses.
Don't meet the entry requirements? INTO City, University of London offers a range of academic and English language programmes to help prepare you for study at City, University of London. You'll learn from experienced teachers in a dedicated international study centre.
These programmes are designed for international students who do not meet the required academic and English language requirements for direct entry. To prepare for this degree course, learn more about the International Foundation in Engineering and Mathematics and International Foundation in Actuarial Science.
City works in partnership with KIC London to provide a range of preparatory courses for international students. KIC London courses offer comprehensive support to students - including regular one-to-one tuition. Students who successfully complete the KIC London Foundation course at the required level have a guaranteed progression route to City, University of London degree courses.
We accept a wide range of European and international qualifications for direct entry to our programmes. For more information please contact ugadmissions@city.ac.uk.
Don’t meet the English language requirements? INTO City, University of London offers English language programmes to help prepare you for study at university. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to degree courses.
International Students (EEA and Non EEA) coming to study in the UK, may need to apply for a visa or entry clearance to come to the UK to study. The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course. There are different rules for:
For more information see our main Visa page.
Applications for degree courses must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). 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 £23 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 £12.
Your application for entry in September 2021 should arrive at UCAS between September 2020 and 29th January 2021. Applications that arrive after 29th January 2021 will be considered only at City’s discretion.
When your application is acknowledged by UCAS, you will be sent a personal identification number so that you can access your records via Track on the UCAS website.
For general enquiries about the admissions process at City, please contact our Admissions Office:
Email: ugadmissions@city.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7040 8716.
If your enquiry is about admission to a particular course, please use the contact details provided on the course page.
Website: www.ucas.com
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.
* The fee for this course is £9,250 for each year of study.
** The fee for this course is £16,320 for the first year of study. The institution reserves the right to increase your tuition fees annually to take account of the institution's increased costs of delivering educational services. The increase will normally be 2% but this is kept under review with reference to the RPI. If the institution intends to increase your tuition fees you will be advised of this alongside the published entry fee.
Get the latest information on funding options, financial support and typical living costs.
There are many sources of funding available for the Mathematics and Finance BSc (Hons) at City and our award-winning Student Centre provides you with extensive financial advice and support.
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 the City Finance website.
Find out how UK/EU students can receive £2,000 in their first year of study.
A day in the life of a Mathematics and Finance student
Watch this short video to see a day in the life of a City BSc (Hons) Mathematics and Finance student, Charlie.
At City, you have the option to complete a work placement of 9-15 months between your second and third year, enabling you to gain professional experience. If you complete a placement, you will graduate with a BSc (Hons) Mathematics and Finance with Placement degree upon successfully completing the programme. Students that complete a placement year have been found to be more likely to achieve higher grades, secure a graduate-level job and earn a higher salary.
Placements can offer the opportunity to contribute to real-world projects. Our students have previously secured placements and internships at organisations such as Axa, Barclays, Bloomberg, Disney, EY, GE Capital, IBM, J.P. Morgan, Microsoft, Toyota and Warner Music.
The School of Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering has its own dedicated placements team, the Professional Liaison Unit (PLU). While placements are not guaranteed, we do have longstanding relationships with a diverse range of companies. In addition, the PLU provides students with specialised placement support and guidance to increase their chances of securing a relevant placement. When applying for placements students receive one-to-one PLU support tailored to the individual needs of students. In addition, the PLU also collaborates with our Careers Service to support you if you wish to take a summer internship at the end of an academic year.
At the heart of cosmopolitan London, City is perfectly situated in the vibrant area of Clerkenwell. Close to many innovative and well-known businesses with strong ties to our students and alumni, City is the ideal place to be a Mathematics student and take your first steps towards an exciting future.
We operate a Guarantee Scheme for first year undergraduates which means you will be offered place in one of City's affiliated Halls if you meet the Scheme's criteria.
Read more about our undergraduate halls.
Our Accommodation Service can also help you find private accommodation.
We offer a free language course for City, University of London students.
Course timetables are normally available from July and can be accessed from our timetabling pages. These pages also provide timetables for the current academic year, though this information should be viewed as indicative and details may vary from year to year.
Please note that all academic timetables are subject to change.
We offer an extensive support network during your time here at City, University of London – from Learning Support (including disability support) and counselling to financial and career advice – leaving you free to enjoy every opportunity campus life has to offer.
Find out more about the different types of student support available.
Chat to our current students and read their blogs to gain an insight into studying at City and learn more about our undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
To make sure that you can begin or continue your studies with us during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have reviewed and adapted our courses to ensure a safe learning environment for our students and staff. We have modified the way some of our courses are delivered, with many programmes being made available online.
Contact us to find out more about how our programmes will be delivered.
The Mathematics and Finance BSc (Hons) at City is a multi-disciplined degree, in a supportive, energised department with experienced academic staff from the Department of Mathematics, the Department of Economics and City’s Cass Business School.
Our teaching and learning methods are geared towards developing your knowledge and enthusiasm for mathematics and actuarial science. You will be supported and encouraged to develop your academic self-confidence and gradually take responsibility for your own learning.
Small weekly group tutorials in the first year help to ease your transition from secondary education to degree study. Your tutorials will provide intensive individual assistance for core module topics. In the final year, you will carry out a group research project, which you will be able to choose from a wide range of topics, according to your interests.
For around 30 hours per week, you will spend time on background reading, revising notes, working on tutorial problems, coursework and individual or group work on projects, including the major project in your final year.
Your personal tutor will provide small group tutorials throughout the first year, and will be available to help you throughout your time at City. Your tutor will also provide support for mathematics and other matters, and serve as a link with other resources within City and elsewhere.
City offers you modern facilities, with all lectures and tutorials taught in a stimulating learning environment, supported through PC-based laboratory sessions.
Assessment is based on examination and coursework. Marks are weighted in a 1:3:6 ratio for the three years of study to produce an overall aggregate.
In the third year of your degree, a core module consists of a group project. The group is assessed by a group written report and an individual presentation on the project. Also, a small number of modules require students to give presentations.
You will normally be provided with feedback within three weeks of the submission deadline or assessment date. This would normally include a provisional grade or mark. For end-of-module examinations or an equivalent significant task (e.g. an end of module project), feedback will normally be provided within four weeks.
The timescale for feedback on final-year projects or dissertations may be longer.
Feedback will be provided in line with our Assessment and Feedback Policy.
The balance of assessment by examination, practical examination and assessment by coursework will to some extent depend on the optional modules you choose.
The approximate percentage of the course assessment, based on 2019/20 entry is as follows:
The first year of your degree focuses on core material, including basic programming in a relevant language specially selected for those wanting to pursue a financial career, and statistics to give you a solid foundation in modern mathematics. You will also cover the basics of economics and financial mathematics. On completing the first year, you will be able to discuss the underlying concepts and principles of mathematics, programming and statistics, and apply these to specific problems.
In the second year, you can pursue your interests further by choosing from a wide range of options. You will master more advanced mathematical techniques and will be able to apply these to real-life problem-solving.
In the third year, there are several optional modules. There are a wide variety of mathematics and finance options available for you to pursue your interests further. On completing the final year, you will further develop a systematic and detailed knowledge and understanding of advanced mathematics and finance. You will have access to modules which draw on current mathematics research and will be exposed to new areas of mathematics with applications to finance, biology and physics.
You will concentrate on developing basic mathematical skills and gaining knowledge in important financial and economic topics. Year one lays the foundation for any specialisation chosen in year two and three. Students will need to complete 125 credits at programme Stage 1.
You will take the following core modules:
Part two consists of modules that make up 125 credits. There are six compulsory modules and you can choose one elective module.
Compulsory core modules:
You can also choose one elective module. Every year we offer a variety of elective modules, giving you the opportunity to tailor the course to your preferences. Please note that availability and delivery modes may vary. Example modules include:
You will take three core modules and specialise according to your own mathematical and economic interests. You will choose four elective modules from a diverse pool of options, which allow you to gain advanced knowledge in a number of areas.
Additionally, you will take part in a group project and undertake your own mathematical research, closely supervised by an academic member of the department.
The core modules are:
For the elective modules, you can choose 60 credits from a range of modules, focused on your area of interest. All 15 credits unless otherwise specified.
The programme specification contains more information on how the course is organised, the requirements for progression for each part and credits required for awards.
Most contact hours will take the form of lectures, interactive sessions, practical workshops and small group classes, supported by a personal tutorial system. The number will decrease as you progress and you become more able to direct your own learning.
Approximate study time based on 2019/20 entry is as follows:
At City, the Mathematics and Finance degree prepares you for future employment by providing you with key skills highly valued by employers. By the time you graduate, you will have developed transferable skills that will open the doors to a wide range of careers.
Many of our graduates secure jobs in the financial sector, going on to work in roles such as financial consultant, investment banker, and customer service officer, for organisations such as:
Alternatively, you may be interested in further study. This degree will prepare you for a range of postgraduate options, such as an MSc or a PhD in a Mathematics or Finance-related area, or specialist training for a particular profession. For example, many of our graduates go onto specialist training, such as the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), Chartered Financial Analyst or Chartered Accountant training.
Our Careers Service offers the advice, information and skills you need to make a smooth transition into the world of work.
Find out more about City and all our undergraduate degree programmes.