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Financial Mathematics

Entry requirements


A level

A,A,A-A*,B,B

AAA/A*AB where the first grade quoted is Mathematics, AAB/A*BB including Further Mathematics and where the first grade quoted is Mathematics, or AAB/A*BB where the first grade quoted is in Mathematics plus A in AS Further Mathematics. Where an A-Level Science subject is taken, we require a pass in the practical science element, alongside the achievement of the A-Level at the stated grade. Excludes A-Level General Studies or Critical Thinking.

Normally only accepted in combination with grade A in A Level Mathematics or equivalent.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

D3,D3,M2-D3,M1,M2

D3 D3 M2 or D2 M1 M1 where the first grade quoted is in Mathematics OR D3 M1 M2 or D2 M2 M2 including Further Maths where the first grade quoted is Mathematics.

17 at Higher Level including 6 in Higher Level Mathematics (Mathematics: Analytics and Approaches is preferred).

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

H2,H2,H2,H2,H2,H2

H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 including Mathematics.

BTEC qualifications in relevant disciplines are considered in combination with other qualifications, including grade A in A-level mathematics, or equivalent.

Scottish Higher

A,A,A,A,B,B

Suitable combinations of Scottish Higher and Advanced Highers are acceptable, though Mathematics must be presented at Advanced Higher level.Typically AAAABB Including grade A in Advanced Higher Mathematics.

UCAS Tariff

136-186

We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.

About this course


This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.

Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Other options

4 years | Full-time with year in industry | 2024

4 years | Full-time with time abroad | 2024

Subjects

Finance

Financial mathematics

Mathematics

Mathematics is the key to robust financial management across a multitude of industries spanning both the public and private sector. Demand for employees with a sound financial perspective backed-up with mathematics skills comes from multiple sectors – from business and technology to financial services and IT – and the career options available are varied. Finance professionals often go on to become business leaders, thanks to the skills they develop in analysis, management, prioritisation, problem-solving and commercial awareness.

Studying a financial mathematics degree at Leeds will give you a firm foundation in the theory and applications of mathematics and business finance, as well as specific disciplines such as accounting and economics. Analytical and mathematical skills are highly valued by employers and this course provides an integrated approach which fully prepares you for a career in the finance industry.

You'll focus on mathematics, including modules in financial mathematics covering mathematical modelling of financial and insurance markets, as well as pure, applied and statistical mathematics modules. As you progress, you’ll have more flexibility and choice, allowing you to explore your particular areas of interest.

Here at Leeds, we understand the importance finance and mathematics have in everyday life, which is why we have one of the largest mathematics research departments in the UK and our courses are shaped by the latest thinking. This course is delivered jointly by the School of Mathematics and the Leeds University Business School, equipping you with the relevant knowledge, skills and experience you need to begin your career in finance.

**Why study at Leeds:**
- The programme covers many of the first-level exams for the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, enabling you to take steps towards qualifying as an actuary.

- Our School’s globally-renowned research feeds into the course, shaping your learning with the latest thinking in areas such as probability and financial mathematics, modern applied statistics and analysis.

- Learn from expert academics and researchers who specialise in a variety of mathematical and financial areas.

- Academic staff provide you with regular feedback and advice throughout your degree, with small tutorial groups supporting the teaching in the first year.

- Access excellent facilities and computing equipment, complemented by social areas, communal problem-solving spaces and quiet study rooms.

- Broaden your experience and enhance your career prospects with our industrial placement opportunities or study abroad programmes.

- Our Financial Mathematics BSc and Actuarial Mathematics BSc degrees share a common first year, allowing you to move from one programme to the other until the end of your first year.

- Make the most of your time at Leeds by joining our student society MathSoc where you can meet more of your peers, enjoy social events and join the MathSoc football or netball team.

The Uni


Course location:

University of Leeds

Department:

School of Mathematics

Read full university profile

What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

77%
Finance
55%
Financial mathematics
55%
Mathematics

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Finance

Teaching and learning

75%
Staff make the subject interesting
87%
Staff are good at explaining things
82%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
82%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

84%
Library resources
91%
IT resources
85%
Course specific equipment and facilities
80%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

48%
UK students
52%
International students
61%
Male students
39%
Female students
88%
2:1 or above
7%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

A
A
A

Mathematics

Teaching and learning

59%
Staff make the subject interesting
68%
Staff are good at explaining things
71%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
54%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

71%
Library resources
73%
IT resources
81%
Course specific equipment and facilities
52%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

47%
UK students
53%
International students
58%
Male students
42%
Female students
80%
2:1 or above
15%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

A
A
A

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Finance

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£21,500
med
Average annual salary
100%
high
Employed or in further education
88%
high
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

38%
Business, research and administrative professionals
37%
Business, finance and related associate professionals
7%
Administrative occupations: finance

Over 2,000 students graduated with a degree in finance in 2015, and a sign of the strength of the finance industry, numbers are on the up. Over half of finance graduates go into the finance industry, with accountancy and financial advice roles particularly popular. It's also quite common for finance graduates to go into jobs which require you to take more training and gain professional qualifications — finance graduates who take further study are more likely to be studying accountancy than finance. About a third of graduates start their careers in London - but Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham are other popular locations for finance graduates to work.

Mathematics

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£22,600
med
Average annual salary
97%
high
Employed or in further education
76%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

26%
Business, finance and related associate professionals
25%
Business, research and administrative professionals
9%
Administrative occupations: finance

Want to feel needed? This is one of the most flexible degrees of all and with so much of modern work being based on data, there are options everywhere for maths graduates. With all that training in handling figures, it's hardly surprising that a lot of maths graduates go into well-paid jobs in the IT or finance industries, and last year, a maths graduate in London could expect a very respectable average starting salary of £27k. And we're always short of teachers in maths, so that is an excellent option for anyone wanting to help the next generation. And if you want a research job, you'll want a doctorate — and a really good maths doctorate will get you all sorts of interest from academia and finance — and might secure some of the highest salaries going for new leavers from university.

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Finance

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£25k

£25k

£31k

£31k

£42k

£42k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

Mathematics

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£26k

£26k

£31k

£31k

£38k

£38k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

Explore these similar courses...

Higher entry requirements
University of Leeds | Leeds
Economics and Finance
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 144-198
Same University
University of Leeds | Leeds
Actuarial Mathematics
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 136-186

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This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

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Course location and department:

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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

We've received this information from the Department for Education, via Ucas. This is how the university as a whole has been rated for its quality of teaching: gold silver or bronze. Note, not all universities have taken part in the TEF.

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here