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Subject guide

Mathematics courses for international students

A mathematics degree is the most flexible quantitative qualification there is. Graduates go into finance, data science, actuarial work, teaching, research and software, and universities compete for good mathematicians with scholarships.

What a mathematics degree involves

Mathematics degrees cover pure mathematics (analysis, algebra, geometry), applied mathematics (differential equations, mechanics, modelling), statistics and probability, and increasingly computation and data science. Joint degrees with economics, computer science, physics or finance are common.

Why study mathematics abroad

  • Employers value mathematical training above most degrees
  • Routes into finance, data, actuarial and technology careers
  • Scholarships are generous for strong applicants
  • Flexible joint honours options
  • Foundation for master's in data science, finance and AI

Best countries for mathematics

CountryWhyTypical annual tuition
United KingdomGlasgow, Exeter, Southampton, Loughborough£20,000 to £30,000
GermanyBonn, Munich, Heidelberg; free tuition€0 to €3,000
United StatesStrong departments everywhere; PhD fundingUS$30,000 to US$60,000
CanadaWaterloo, Toronto, UBCCA$25,000 to CA$50,000
FranceParis-Saclay, Sorbonne; world leaders€3,000 to €4,000
NetherlandsUtrecht, Leiden, Amsterdam€14,000 to €20,000

Universities to consider

Entry requirements

LevelTypical requirement
UndergraduateTop marks in mathematics at school (typically 80 to 90 percent), often further mathematics; IELTS 6.0 to 6.5.
PostgraduateA mathematics or closely related bachelor's at 2:1 or above.
DoctorateA master's or first-class bachelor's and a research proposal.

Careers

Data scientistActuaryQuantitative analystStatisticianSoftware engineerTeacher or lecturerOperations researcherCryptographer

UK graduate starting salaries of roughly £28,000 to £40,000, with quantitative finance far higher.

Scholarships and funding

Oasis does not award scholarships, but partner universities discount fees for strong applicants and several government schemes cover this subject. See the scholarship guide and our loan partners.

Fees and salaries are indicative for the 2026/27 cycle, change with exchange rates and policy, and should be confirmed with the university or the relevant government before you decide.

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Questions

Mathematics: what students ask

What can I do with a mathematics degree?

Almost anything quantitative: finance, data science, actuarial work, software, research, teaching and consulting.

Is a mathematics master's worth it?

Yes if you want research, quantitative finance or a specialised field like statistics or financial mathematics.

Do I need further mathematics?

It helps for top UK universities and is often required; strong single mathematics is enough for most.

Ready to study mathematics?

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