Mathematics: Further study

Nearly a quarter of 2010 mathematics graduates entered full-time further study, including academic higher degrees and vocational diplomas, and certificates such as a PGCE for teaching. A further 12% combined work and study.

For certain mathematics related careers, a Masters degree may be necessary, unless you have a specialist mathematical degree, such as statistics, or have completed a relevant year in industry placement. This applies to operational research, medical statistics (in pharmaceutical companies, though not in other areas), meteorology and engineering design. Some funding is available from Research Councils UK and industry in these fields.

A PhD may also be helpful for finding work in these areas and is essential for academic careers.

Other career areas require further study whilst in employment to complete professional exams, and you will be expected to study partly in your own time. Most finance-related careers require three years’ study to gain professional qualifications or five years for actuarial work. Various specific statistics courses exist as well, such as applied statistics, medical statistics and official statistics.

These trends show only what previous graduates in your subject did immediately upon graduating. Over the course of their career - the first few years in particular - many others will opt for some form of further study, either part time or full time. If further study interests you, start by thinking about postgraduate study in the UK and search courses and research to identify your options.

For details relating to finance and the application process, look at funding my further study.