Options with mathematics
The breadth of mathematics is immense. It is a fundamental subject for much of science/technology, and also for all analytical and model-building activities across a wide range of sectors. Since the spread of topics is so broad in a mathematics degree, some have little in common with others.
Statistics is an important mathematics discipline and studying it gives you skills relating particularly to the design and conduct of experimental and observational studies and the analysis of data resulting from them. The analytical approach you practice, trains you to be able to apply theoretical knowledge to problem-solving and to develop and evaluate logical arguments.
Skills developed may include:
In addition to your mathematical skills, your degree programme also trains you in general skills that employers will expect you to have, including:
Statisticians can work in a wide range of different employment areas, such as: environmental, forensic, government, health service, market research, and medical or pharmaceutical. More information on these different spheres of work is available from the Statisticians in the Pharmaceutical Industry (PSI) .
Larger financial employers such as accountants or insurance companies often have internships for second year students which will be advertised early in your second year.
The Royal Statistical Society (RSS) is the main UK professional body for statisticians. With a degree in statistics you can join Graduate Statistician (GradStat), a valuable source of professional networking and CPD opportunities which can lead to Chartered Statistician (CStat) status.
For other jobs, a high class of degree and perhaps a Masters may be required.
A relevant industrial year out or final year project/dissertation will always be helpful for the more mathematically orientated careers. Statisticians will benefit from any paid or unpaid work experience gained in the field they wish to work in.
Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it’s not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here. Look at your degree... what next? for informed advice on career planning and graduate employment, or login/register with My Prospects to find out what jobs would suit you, a helpful starting point for self-analysis.
Explore types of jobs to find out more about the above options and related jobs.
A 2012 HESA survey of 2011 graduates indicates that a little under half of mathematics students entered full or part-time work within six months. A further 14.3% were combining work with further study, often for finance-related examinations.
The areas of work chosen were wide ranging, with around 40% of students working in business, finance and associate professional roles, 6% working as commercial, industrial and public sector managers and 7.8% as IT professionals. Just over 7% are working as education professionals, with the remaining majority being split between retail, catering, waiting and bar staff and other clerical and secretarial occupations.
There is a demand for mathematicians and statisticians across a very wide range of sectors. With a mathematics degree it is possible to find a career in the petroleum and nuclear industries, in medicine, many forms of engineering and many varied government departments. The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications has a careers leaflet giving details of 10 sectors and 72 job titles, plus example employers.
Those who have specialised in statistics can find work in the Government Statistical Service (GSS) , the National Health Service (NHS) (see NHS Careers ), local councils, pharmaceutical industry, insurance companies, market research and marketing companies, banks, accountancy firms, universities, colleges and schools. There are also opportunities for employment with publicly funded research institutes or government agencies including the:
For an insight into some of the relevant employment sectors, see:
For further information on possibilities in other employment areas, see job sectors.
Statistics are collected every year to show what HE students do immediately after graduation. These can be a useful guide but, in reality, because the data is collected within six months of graduation, many graduates are travelling, waiting to start a course, paying off debts, getting work experience or still deciding what they want to do. For further information about some of the areas of employment commonly entered by graduates of any degree discipline, check out What Do Graduates Do? and your degree...what next?
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.
