Methods of teaching and learning used in the course include a mix of lectures, tutorials, problem classes, computer practicals, homework problems (including electronic assessment), written and oral presentations, and individual projects.

A variety of modes of assessment will be used and are likely to include written examinations, computer-based examinations, project reports, presentations of project work.

Much of the teaching in mathematics and statistics consists of 50-minute lectures (12 per week on average) in which lecturers will explain concepts, derive results, state and prove theorems, and work through analytical and computational examples, developing motivation, understanding, and technique. The best way to consolidate and fully internalize this knowledge is to use it. In the first two years, lectures are supplemented by tutorials, informal small classes (about 12 in first year and 16 in second year) in which students work through problems and ask questions. You will have at least three per week during each of the first two years. Many of the statistics modules across all three years also include computer practicals, in which students learn how to implement computational methods and how to analyse real data. Homework problems and exercises are set in lectures, and your marked solutions may form the topic of discussion in a tutorial or problem class. You will be encouraged to work with other students, and to make use of the University's library and computing resources.

For an honours degree at Durham, you take the equivalent of six single modules each year, each with two lectures a week (apart from the project and teaching modules). In the first year, five of your modules will cover core material. These form the bedrock of your University education and range over a wide variety of topics, including fundamental material in probability and statistics. We recognise that our first-year class is not homogeneous; there are different A level syllabuses, and some students have non A level qualifications. Our first-year courses have been designed with this in mind. Consequently, we aim to fill gaps and consolidate previous knowledge during a good deal of the first term although you should find even familiar material presented in an interesting and more sophisticated way.

In the second year, the core comprises two full and two half modules covering inference in classical and Bayesian statistics, linear modelling, and computational statistics, as well as other vital data science topics. For the remainder of your time, you have the opportunity to choose those other areas of Mathematics and Statistics that appeal to you most.

In the third year, you will take a project module, worth 40 credits. The project allows you to learn about a particular statistical topic in particular depth, for example, or to perform an in-depth analysis of a data set using the tools that you have learned. Subject to availability, you may have the opportunity to perform this project in collaboration with a company or other organisation. You will acquire invaluable skills in writing and presenting work, independent study, and practical data science. Support is provided in the form of fortnightly small group meetings with lecturers, as well as meetings with third parties as appropriate.

You then choose a core module in either advanced statistical modelling or Bayesian computation and modelling. You are then free to choose the remaining three modules from a wide range of options in statistics, machine learning, and probability, as well as other mathematical topics.

We aim to encourage you to develop independence and self-motivation; for that reason, we concentrate our tutorial support in the first two years and in the project module. However, help and advice is always available from lecturers. You will also have an advisor assigned to you throughout your time with us who can be relied on for help, in particular when choosing your path through the many modules available.

A level offer – A*A*A-A*AA.

Suitable performance in the University Admission Tests TMUA or MAT or 2 in any STEP will lead to the lower A*AA offer (A*A in Mathematics and Further Mathematics, either way round plus A in any other A level or equivalent).

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – D*D*D – D*DD and A level requirements as above.

IB Diploma score – 38 with 776 or 766 in higher level subjects, including Mathematics (maths analysis and approaches).

In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note that:

• We strongly encourage applicants to sit the University’s Admissions Test (*) if it is available to them, as we give a high weighting in our selection process to evidence of ability in Mathematics.

• We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications or who may have had a break in their study. Please contact our Admissions Selectors.

• If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree you may be eligible to take an International Foundation Year pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre

• We are pleased to consider applications for deferred entry, although we advise you to make sure that you take steps to maintain your level of mathematical expertise.

(*) The University uses a national Admission Test in Mathematics (TMUA), in conjunction with the Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing (CAAT). Test results will be sent by the CAAT directly to students at the end of November, and all information concerning the Test (including whether it was taken at all) will be provided to us by the applicants on an entirely voluntarily basis: suitable performance will entitle the applicant to the reduced A*AA offer. Taking part in the TMUA can therefore only increase the chances of receiving an offer. More information can be found on the Mathematics Department website, on the CAAT website and in most schools nationwide. (Schools that currently administer STEP and MAT will be automatically registered).

Alternative qualifications

• Other UK qualifications

• EU qualifications

• International qualifications

International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year.

English language requirements

Country specific information

Full Time Fees

The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.

The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

Of those students who graduated in 2019:

• 94% are in paid employment or further study 15 months after graduation across all our programmes

Of those in employment:

• 89% are in high skilled employment
• With an average salary of £31,000.

(Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk)

We offer stimulating, flexible and intellectually satisfying degrees. Whether you are looking for a Single Honours degree, or wish to combine Mathematics with other subjects, Durham University offers a distinct blend of high-quality teaching and research along with excellent facilities and a stimulating environment for your studies.

Whichever degree you choose, you will benefit from research-led education by experts in a wide variety of fields across pure mathematics, applied mathematics, statistics and probability.

For more information visit our department pages.

Rankings

• 4th in The Complete University Guide 2023
• Top 10 in The Guardian University Guide 2022
• 6th in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022.

Staff

For a current list of staff, please see the Mathematical Sciences department pages.

Research Excellence Framework

• 96%of our research outputs are world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021).

Facilities

In addition to the large collection of mathematics books in the Bill Bryson Library, the college libraries may also have copies of recommended texts. The Department also provides a great deal of support material online and students are welcome to discuss any mathematical questions with their lecturers and tutors.

Find out more:

Methods of teaching and learning include lectures, tutorials, problem classes, homework problems, written and oral presentations and individual projects. You will also take part in computer practicals, in which you learn how to implement computational methods and how to analyse real data.

For most modules you will attend two lectures a week. Mathematical questions are set in lectures and may form the topic of discussion in tutorials or problem classes. The best way to learn maths is to work through problems, so in addition to independent study we recommend collaborative working with other students.

The final-year project is organised around fortnightly small-group meetings with lecturers. You are free to choose the remaining modules from a range of subjects including statistics, machine learning and probability, plus a teaching module in which you study how pupils learn in school.

Assessment

We use a combination of methods to assess the different modules, which include written examinations, computer-based examinations, project reports and presentations of project work. In your final year you also complete an in-depth project which is worth one-third of your final-year marks.

A level offer – A*A*A-A*AA.

Suitable performance in the University Admission Tests TMUA or MAT or 2 in any STEP will lead to the lower A*AA offer (A*A in Mathematics and Further Mathematics, either way round plus A in any other A level or equivalent).

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – D*D*D – D*DD and A level requirements as above.

IB Diploma score – 38 with 776 or 766 in higher level subjects, including Mathematics (maths analysis and approaches).

In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note that:

• We strongly encourage applicants to sit the University’s Admissions Test (*) if it is available to them, as we give a high weighting in our selection process to evidence of ability in Mathematics.

• We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications or who may have had a break in their study. Please contact our Admissions Selectors.

• If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree you may be eligible to take an International Foundation Year pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre

• We are pleased to consider applications for deferred entry, although we advise you to make sure that you take steps to maintain your level of mathematical expertise.

(*) The University uses a national Admission Test in Mathematics (TMUA), in conjunction with the Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing (CAAT). Test results will be sent by the CAAT directly to students at the end of November, and all information concerning the Test (including whether it was taken at all) will be provided to us by the applicants on an entirely voluntarily basis: suitable performance will entitle the applicant to the reduced A*AA offer. Taking part in the TMUA can therefore only increase the chances of receiving an offer. More information can be found on the Mathematics Department website, on the CAAT website and in most schools nationwide. (Schools that currently administer STEP and MAT will be automatically registered).

Alternative qualifications

• Other UK qualifications

• EU qualifications

• International qualifications

International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year.

English language requirements

Country specific information

The tuition fees for 2024/25 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed here once approved.

The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.

The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

As well as developing you academically, a Durham University degree will equip you with a range of practical skills including critical thinking, an analytical approach and ability to reason with information, alongside experience in building relationships and leading teams.

A significant number of our students progress to higher level study following their degree. Some remain within their academic field of interest and pursue higher level research, notably at Durham but also other prestigious institutions. Others take a different route and pursue postgraduate programmes or employment in areas from statistics and financial management to conservation and teaching.

Some of the high-profile employers our graduates have gone on to work for include Royal London, Deloitte, CERN, Morgan Stanley and Ocado.

Of those students who graduated in 2019:

• 94% are in paid employment or further study 15 months after graduation across all our programmes

Of those in employment:

• 89% are in high skilled employment
• With an average salary of £31,000.

(Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk)

Mathematical Sciences offers a high-quality education that is taught by subject specialists, informed by the latest research and delivered in a stimulating academic environment. Using distinctive and creative methods, we do all we can to incorporate relevant aspects of the Department’s world-leading research into the undergraduate curriculum.

We offer a range of degrees which give you a choice from a wide spectrum of pure mathematics, applied mathematics (including mathematical physics) and statistics.

The overall aim is to develop you as a member of the community of professional mathematicians. Degrees combine theoretical learning with practicals and mini projects, enabling you to develop your capacity for critical thinking, problem-solving and independent learning, which will equip you with the skills to meet a variety of challenges in the workplace. We seek to develop both the generic and subject-specific skills you need to pursue a range of careers, and to further develop your skills we offer the opportunity to spend a year studying overseas or working in industry.

For more information visit our department pages.

Rankings

• 4th in The Complete University Guide 2023

Staff

For a current list of staff, please see the Mathematical Sciences department pages.

Research Excellence Framework

• 96% of our research outputs are world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021).

Facilities

The Department lies in the heart of the University on the Upper Mountjoy campus near to the University library and the science and engineering departments. We share our purpose-built £40 million new building with Computer Sciences given the natural synergy between the subjects. It is also home to several supercomputers, keeping our education at the forefront of innovation.

The building provides cutting-edge learning, teaching and study areas, with plenty of space for group work to deepen the Durham experience and enhance the staff-student relationship.

Find out more: