The Uni Guide has a fresh new look

Royal Holloway, University of London

UCAS Code: G1V5 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

Entry requirements

A level

A,B,B-A,B,C

Where an applicant is taking the EPQ alongside A-levels, the EPQ will be taken into consideration and result in lower A-level grades being required. Socio-economics factors which may have impacted an applicant's education will be taken into consideration and alternative offers may be made to these applicants. Required subject: A-level grade A in Mathematics

Access to HE Diploma

D:27,M:15

Pass in a relevant subject with at least 30 level 3 credits at Distinction, 15 of which must be in Maths units at Distinction, and the remaining level 3 credits at Merit, plus A-level Maths grade A. Please note that the Access to Higher Education Diploma will only be acceptable if the applicant has had a considerable break from education.

Applicants with the Cambridge Pre-U are strongly encouraged to apply to Royal Holloway. Offers will be made on the basis of equivalent A-Level grades as can be found on the Royal Holloway website.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

At least five GCSEs at grade A*-C or 9-4 including English and Mathematics are also required.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

32

6,5,5 at Higher Level, including 6 in Maths at Higher Level, with a minimum of 32 points overall

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

H2,H2,H3,H3,H3

H2,H2,H3,H3,H3 at Higher Level including H2 in Mathematics at Higher Level

Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF)

DD

Plus A-level Maths grade A.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DM

Plus A-level Maths grade A.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

D

Distinction plus A-levels grades AC including Maths grade A.

Scottish Advanced Higher

A,B,B-A,B,C

Including A in Maths

Scottish Higher

A,A,B,B,B

Including A in Maths

Requirements are as for A-levels where one non-subject-specified A-level can be replaced by the same grade in the Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate.

UCAS Tariff

120-152

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

About this course

Course option

3years

Full-time | 2025

Subjects

Mathematics

Philosophy

This three-year programme combines two of the most fundamental and intellectually stimulating forms of human enquiry. The idea of using mathematics to describe the universe was first introduced by the philosophers of ancient Greece but it is as relevant as ever today. Questions such as "What is a number?" or "Is mathematics discovered or invented?" are deeply philosophical. By studying both subjects you will not only master the skills of handling complex data and finding creative solutions to problems, but you will also be introduced to the beautiful world of abstract ideas, and encouraged to analyse challenging issues, question your assumptions and communicate your thoughts with clarity. You will gain a unique insight into the world of logic that bridges the two disciplines and you will open doors to a diverse range of career opportunities.

Our modular structure gives you the flexibility to tailor your studies to your own interests, and we offer a friendly and motivating learning environment, with a strong focus on small group teaching. Mathematics is one of the oldest academic disciplines and yet it sits at the heart of modern science and technology. Led by experts in the field, our core modules will give you a grounding in the key methods and concepts that underpin the subject, as well as practical skills that are widely transferable in the world of work. Our curriculum covers pure and applied mathematics, statistics and probability, the mathematics of information, financial markets, and more.

You'll also learn about the fundamentals of ancient and modern philosophy, the philosophy of politics, and the art of argument and persuasion. We address some of the most important political, cultural and ethical issues in the world today and tackle fundamental questions about knowledge, reasoning, our views on the universe and the impacts they have on our lives. We also have a vibrant Philosophy Society. We take a uniquely collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to the subject, by looking beyond the confines of the analytic or European tradition to disciplines across the art, humanities and social sciences. You will learn from seasoned philosophers who are published authorities in their field.

Your mathematical studies will make up 75% of your overall degree, while philosophy will contribute the remaining 25%.

Study two of the world’s oldest and most widely applicable academic subjects.

Learn from renowned mathematicians and inspirational philosophy teachers, with the flexibility to tailor your studies to your own interests.

Our philosophy courses are taught in a lively international community of students in the Department of Politics and International Relations.

Benefit from our strong focus on small group teaching.

Modules

Mathematics: Calculus, Mathematics: Functions of Several Variables, Mathematics: Number Systems, Mathematics: Matrix Algebra, Mathematics: Numbers and Functions, Epistemology and Metaphysics, Mathematics: Linear Alegbra and Project, Mathematics: Complex Variable, Introduction to European Philosophy 1 - From Kant to Hegel, Mind and World

In addition to these mandatory course units there are a number of optional course units available during your degree studies

Assessment methods

The programme has a flexible, modular structure and you will take a total of 12 course units at a rate of four, 30-credit modules per year. In addition to compulsory modules in years 1 and 2, you will choose from a range of optional courses each year. Some contribute 15 credits to your overall award while others contribute the full 30.

We use a variety of teaching methods and there is a strong focus on small group teaching. You will attend 12 to 15 hours of formal teaching in a typical week. Our mathematics courses are delivered through lectures, seminars, group tutorials, statistics and IT classes, and problem solving workshops. You will also be expected to work on worksheets, revision and project work in your own time. In year 2, much of our mathematics teaching is delivered through lectures, workshops and practical classes, and in year 3, mostly through relatively small group lectures and supervised project work. Philosophy is taught through a combination of lectures, large and small seminars and occasionally through one-to-one tutorials. Outside of class time you will work on group projects and wide-ranging but guided independent study. You will be supported in both subjects by the extensive resources available on Moodle, our e-learning facility.

Assessment is through a mixture of coursework and end-of-year examinations, depending on the courses you choose to take. Statistics and computational courses in mathematics may include project work and tests. All students will work in small groups to prepare a report and an oral presentation on a mathematical topic of their choice, which contributes towards one of the core subject marks in year 2, and two of the optional mathematics units in year 3 are examined solely by a project and presentation. The results of the first year assessments qualify you to progress to the second year but do not contribute to your final degree award. The second and final year results do contribute to the final degree result.

You will be required to take a study skills course during year 1, to equip you with and enhance the writing skills you will need to be successful in your degree. This does not count towards your final degree but you are required to pass it to progress to your second year.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£9,250
per year
England
£9,250
per year
EU
£27,500
per year
International
£27,500
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

The Uni

Course location:

Royal Holloway, University of London

Department:

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.

80%
Mathematics
74%
Philosophy

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.

Mathematics

Teaching and learning

73%
Staff make the subject interesting
80%
Staff are good at explaining things
74%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
69%
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

82%
Library resources
73%
IT resources
84%
Course specific equipment and facilities
66%
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?

92%
UK students
8%
International students
61%
Male students
39%
Female students
78%
2:1 or above
19%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

A
B
C

Philosophy

Teaching and learning

83%
Staff make the subject interesting
90%
Staff are good at explaining things
77%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
59%
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

68%
Library resources
67%
IT resources
79%
Course specific equipment and facilities
72%
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?

90%
UK students
10%
International students
43%
Male students
57%
Female students
79%
2:1 or above
17%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

B
B
B

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.

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.

£24,000
med
Average annual salary
96%
med
Employed or in further education
73%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

35%
Business, finance and related associate professionals
13%
Business, research and administrative professionals
12%
Teaching and educational professionals

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.

Philosophy

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.

£19,000
med
Average annual salary
97%
high
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

14%
Sales, marketing and related associate professionals
11%
Other administrative occupations
10%
Sales assistants and retail cashiers

Although there aren't a lot of jobs around for professional philosophers, philosophy degrees are a relatively popular option, with more than 2,000 students graduating in a philosophy-related subject in 2015 - a little down on previous years, but still healthy. Nearly a quarter of philosophy graduates take a postgraduate qualification, and it's a relatively common subject at both Masters and doctorate level — so if you think academic life might be for you, think ahead about how you might fund further study. For those who go into work, philosophy grads tend to go into teaching, accountancy, consulting, journalism, PR, housing, marketing, human resources and the arts while a few go into the computer industry every year, where their logical training is highly rated.

What about your long term prospects?

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

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.

£22k

£22k

£32k

£32k

£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.

Philosophy

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

£21k

£21k

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.

This is what the university has told Ucas about the criteria they expect applicants to satisfy; some may be compulsory, others may be preferable.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

This is the percentage of applicants to this course who received an offer last year, through Ucas.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

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.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

Course location and department:

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.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

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.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

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.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

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.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

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.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

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

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

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