Why employers are hiring Maths graduates

20 November 2023

One of the main reasons for going to university is to improve your career prospects and sometimes it’s really obvious where a degree might take you: dentists study dentistry, architects study architecture, and vets study veterinary science.

But what about Maths? What can you do with a Maths degree?

This is a question we get all the time.

Maths is one of those degrees where the outcomes might seem a little vague at first, but once you start exploring the career prospects, you’ll see just how exciting and varied they are.

Keep your options open with a degree in Mathematics

It’s a great degree if you want to keep your options open. We’ve structured our undergraduate programmes in such a way that you can explore different areas of Maths and its applications. With modules in probability and statistics, financial mathematics and computer programming to name a few, you'll be able to explore which areas of Maths you enjoy the most and what you’re best at.

In the UK, Mathematical Sciences is considered one of the degrees with the best employment prospects and as the demand for graduates soars, "a maths degree is a passport to a fascinating, well-paid career", The Guardian. 

5 sought-after skills you’ll develop with a Maths degree:

1. Numerical skills – If you’re thinking about a Maths degree, you’re probably good with numbers. This is one of the first things employers look for and it’s often a part of aptitude tests when applying for jobs. Solid numeracy skills prove that you’ve got what it takes to handle all sorts of everyday tasks from pricing, to managing budgets to reporting.
   
   
2. Data Analysis – This is one of the most in-demand skills right now as organisations struggle to make sense of all the data they hold. A Maths degree will train you to effectively analyse data and draw conclusions from it that can be used to inform business decisions. Knowing how to analyse, manipulate, and present data in a meaningful way allows businesses to operate more efficiently and reduce their costs.
   
   
3. Problem solving – From a very young age, Maths teaches us to problem solve and for many of us, this problem solving is the real joy of Maths. We get to take theories, formulas and equations and apply them to real life problems. Whether it’s using mathematical modelling to reduce malaria deaths or applying probability theory to climate change issues, mathematicians are fundamental to solving so many of society’s problems.
   
   
4. Excel – For a lot of people, not a working day goes by where they don’t have to use an Excel spreadsheet. Excel allows us to compile, format, organise and calculate data, and it’s used in all kinds of roles from finance to marketing to teaching. We know how important strong Excel skills are to employers and we want our students to feel confident using it, which is why we offer all of our students the opportunity to earn the prestigious Microsoft Office Specialist qualification.
   
   
5. Probability Skills – A Maths degree will teach you about probability theory and give you the knowledge and skills to logically predict outcomes. Think about insurance, meteorology or investment banking, so much of what they do relies on their ability to calculate the likelihood of something happening. Mistakes can be really costly for companies, so a mathematician that knows how to logically predict outcomes and avoid such mistakes is an indispensable member of the team.

These are just some of the transferrable skills you’ll develop with a Maths degree and if you would like more information on the specialist skills we teach such as computer programming, graph theory and cryptography, check out the full list of modules on offer.

To learn more about the undergraduate courses on offer in the School of Mathematical Sciences, please visit our degree programmes page.