Mathematics for Finance and Management

This is a Connected Degree

Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course.

Overview

Prepare for the fast-paced world of finance, investment analysis, marketing and business management by developing sought-after skills in data-driven decision making, operational research and mathematical modelling. Graduate with the confidence to lead on innovative strategies and lead companies to success.

On this BSc (Hons) Mathematics for Finance and Management degree course, you'll specialise in mathematical analysis and modelling used by finance professionals to track investments and forecast revenue, ensuring companies can make informed decisions to grow their profits. You'll develop the applied maths skills used by senior management to set financial plans and budgets that keep businesses competitive in their market and get a solid foundation in corporate financial management and derivative pricing, setting yourself up for a senior role managing business finances and accounts.

Course highlights

• Develop your knowledge of fundamental topics such as algebra, financial management, calculus and quantitative supply chain management

• Choose specialist modules that match your interests and career ambitions, such as statistical methods in health research, advanced corporate financial management, astrophysics and decision modelling

• Learn to use industry-standard mathematical, statistical and operational research software

• Get access to our Bloomberg Suite, set up to simulate the system used by 250,000 international finance professionals to monitor and analyse real-time financial market data

• Apply your skills on optional work placements in the community, such as assisting math teachers in local schools

Careers and opportunities

A degree in mathematics shows that you have the ability to think analytically in many different areas of business and conveys an intellectual maturity that many employers look for when they hire staff.

You'll graduate with the skills and understanding to work in many related areas, including:

• statistics

• finance

• mathematical modelling

• teaching

• government research

• marketing

Our graduates have worked for companies such as:

• Peters & May Logistics

• Global Freight Solutions

• CBRE Group

• Wates Group

• Heathrow Airport Limited

Our graduates now work in roles including:

• trainee chartered accountant

• revenue development analyst

• finance management trainee

• commercial finance analyst

• maths teacher

Other graduates have continued their studies at postgraduate level or set up successful businesses with help and support from the University.

Placement year (optional)

Taking an optional placement year gives you the experience you need to increase your chances of landing your perfect role after graduation. You could work in a paid role in a professional organisation (our students earn an average salary of £19,000 during their placements) or set up your own business, giving you the chance to grow your professional network and enhance your CV.

We'll give you all the support you need to find a placement that prepares you for your career, and we'll continue to mentor you throughout your placement.

You could take on placement roles such as:

• commercial estimator

• statistician

• researcher

You could secure a placement at organisations such as:

• BAE Systems

• JP Morgan

• Natwest Bank

The University of Portsmouth is passionate about creating career-focused modules that do more than support your studies, they empower your academic journey and prepare you for what comes next.

We design modules that have:

• Clear themes and skills development as you progress through each year
• Assessments that feel meaningful, often based on real-world tasks rather than isolated exams
• Career-enhancing opportunities such as placements, live projects, enterprise and volunteering

For a full list of the modules you will study on this course, please visit https://www.port.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduate/bsc-hons-mathematics-for-finance-and-management#modules

You’ll be assessed through:

• examinations
• written coursework
• multiple-choice tests
• presentations
• mini projects
• a major piece of supervised independent work

You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

The way you’re assessed may depend on the modules you select. As a guide, students on this course last year were typically assessed as follows:

• Year 1 students: 65% by written exams and 35% by coursework
• Year 2 students: 55% by written exams, 7% by practical exams and 38% by coursework
• Year 3 students: 62% by written exams, 2% by practical exams and 36% by coursework

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Mathematics and its Applications, Institute of