Mathematics and Data Science with Foundation Year
Birkbeck, University of London
UCAS Code: I110 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Birkbeck, University of London
UCAS Code: I110 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
UCAS Tariff
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About this course
This BSc Mathematics and Data Science offers you a distinctive blend of rigorous mathematical theory and practical data science skills designed to prepare you to tackle real-world problems.
**Why choose this course?**
- Located in the heart of London, this course offers you state-of-the-art facilities and strong industry partnerships, so you can take advantage of ample opportunities for hands-on learning, internships and collaborative projects.
- It is led by experts in mathematics and data science who bring a wealth of knowledge and industry experience to the classroom and provide you with unparalleled insights and mentorship.
- Whether you aspire to work in finance, technology, healthcare or academia, this course will equip you with the analytical and computational skills you need to excel in a wide range of fields.
**What you will learn**
This course offers you learning in advanced topics such as machine learning, statistical inference and big data, alongside fundamental mathematics including calculus, algebra and probability.
It places a strong emphasis on both theoretical understanding and practical application, enabling you to develop a skillset that incorporates multiple programming languages, database management and AI technologies, to help ensure that you are well prepared for the demands of the modern, data-driven world.
**How you will learn**
This course is taught through a combination of lectures (some pre-recorded), seminars and group and individual work, as well as practical lab work. You will have the opportunity to choose from option modules to tailor your learning to your interests. You will also undertake a final-year project in which you will be able to apply your skills to real-world issues and gain valuable experience relevant to your career aspirations.
This course is available for full- or part-time study. It has an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening.
**Foundation Year**
If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.
**Highlights**
- In the 2023 National Student Survey, Birkbeck was ranked the top university in the UK for Mathematical Sciences in four of the eight categories, including 'Teaching on my Course', 'Assessment and Feedback' and 'Academic Support'.
- Our world-class research activity informs our teaching and we provide a stimulating teaching and research environment for both part-time and full-time students.
- Birkbeck established one of the first computing departments in the UK in 1957 and was a pioneer in data science studies, database technologies and eCommerce.
- Our high-quality teaching and research foster our interactions with business, public and third sector organisations, offering our students unique opportunities in their studies.
**Careers and employability**
On successfully graduating from this BSc Mathematics and Data Science, you will have gained important transferable skills, including how to:
- present, analyse and interpret data
- comprehend conceptual and abstract material
- develop a logical and systematic approach to problem-solving
- learn independently using a variety of media
- communicate effectively
- complete a sustained and substantial task in a limited time period.
Graduates can pursue career paths in data science, programming and finance. Possible professions include:
- actuary
- data scientist
- economist
- statistical analyst
- business analyst
- management consultant
- market research analyst
- technology professional
- software developer
- financial analyst
- teacher
- accountant.
You may also decide to progress your studies further with postgraduate-level study on Birkbeck's MSc Applied Statistics.
Modules
For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.
Assessment methods
On this course we use a variety of assessment methods, including coursework assignments, quizzes, written examinations, and a project proposal and final report.
The Uni
Birkbeck, University of London
School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if the overall teaching satisfaction score here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
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
Sorry, no information to show
This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
Computing
Sorry, no information to show
This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
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.
Top job areas of graduates
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.
Information systems
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.
Top job areas of graduates
Information systems courses cover a range of areas, including information design, modelling and the finance industry. How well graduates did made a particular difference in 2015 — computing graduates with good grades were much less likely to be out of work after six months. Most students do get jobs, though, and starting salaries are good — particularly in London, and that’s where over a quarter of graduates started work last year. This is also a good degree to take if you want to follow a technical role in the finance or advertising industry. Many jobs for this degree were found in the larger cities last year and opportunities may be more limited outside those areas.
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.
£33k
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.
Computing
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£34k
£43k
£48k
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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?
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