Chapters
- 01. 10. University of Bath
- 02. 9. Lancaster University
- 03. 8. UCL (University College London)
- 04. 7. University of Edinburgh
- 05. 6. University of Warwick
- 06. 5. Imperial College London
- 07. 4. Durham University
- 08. 3. University of St. Andrews
- 09. 2. University of Cambridge
- 10. 1. University of Oxford
- 11. More on the Top UK Universities For Maths
The difference between the poet and the mathematician is that the poet tries to get his head into the heavens while the mathematician tries to get the heavens into his head.
G.K. Chesterton
The field of mathematics has always played a crucial role in shaping our understanding of the world and solving complex problems. In the United Kingdom, numerous universities have excelled in providing exceptional education and research opportunities in mathematics. This table presents the top 20 universities in the UK for mathematics, based on their reputation, academic excellence, research output, and contributions to the field. These institutions have established themselves as leaders in mathematical education, attracting talented students and renowned faculty members. Whether you are a prospective student or a mathematics enthusiast, exploring this table will provide valuable insights into the esteemed universities that foster a thriving environment for the study of mathematics in the UK. Please note that the ranking order may vary depending on different sources and methodologies. The table below represents a general overview of the top 20 universities in the UK for mathematics, after which we will dig deeper into 10 of these universities.
| Rank | University |
|---|---|
| 1 | University of Cambridge |
| 2 | University of Oxford |
| 3 | Imperial College London |
| 4 | University of Warwick |
| 5 | University of St Andrews |
| 6 | University College London |
| 7 | University of Bristol |
| 8 | University of Manchester |
| 9 | University of Edinburgh |
| 10 | University of Southampton |
| 11 | University of Nottingham |
| 12 | University of Durham |
| 13 | University of Glasgow |
| 14 | University of Birmingham |
| 15 | University of Bath |
| 16 | University of Sheffield |
| 17 | University of Leeds |
| 18 | University of Exeter |
| 19 | University of York |
| 20 | University of Lancaster |
With that in mind, whether you want to study maths to move into business, economics, finance, or science, we will further explore and delve into the details of 10 universities from the aforementioned list to highlight their exceptional contributions and offerings in the field of mathematics.
10. University of Bath
The University of Bath requires A*AA for their BSc Maths programme with an A* in either A-Level Mathematics or Further Mathematics. Of course, alternative or equivalent qualifications are also accepted.
Studying maths at university level requires you to have a solid A-level foundation. If you need some help preparing for your exams, booking a few sessions with a private maths tutor can be a great help.
The university is famous for sport and exercise but also has one of the top student unions in the nation, and they also excel at maths. Whilst it can be studied as a single subject, their other popular degree is Mathematics and Physics, an equally-balanced joint honours degree which focuses on mathematical analysis, algebra and a large variety of physics-based theories.
The course structure is similar to the others you'll see in this article and includes algebra, probability and statistics, differential equations, modelling and dynamical systems, and vector calculus and partial differential equations.
Learn more about studying for a maths degree at university.
9. Lancaster University
While rated the 9th best university in the country for mathematics, Lancaster University is rated 6th in terms of graduate prospects. As for their BSc in Mathematics, this is one of the few universities in this list that doesn't require A*A*A at A Level but rather AAA.
As for the course, it includes a lot of the same modules you'll see elsewhere such as calculus, convergence and continuity, discrete mathematics, geometry, integration and differentiation, linear algebra, numbers and relations, probability, statistics, computational mathematics, Bayesian inference, combinatorics, graph theory, Hilbert spaces, Lebesgue Integration, Stochastic processes, and number theory.
8. UCL (University College London)
Much like almost every other university on our list, to study a BSc in Maths at UCL, you'll need at least A*A*A at your A Levels. You should keep in mind that though the offers are often stated as A Level exam results, there are equivalent qualifications such as the BTEC National Diploma, Access to HE Diploma, Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects, Scottish Advanced Highers, and Welsh Baccalaureate that are accepted, too. Similarly, equivalent international qualifications are also accepted by every university in the list.
Search for a maths tutor on Superprof.
The course includes modules covering algebra, applied mathematics, Newtonian mechanics, fluid mechanics, and complex analysis. Students are also given the option to analyse dynamics, computational methods, electromagnetism, geometry and groups, number theory, and probability and statistics during their second and third years.
Learn more about maths university courses.
7. University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh's BSc Mathematics programme lasts 4 years with core modules in the first year taking up half of the timetable. The optional modules during this year don't have to be in mathematics but there are related modules students can take.
Between half and two-thirds of a student's timetable will be spent on mathematics in the second year where they'll study fundamentals of pure mathematics, several-variable calculus and differential equations, statistics, computing, numerics, and probability.
The third year includes algebra, analysis, complex variables, and differential equations and is the point in the course when students start to fully focus on maths. These are all honours (hons) modules.
The fourth year of the course has students complete a research project or take the Mathematical Education course. In addition to this, they have the option to choose which mathematical subjects to study.
6. University of Warwick
Warick's BSc Maths course allows students to study a range of mathematical concepts including algebra, number theory, geometry, topology, pure and applied analysis, differential equations, and applications to physical and life sciences.
Like many on this list, Warwick offers pure mathematics as a course, the potential to go to a four-year course and joint honours classifications for multi-discipline study.
As for modules, students start with three-quarters of their timetable chosen for them but in the second year, they get to choose nearly half of their modules. In the final year, they can choose all their modules but at least 50% of them have to be maths modules.
Learn more about the entry requirements for maths degrees.
5. Imperial College London
While fifth on our list, Imperial College London's BSc Maths programme is arguably one of the most popular in terms of applications to admissions. Only 1 out of every 12 applications is accepted and that's still with A*A*A results at A Level.
Their maths degree courses focus on pure mathematics, applied mathematics and mathematical physics, mathematical finance, and statistics.
During the first year of the programme, students will cover core modules and have little choice in what they study. However, in the second year, students are given a chance to choose some of their modules, and by the final year, all their modules are electives.
4. Durham University
Just outside of the podium places, Durham University offers undergraduate programmes for both mathematics and mathematics and statistics.
For those with an interest in the sciences, they can also study maths as part of a natural sciences degree programme. In this case, they need to apply through Natural Sciences.
Durham University offers a pure mathematics course as well as joint honours and Master’s Degrees. One of the unusual things about Durham’s programme is that you are free to pick options from the first year – though of course there are compulsory core modules that you will need to follow also. Alongside calculus and probabilities and algebra, there are options in statistics and mathematical physics.
Learn more about getting ready for a maths degree.
3. University of St. Andrews
Scotland's first university is third on our list for maths degrees and its reputation as a provider of excellent teaching precedes it. The mathematics department at St. Andrews offers BSc degrees in both mathematics and statistics as well as postgraduate options.
For the first two years of your four-year program, you must study a broad range of subjects before you specialise in the last two years. You study three subjects (including your chosen degree subject) for the first year, then two or three of them in your second. For the final two years, you’ll specialise in Mathematics and follow the advanced modules in that programme.
There are also longer undergraduate programmes that result in a master's degree at the end. If your dream career in maths requires a master's in mathematics, these courses are an interesting option.
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2. University of Cambridge
Cambridge also requires A*A*A for their course and the same rules apply to those taking both maths and further maths at A Level, so it is important that you work hard in maths at school and throughout A-Levels, too.
Cambridge's maths degree course only accepts around one-sixth of the applications so if you are planning on applying through UCAS you have to make sure that your exam results are good and your application is exceptional.
There are two routes through a maths degree at Cambridge – you can either focus purely on maths or can integrate elements of physics into your education too. Levels 2 and 3 build on what you’ve learnt in the first year and give you the opportunity for more specialisation. Like Oxford, you will eventually be given the option of studying for a Master’s in a fourth year.
1. University of Oxford
Rarely, a list of the best universities in the UK for any subject doesn't include either Oxford or Cambridge and unsurprisingly, this list includes both.
The very best universities in the country offer the best teaching in a variety of subjects and maths is no exception. Any student would be happy to get onto a course at either Oxford or Cambridge, but when it comes to maths, Oxford outperforms its perennial rival.
Of course, as the best university in the country for maths, competition for places on the degree course is fierce.
Oxford requires A*A*A with maths a requirement and further maths is recommended. If a student takes both maths and further maths, their two A*s have to be in these subjects. Even with these admission requirements, only 12% of admissions are accepted.
The course is purely maths-based (though there are a few joint honours out there) and covers everything from algebra to quantum theory and relativity. The course is three years, though in your final year, you will be given the option and conditions of entry into a fourth year to gain a Master’s Degree.
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More on the Top UK Universities For Maths
Of course, these aren't the only 10 good undergraduate maths courses in the UK and only applying to courses on this list could be a risky move, especially if you don't end up with A*A*A in your A Levels as UCAS only allows 5 applications.
The quality of the maths teaching and staff isn't the only criteria to consider when choosing which university to apply to. Some courses might be better for finding a job in science afterwards while others might be good if you're interested in finance or economics.
As UCAS only allows you to apply to 5 different courses, you may want to apply to an undergraduate maths degree programme with more lenient entry requirements. Similarly, you might also want to consider where you do your studies and whether or not you'd be interested in doing a year abroad to learn a foreign language or a work placement as part of your degree.
You'll also want to think about what you plan on doing after your undergraduate studies. For example, some universities have better master's programmes. Do a bit of research on the postgraduate options or the employability of graduates. Usually, this information isn't hard to find as the best universities are very keen on showing off just how well their graduates are doing.
Make sure you see what the graduates are working on, too. If you're desperate to work in finance or economics, you mightn't want to go to a school where most of the maths graduates end up working in physics or mathematical science, for example. However, it's not always a deal-breaker because the maths degrees from these universities will definitely give you a good enough foundation in the subject to move into almost any financial or scientific career.
You might also want to consider the town where the university is located, too. It's all well and good being enrolled on the best courses in the country but there's more to your time at university than the level of teaching offered, you'll also want to like where you study.
Just because the entry requirements are lower, that doesn't necessarily mean that the university will be worse for you. There's more to your studies than league tables and the prestige of the university offering the course. Choose wisely!
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