Applied Mathematics MMath (Honours)

The MMath (Hons) in Applied Mathematics will teach you to understand complex patterns and structures, and develop the tools with which to analyse them. Whether these patterns relate to physical or biological phenomena or the structure of mathematics itself, the primary aim is to describe, categorise, and understand the processes involved.

Students of Applied Mathematics will specifically focus on real-world applications of mathematics, applying their tools to solve problems in fields as diverse as biology, astrophysics, and finance.

The MMath allows you to combine undergraduate and postgraduate study into a single five-year programme, graduating with a Masters degree.

The MMath in Applied Mathematics is accredited by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications.

Entry requirements

The University offers different entry requirements, depending on your background. Find out more about Standard and Minimum entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.

For degrees combining more than one subject, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. You will also need to meet any further subject-specific entry requirements as outlined on their pages.

• Standard entry grades:

  AAAAB, including A in Mathematics.

  Minimum entry grades:

  AAAB, including A in Mathematics.

• Standard entry grades:

  A*A*A, including A* in Mathematics.

  Minimum entry grades:

  A*AB, including A* in Mathematics.

• Standard entry grades:

  38 (HL 6,6,6), including HL6 in Mathematics.

  Minimum entry grades:

  36 (HL 6,5,5), including HL6 in Mathematics.

General entry requirements

All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to the specific entry requirements for individual programmes.

• SQA National 5 (B) in English and one SQA National 5 (B) from the following:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computing science
  • Geography
  • Applications of Mathematics
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Psychology.

• GCSE (5) in English language or English literature, and one GCSE (5) from the following:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computing Science
  • Geography
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Psychology.

Other qualifications

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes. Please see our entry requirements for more information.

More information on how to apply via other entry routes or accreditation of prior learning and experience can be found on the University’s entry requirements web page.

Do I need to have studied this subject before?

Yes, applicants are expected to have studied Mathematics at SQA Higher, GCE A-Level, or equivalent. Typical successful applicants will have studied Mathematics at SQA Advanced Higher, Further Mathematics at GCE A-level, or equivalent.

Alternative study options

Students interested in this course may also be interested in the following:

BSc

Students on this programme may apply to change to the BSc at any point during their sub-honours years or third year of study. Students can also take Mathematics as a standard four-year BSc or MA degree.

Direct entry to second year

Well-qualified school leavers are able to apply for direct entry to second year of this course. There is also the option to switch to direct entry on arrival at St Andrews.

Study abroad

Mathematics students can apply to participate in the University-wide St Andrews Abroad programme. For information about study abroad options, please see the study abroad site.

International applicants

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. Find out more about approved English language tests and scores for this course.

Careers

Demand for mathematically trained graduates vastly outstrips the supply, and hence career prospects are excellent in a variety of fields. 

Recruiters seek numerate graduates who are literate, think logically, write and present well, and can work with relevant technology – St Andrews degrees develop all of these skills. 

A mathematics degree is recognised as a substantial achievement in a demanding discipline. 

Around 30% of St Andrews graduates continue on to postgraduate study, either in mathematics or related disciplines such as computer science, finance, or physics. 

The majority of the remaining graduates gain employment in areas including: 

• technology firms or computer consultancies 
• financial services organisations (for example, Goldman Sachs, KPMG, and PwC)  
• industry 
• insurance companies 
• merchant banks 
• the civil service 
• teaching

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.