Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £9,535 per year
International/EU: £17,155 per year (£1,200 for placement year) -
How long will I study?
4/5 Years
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Where will I study?
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What are the entry requirements?
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What is the UCAS code?
A032
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When do I start?
September 2025
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Placement year available?
Yes
Course summary
- Apply your existing maths skills while gaining new knowledge and techniques.
- Understand the vital ways we use maths in modern life and real-world contexts.
- Explore technological, scientific and digital developments with far-reaching impacts.
- Use the latest technology to enhance your mathematical understanding.
- Develop your skills through real-life projects and work placements.
At Sheffield Hallam we’re especially keen to use mathematical modelling to address sustainability challenges. Whether you’re modelling the spread of infectious diseases, managing the sustainable use of renewable resources, designing for energy efficiency, or simulating sustainable transport – maths is at the heart of some of the biggest global issues we face.
This foundation year course is for those who don't meet the entry requirements for our BSc Hon Mathematics course, or would like extra preparation before starting degree-level study.
Come to an open day
Visit us to learn more about our gold-rated teaching and why we were awarded the highest possible rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework.
How you learn
Our approach to teaching and learning puts students at the centre, supporting you to develop your understanding of mathematical concepts and your ability to apply them in various contexts. These contexts are informed by our links with industry, including live projects where you work in partnership with local companies and charities on issues they’re facing.
You’ll learn from lecturers who are internationally recognised for their research and teaching methods. The teaching team also includes experts in mathematical research – including in mathematical modelling, statistics and pure mathematics.
You learn through:
- Diverse lectures emphasising peer collaboration.
- Tutorials to practise and apply your knowledge ahead of assessments.
- Hands-on lab experience in computational modelling and simulation.
- Q&A and discussions for self-assessment and understanding.
- Support sessions for receiving feedback and preparing for assessments.
- Teamwork activities for collaboration in an innovative environment.
- Project-based learning to apply knowledge, creativity, design, critical analysis and professional skills to real-world projects.
We use a variety of assessment types designed to allow you to show your best mathematical work and to prepare you for a range of future careers. You’ll get feedback on your developing ideas through tutorial exercises and your skills and knowledge will be assessed via exams, presentations, reports and interviews.
Course Topics
You’ll learn all the core maths techniques you need – algebra, calculus and data analysis – with a strong focus on how to apply them to the real world. Key themes include mathematical modelling, how mathematics is used in society and how it can help tackle global sustainability challenges.
You’ll begin the course by deepening your mathematics knowledge and skills – from computer programming and rigour to core principles of proof and reasoning. You’ll then learn how to apply your learning, gaining practical experience by analysing and presenting data for businesses. You’ll encounter logistical problems and build mathematical models to solve them – in a project that’s often run by Sheffield United FC.
You’ll refine your modelling skills, develop your communication skills and improve your mathematical reasoning skills. By the end of the year you’ll have an excellent grounding in key mathematical thinking and understanding, ready to explore further ideas in your final year.
In your final year you’ll apply your knowledge to specific topics. You can also choose a project or dissertation topic set by a real company. Our support team can help you to arrange this, and you’ll liaise with both your supervisor and contacts from the company to complete your project.
Course Support
Our department runs smaller group sizes, offering you a close-knit and supportive environment where we emphasise collaboration over lecturing.
You’ll be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate-level employment. This includes:
- Access to specialist support services to help with your personal, academic and career development.
- Access to our Skills Centre for support with one-to-ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments and assessment preparation.
- Industry-specific employability activities, including work placements, live projects and networking opportunities.
Course leaders and tutors
Tim Spencer
Research FellowTim's research at MERI involves the application of theory and simulation techniques for the predictive modelling of real life systems that involve fluids.
Applied learning
Live Projects
We embed real-life case studies and work experience into the course to support your development into a professional mathematician. You’ll explore case studies from areas such as mathematical modelling, machine learning, AI, data analysis and climate science. Some of these are presented by our academic experts in those fields – others by guest lecturers from our industry partners in the local region, giving you direct links to future employers and the opportunity for professional networking.
Live projects form an essential part of our teaching. You’ll work on live data sets from local businesses, government, health trusts or charities – developing essential skills such as project management, teamwork and reporting, and presenting results to both technical and non-technical audiences. By undertaking this work, you’re also gaining real work experience as a consultant, preparing you for your future career.
Work Placements
You’ll have the opportunity to arrange a year-long work placement in between your second and third years. This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career – and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.
Your course is designed to give you the knowledge, confidence and readiness to secure and succeed in your placement. You’ll also have access to various support activities, resources, employer events and opportunities from your Careers & Employability Team, helping you to make the most of your work experience opportunities during your degree.
Previous students have secured placements at businesses such as HSBC, WSP, Volkswagen, Covance, Paraxel, Disney, the UK government and the Civil Service.
Networking Opportunities
You’ll have the opportunity to attend scheduled events across the academic year and meet industry partners, employers and researchers. You'll also have the chance to attend alumni presentations where you can gain insights from previous students before you graduate. And we have a popular Maths and Physics society, which has previously organised trips to the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland.
Future careers
Maths leads to a broad range of careers because the skills you develop are widely applicable. Whether you have an idea of where you’re heading or not, we’ll help you find and achieve your goals.
This course prepares graduates who are highly employable in many general and specialist graduate roles, including:
- Scientific or medical research
- Medicine and health logistics
- Engineering
- Business logistics, market research and data analysis
- Local and national government
- Finance and banking, wealth management, counter fraud
- IT/technology
- Teaching
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for:
- HSBC
- Lloyds Banking Group
- Direct Line
- Experian
- WSP
- BAE Systems
- Volkswagen
- International Airlines Group
- Reckitt
- AstraZeneca
- Covance
- Parexel
- NHS England
- Disney
- UK Government Civil Service
- Amazon Logistics
- Nectar360 at Sainsbury’s
Further study is also a popular option – including postgraduate study in mathematics, cybersecurity, neuroscience, quantity surveying and teaching.
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
Maths students and staff from every year of the course have a shared work and study space – the Maths and Physics floor. It’s intended to build a strong community and designed for collaborative use across a range of facilities:
- Group working areas.
- Large screens and whiteboards for discussions.
- Spaces for individual study, with PCs and laptop loans.
- Meeting rooms.
- A large multi-purpose teaching room.
- Industry-leading statistics software, including SAS.
Media Gallery
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 80
This must include at least 32 points from one A level or equivalent BTEC qualifications. For example:
- CDD at A Level.
- MMP in BTEC Extended Diploma.
- Pass overall from a T level qualification with C from core
- A combination of qualifications, which may include a maximum of one AS level, EPQ and general studies
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
GCSE
- English Language at grade C or 4
- Maths at grade C or 4
- Science at grade C or 4
*GCSE Equivalents
- Level 2 Literacy or Functional Skills Level 2 English
- Level 2 Numeracy or Functional Skills Level 2 Maths
• Access - an Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.
We may also accept you, if you have no formal qualifications but can show evidence of ability and a genuine commitment to studying the subject.
Some applicants may be invited to attend an informal interview with the course leader to ensure that the programme is suitable for themselves and their aspirations.
UK students may be able to claim financial support for the course.
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Engineering And Mathematics In Practice
Foundation Mathematics, Mechanics And Electronics 1
Foundation Mathematics, Mechanics And Electronics 2
Fundamentals Of Materials And Manufacturing
Year 2
Compulsory modules
Applied Data Analysis
Mathematical And Statistical Methods
Modelling And Differential Equations
Proof And Reasoning
Year 3
Compulsory modules
Advanced Calculus, Linear Algebra And Operational Research
Applied Mathematical And Statistical Modelling
Mathematical Analysis
Statistical Theory And Modelling
Elective modules
Study Abroad - Computing And Digital Technologies
Year 4
Optional modules
Placement Year
Final year
Compulsory modules
Advanced Topics In Mathematics And Its Applications
Further Topics In Mathematics And Its Applications
Project: Implementation
Project: Management And Scoping
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate degree courses in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year). These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years. We are currently reviewing our tuition fees for the foundation year stage of this course following the Government announcement of fee changes for some foundation year courses and will confirm fees as soon as possible.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,155 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for School of Computing and Digital Technologies (PDF, 131.3KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
