Studying here

The Department of Mathematics offers a broad range of challenging and interesting degrees (Pure Mathematics, Mathematical Physics, Financial Mathematics, Statistics and the Mathematics of Information), taught by leading researchers in their fields.

We promote a friendly and inspiring environment where you’ll be known as an individual and be encouraged to follow your strengths and interests to enjoy your studies and achieve your full potential. We continuously update our curriculum to achieve a flexible offering that allows our graduates to succeed in MSc and PhD programmes as well as in future employment. Our department ranks among the Top 30 UK Maths departments (The Guardian University Guide, 2024).

Why study Maths at Royal Holloway?

Flexible, wide-ranging courses

We offer a wide range of flexible degree courses, which enable you to mix Mathematics with other subjects and explore your broader interests.

Our degree choices centre around two specialist degrees: the MSci in Mathematics (a four-year degree) and the BSc in Mathematics (a three-year degree). We also offer a BSc in Mathematics with Statistics, enabling you to concentrate on the theory and applications of statistics.

You’ll cover a varied curriculum as part of our challenging courses, which may include pure mathematics, statistics, cryptology, quantum mechanics, informatics and financial mathematics.

Alternatively, you can choose from a variety of degree courses that are shared between Mathematics and another subject so you can pursue your other interests at the same time.

If you are looking for extra support to make the transition to a degree, our BSc Mathematics with Integrated Foundation Year could be for you.

Strong research culture that informs our teaching

Our department is internationally-recognised for the quality of our research particularly in Pure Mathematics, Information Security, Statistics and Theoretical Physics. In the most recent Research assessment 96% of Maths research output was judged to be world-leading and internationally excellent (REF, 2021).

As a result, our courses are taught by academic staff active in pioneering world-leading research. Their passion and enthusiasm for the subject transmits through their teaching.

A supportive learning environment

Our staff support problem-solving sessions, workshops and computer lessons that use a range of specialist mathematical software, which will help you gain your degree. We particularly support the transition from school to university.

We create a supportive learning environment for our students by always being on hand to help, having generous office hours and assigning a personal adviser to every student when they start.

Our inspirational staff, who are acknowledged experts in their fields, put a strong focus on supportive teaching, leading to a friendly and motivating atmosphere where you’ll be known as an individual.

You’ll be encouraged to follow your strengths and interests to achieve your best possible degree.

Our efforts to create an inclusive environment and encourage women’s participation and progression through departmental initiatives have been rewarded with the Athena SWAN Bronze award.

High employability prospects

At Royal Holloway you will be able to study the Maths you enjoy while developing your skills for a successful future.

Our degrees are accredited by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA). Accreditation is one way of showing employers you have the knowledge and skills that they are looking for.

The department has a track record of producing high-achieving graduates, well-prepared for future employment or MSc or PhD programmes at Royal Holloway and other top universities like the University of Oxford or Imperial.

Throughout your degree, you’ll have opportunities to develop your employability skills, write a CV and have the chance to take part in a summer placement scheme between your second and third year. You can also opt to take a one year placement to gain professional work experience or study abroad to develop wider skills and broaden your education.

There’s also on-campus support from the Careers Service, offering plenty of opportunities to develop transferable skills and prepare yourself effectively for graduate jobs.

A range of postgraduate options

We offer postgraduate opportunities within our thriving research portfolio, including links with the internationally-renowned Information Security Group at Royal Holloway, and excellent ties with industry.

Find out about postgraduate research opportunities here

Extra-curricular activities

As well as your studies, we offer plenty of extra-curricular activities for you to get involved in to broaden your student experience, help you meet like-minded people and gain skills to boost your CV.

You can get involved in our Apex Club or our Mathematics Society, which is a place for both Mathematics students and those interested in the subject, to share their interests and attend social and academic events together.

Students have access to seminars and special lectures - introducing you to exciting, cutting-edge aspects of Mathematics not normally covered in an undergraduate curriculum. There are also opportunities to get involved with extensive outreach activities, including the Royal Holloway Science Festival.