What Can I do with a Degree in Maths?

If you have an aptitude for numerical reasoning and enjoy working out complex equations you may find yourself considering a course heavily based in Maths. Engineering, computers, science, accounting, actuarial studies, statistics will all give you enough maths to satisfy your hunger for problem solving.

But what if you took the plunge and studied an exclusive maths degree; what then?

What could you possibly do with a degree in maths?

Just about anything!

Employers want Maths Graduates

Although there are few companies hiring mathematicians, maths graduates are highly sought after. Maths graduates have highly developed problem-solving skills; a trait that gives mathematicians an advantage in acquiring other skills quickly and efficiently.

Mathematicians are in high demand from a diverse range of employers. Maths graduates can demonstrate many of the skills employers are looking for; they have the upper hand over graduates in other disciplines as employers are aware of the more specialised skills set maths graduates develop – in particular problem solving and critical thinking skills. In a 2018 report issued by the World Economic Forum on future skills for 2020, problem solving and critical thinking featured in the top ten career skills employers want from their employees.

Maths Careers

Many students who embark on a degree in maths have little idea of what the trajectory of their career will be but it is widely understood that a degree in maths is a launching pad or a gateway to a variety of career opportunities that are numerous and can be fairly lucrative.

In general, a large number of maths careers are based within business or science and technology-related sectors, with maths graduates occupying roles such as accountant, actuary, statistician, technician, economist or market researcher. Below is a list of sectors maths graduate can enter – some areas might surprise you!

Advertising and Marketing
Business and Operational Research
Civil Service
Data Science
Education
Engineering
Finance and Banking
Insurance and Risk
IT and Computers
Medicine and Health
The Natural and Life Sciences

Careers chosen by mathematicians fall loosely into three categories

1. Careers directly related to maths. These include all forms of teaching and academic work. There are positions in industry or Civil Service which involve using mathematical, statistical, and computing knowledge which are acquired through studying maths. Positions in IT and in finance demand a strong mathematical knowledge.

2. Careers that involve thinking logically and quantitatively. Typical examples include actuarial, accounting, banking etc.

3. Wide career pool open to graduates of many disciplines – as previously stated, maths graduates develop a specialised skills set that often gives them an advantage over competition from other disciplines. Maths graduates have highly developed numerical and logical thinking skills, and the ability to analyse difficult problems. A degree in maths provides the analytical skills and methods of decision making that are necessary in just about any work place.