Program Overview

Overview of the BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Computing Course

The BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Computing course at the University of Essex is a three-year full-time program that combines the study of mathematics and computing. The course is designed to provide students with a solid grounding in mathematical concepts and techniques, as well as training in programming and algorithms.

Course Details

• Start date: October 2026
• Study mode: Full-time
• Course options: 3 years, + Year Abroad, + Placement Year
• Location: Colchester Campus
• Based in: Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science (School of)
• UCAS code: G1GK

Professional Accreditation

This program will meet the educational requirements of the Chartered Mathematician designation, awarded by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, when it is followed by subsequent training and experience in employment to obtain equivalent competences to those specified by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for taught master's degrees.

Why Choose This Course?

• 86% of Essex graduates are in employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2025).
• The University of Essex is ranked 6th in the UK for mathematics (Guardian University Guide 2026) and 6th for student positivity in mathematics (National Student Survey 2025, English Broad Discipline Universities).
• The School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science is continually broadening its array of expertise, allowing students to tailor their degree to their interests.

Study Abroad

Students have the opportunity to spend a year or a term studying abroad at one of the University's partner universities. This experience allows students to broaden their degree socially and academically, demonstrate maturity, adaptability, and organization to employers, and experience other cultures and languages. If a student spends a full year abroad, they will only pay 15% of their usual tuition fee to Essex for that year.

Placement Year

Alternatively, students can spend their third year on a placement year with an external organization. This experience enables students to learn about a particular sector, company, or job role, apply their academic knowledge in a practical working environment, and receive inspiration for future career pathways. If a student completes a placement year, they will only pay 20% of their usual tuition fee to Essex for that year.

Expert Staff

The mathematics staff at the University of Essex are world-class academics and award-winning teachers. Many have won national or regional awards for lecturing, and some are qualified and accredited teachers, which is rare at a university.

Specialist Facilities

The University offers extensive learning resources, including:

• A Maths Support Centre that provides help with mathematical problems.
• Computer labs for the exclusive use of students in the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering.
• A dedicated social and study space for maths students situated in the STEM Centre.
• Access to software such as Java, Prolog, C++, Perl, Mysql, MATLAB, DB2, Microsoft Office, Visual Studio, and Project.
• CAD tools and simulators for chip design (Xilinx) and computer networks (OMNeT++).
• Specialist facilities for research into areas including non-invasive brain-computer interfaces, intelligent environments, robotics, optoelectronics, video, RF and MW, printed circuit milling, and semiconductors.

Your Future

Mathematics and computing graduates are highly employable in a wide range of industries, including business, pharmaceutical industries, banking, and computing. Recent graduates from this course have found employment as junior software programmers, web designers, and web developers.

Entry Requirements

UK Entry Requirements

• A-levels: BBB - BBC or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels, including B in Mathematics or Further Mathematics.
• BTEC: DDM - DMM or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels and only in conjunction with A-level Maths.
• Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels or equivalent, including B in Mathematics or Further Mathematics.
• IB: 30 - 29 points in the IB Diploma or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of 2 Higher Level subjects including Higher Level Mathematics grade 5.
• IB Career-related Programme: Combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications are considered. Advice on acceptability can be provided.
• QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points, depending on the subject studied. The Access to HE Diploma is only acceptable in conjunction with A-level Mathematics.
• T-levels: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points. T-levels are considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on the subject studied.

International & EU Entry Requirements

The University accepts a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. International students should contact the University for specific requirements.

English Language Requirements

• English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or a specified score in another equivalent test that the University accepts.
• Details of English language requirements, including component scores, and the tests the University accepts for applicants who require a Student visa can be found on the University's website.

Structure

The course structure is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The modules listed are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

Year 1

• COMPONENT 01: CORE - Introduction to Programming (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 02: CORE - Object-Oriented Programming (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 03: CORE - Calculus (30 credits)
• COMPONENT 04: CORE - Statistics I (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 05: CORE - Matrices and Complex Numbers (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY - Mathematical and Computational Modelling (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 07: COMPULSORY - Discrete Mathematics (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 08: COMPULSORY - Mathematics Careers and Employability (0 credits)

Year 2

• COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY - Application Programming (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY - Data Structures and Algorithms (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY - Linear Algebra (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY - Statistics II (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY - Real Analysis (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY - Optimisation (Linear Programming) (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 07: COMPULSORY - Numerical Methods (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 08: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS - MA202-5-SP or MA204-5-SP (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 09: COMPULSORY - Mathematics Careers and Employability (0 credits)

Year 3

• COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY - Complex Variables (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS - MA829-6-AU or MA830-6-SP (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 03: OPTIONAL - Computing option(s) from list (30 credits)
• COMPONENT 04: OPTIONAL - Mathematics option(s) from list (60 credits)
• COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY - Mathematics Careers and Employability (0 credits)

Teaching and Assessment

• Undergraduate students in the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science typically attend three taught hours per module per week.
• A significant amount of practical lab work will be undertaken for written assignments and as part of learning.
• Students take a mathematics careers and employability module, where they compile a portfolio of skills and experience.
• The final mark is a weighted combination of coursework and summer examinations.
• The first year of study does not count towards the final degree class.
• Students receive regular feedback through in-term tests.
• In the final year, students have the opportunity to complete a full-year or one-term project.

Fees and Funding

• Home/UK fee: ｣9,790 per year
• International fee: ｣22,600 per year
• Fees will increase for each academic year of study.
• If the course includes a placement year or study abroad, students will pay:
  • Placement year: 20% of the standard tuition fee for that year
  • Study abroad: 15% of the standard tuition fee for that year (for a full year abroad)

What's Next

• Open Days: The University runs Open Days throughout the year, which provide an opportunity to discover what the campus has to offer, tour the campus and accommodation, and meet students and staff.
• Applying: Applications for full-time undergraduate courses should be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
• UCAS code: The UCAS code for the University of Essex is ESSEX E70.