Mathematics with Accounting BSc

Program Overview

The BSc Mathematics with Accounting program at the University of Exeter combines mathematical expertise with accounting knowledge, preparing students for careers in accountancy or business. The program, jointly delivered by the Mathematics department and Business School, offers a comprehensive understanding of financial reporting, management accounting, and statistical analysis. Students can opt for a Year in Industry to gain practical experience and enhance their employability.

Program Outline

BSc Mathematics with Accounting at the University of Exeter

Degree Overview:

• Taught in partnership: The program is jointly delivered by Exeter's Mathematics department and the University's triple-accredited Business School.
• Target audience: Particularly suited for students interested in pursuing a career in accountancy or obtaining professional accounting qualifications before entering the business world.
• Program objectives: Provides a comprehensive understanding of financial reporting and management accounting within a market economy.
• Year in Industry option: Offers the opportunity to extend the degree and spend a year working in industry at companies like Lloyds Banking Group, Coca-Cola, Met Office, and PwC.

Outline:

• Duration: 3 years (standard) or 4 years (with a Year in Industry).
• Discipline: Mathematics.
• Year 1:
• Compulsory modules:
• Foundations (MTH1000)
• Mathematical Structures (MTH1001)
• Mathematical Methods (MTH1002)
• Probability, Statistics and Data (MTH1004)
• Introduction to Financial Accounting (BEA1008)
• Introduction to Management Accounting (BEA1009)
• Year 2:
• Compulsory modules:
• Financial Accounting A (BEA2019)
• Financial Accounting B (BEA2020)
• Intermediate Management Accounting (BEA2017)
• Optional modules:
• Real Analysis (MTH2008)
• Complex Analysis (MTH2009)
• Groups, Rings and Fields (MTH2010)
• Linear Algebra (MTH2011)
• Differential Equations (MTH2003)
• Vector Calculus and Applications (MTH2004)
• Statistical Modelling and Inference (MTH2006)
• Free Choice (XXXXXXX)
• Placement Year (if taken):
• Takes place in the third year of the four-year program.
• Students gain practical experience in a business or industry related to mathematics.
• Placement is worth 120 credits.
• Reduced tuition fees apply during the placement year.
• Final Year:
• Compulsory modules:
• Advanced Management Accounting (BEA3017)
• Advanced Financial Reporting (BEA3020)
• Optional modules:
• Commercial and Industrial Experience (EMP3001)
• Mathematics Group Project (MTH3035)
• Theory of Weather and Climate (MTH3001)
• Number Theory (MTH3004)
• Mathematical Biology and Ecology (MTH3006)
• Fluid Dynamics (MTH3007)
• Partial Differential Equations (MTH3008)
• Nonlinear Systems and Control (MTH3011)
• Applied Differential Geometry (MTH3013)
• Mathematics: History and Culture (MTH3019)
• Graphs, Networks and Algorithms (MTH3022)
• Stochastic Processes (MTH3024)
• Cryptography (MTH3026)
• Statistical Inference: Theory and Practice (MTH3028)
• Mathematics of Climate Change (MTH3030)
• Galois Theory (MTH3038)
• Computational Nonlinear Dynamics (MTH3039)
• Topology and Metric Spaces (MTH3040)
• Bayesian statistics, Philosophy and Practice (MTH3041)
• Integral Equations (MTH3042)
• Bayesian Data Modelling (MTH3044)
• Statistical Computing (MTH3045)
• Functional Analysis (MTH3050)
• Free Choice (up to 30 credits)
• Aerosols, Clouds and Climate (NSC3009)

Assessment:

• Combination of methods: Assessment is through a mix of examinations and coursework.
• Emphasis on exams: Examinations are the primary assessment component.
• Coursework importance: Coursework helps students work consistently throughout the degree, particularly important in mathematics due to its logical progression.
• Assessment schedule: Written examinations are held in January and May/June of the first and second years, and in May/June of each subsequent year.
• Additional assessments: Some modules may include tests, essays, presentations, and/or project reports.

Teaching:

• Diverse methods: Teaching involves a combination of lectures, seminars, examples classes, workshops, and tutorials.
• Lecture frequency: Most mathematics modules have three one-hour lectures per week.
• Tutorial frequency: First-year modules have fortnightly tutorial classes, except for modules involving computing or project work.
• Contact hours: Students typically have around 16 contact hours per week in the first year.
• Foundations module: The 'Foundations' module in the first term helps students transition from A-level to university mathematics.
• Private study: Students are expected to spend around 20 hours per week in private study.
• Project and computer work: Modules at all levels involve project work and report writing, culminating in a major final year research project.
• Computer tools: Modules develop skills in using modern computer tools for data analysis, programming, symbolic algebra, typesetting, and presentation.
• Elective modules: Students can choose optional modules from across the university in years 2 and 3, subject to availability, prerequisites, and program constraints.
• Research-led culture: Teaching is conducted by internationally recognized mathematicians, scientists, and practitioners active in various fields of pure and applied mathematics, statistics, and applications.
• Research involvement: Students have opportunities to participate in research projects, including the independent research project.

Careers:

• Excellent graduate outcomes: Exeter has a strong reputation with graduate recruiters and a high employment record.
• Diverse career paths: Graduates excel in specialist mathematical fields and across various sectors.
• Employer engagement: The university hosts mock interviews, CV workshops, drop-ins, and lectures with local and national employers.
• Careers Service support: The Careers Service offers a range of employer activities, including Careers Fairs, to facilitate networking and job opportunities.
• Industrial experience: Students can take an optional 'Commercial and Industrial Experience' module during the vacation before their final year, gaining paid work experience in a commercial setting.
• Career examples: Recent graduates work as accountants, actuaries, analyst programmers, business analysts, credit risk analysts, data science developers, investment analysts, software engineers, statisticians, and tax managers.

Other:

• Top rankings: The Mathematics department is ranked 16th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 and 18th in the Complete University Guide 2025.
• Study abroad: Students can study abroad at partner universities in Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, and China.
• Proficiency options: Students can gain proficiency in a second subject, such as a foreign language, data science, entrepreneurship, innovation, law, leadership, or social data science, by completing 60 credits in that subject.

UK students: £9,250 per year International students: £27,000 per year