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Financial Mathematics BSc

Key Information

Course code

GN13

GND3 with placement

Start date

September

Placement available

Mode of study

3 years full-time

4 years full-time with placement

Fees

2024/25

UK £9,250

International £21,260

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Entry requirements

2024/25

ABB - ABC (A-level)

DDM and A-level in Maths or Further Maths at grade A. (BTEC)

30 (IB)

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Overview

Ranked no.4 in London for student satisfaction in mathematics by The Complete University Guide 2024.

Mathematics is a fundamental subject that is critical to our understanding of the world. Through the study of mathematics you’ll advance your problem solving skills, develop your reasoning and increase your analytical thinking. This is why mathematics forms a basis to so many careers. Yes – it is a discipline in its own right, but it is also the thinking behind countless commercial, industrial and technological activities. Mathematical models underpin engineering, the applied sciences, computing and many aspects of management today.

Follow the four-year ‘Professional Placement’ degree programme and you‘ll benefit from our extensive experience in helping students to find well-paid work placements with blue-chip companies. Our sandwich students find that their mathematical and transferable skills are in demand in many sectors, both in the UK and abroad.

Areas recently offering placements include: accountancy, aviation, banking, defence, finance, insurance, IT (software development, network management and design), management (public and private sector), marketing and telecommunications.

The Financial Mathematics BSc covers the application of mathematical methods to financial problems so if you’re looking to work in the fast-moving world of finance or commerce then this is the course for you. Two thirds of the course content focuses on developing your mathematical knowledge and skills. The rest of the course covers financial markets, corporate investment and finance.

This programme 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.

Institute of Mathematics

Course content

Two thirds of your course will be shared with the BSc in Mathematics so much of your level one will cover the broad range of mathematics with the addition of specialist finance areas such as Financial Markets and an Introduction to Data Handing for Finance. At Brunel we aim to make your transition into the university style of learning as easy as possible. So in the first few weeks of Level 1 you’ll start your learning in small groups of about 20 students.

By Level 2 you’ll be learning through lectures, seminars and in computer labs, and an individual piece of course-work will account for one third of Level 3. You’ll be able to select from a large number of projects covering a wide range of mathematical areas and applications. Your project will be supervised by a staff member. You’ll emphasise real applications or abstract theories, using theoretical and/or computational tools. If you’ve completed a placement you will be able to choose a project associated with your work experience. Examples of project titles are:

  • The very famous ‘travelling salesman problem’ (also known as ‘the lazy waiter’!);
  • Simulations of iterated Prisoner’s Dilemma and game theory
  • The mathematics of complex networks such as the web or Facebook
  • Applications of statistics to the Premier League, police complaints data and climate change

You’ll also have the opportunity to study modern theories in quantitative finance, with particular emphasis on the maths and computation underlying the powerful and influential financial derivatives (e.g. options) industry. Often termed the ‘Black-Scholes theory’, this is famous for winning its discoverers a Nobel prize, as well as for its misapplication often being blamed (rightly or wrongly) for the current worldwide financial crisis.

Compulsory

  • Fundamentals of Mathematics

    Aims to manipulate mathematical expressions accurately, as well as recall and use mathematical formulae in areas of interest for Year 1. To develop skills in handling summation notation. To introduce students to fundamental results in mathematics. To develop an understanding of the need for rigour in definitions and proofs. To introduce the language of formal mathematics, in particular sets and functions.

  • Calculus 1
    This module aims to familiarise students with the basic results, techniques and elementary functions of differential and integral calculus, to introduce students to rigorous definitions, arguments and proofs through many simple examples, to develop students’ manipulative skills in performing operations in differential calculus through work on many simple examples, and to illustrate the solution techniques of first order differential equations.
  • Calculus 2

    Aims to further develop skills in differential and integral calculus and associated applications. To further develop students’ manipulative skills in performing operations in differential calculus through work on examples, including solution techniques of ordinary differential equations.

  • Linear Algebra
    This module aims to enable students to understand and become proficient in basic linear algebra and the algebra of complex numbers, to determine the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of matrices and understand their role in the theory of similar matrices and diagonalization, and to see and practice applications of linear algebra.
  • Elements of Applied Mathematics 1
    The first of a sequence of blocks aimed at developing modelling skills. The main aim of this module is for students to develop a facility for mathematical modelling by examining a problem in its original form, extracting the principal features, formulating and solving appropriate mathematical models, and interpreting the results in terms of the original problems.
  • Elements of Applied Mathematics 2

    Second of a pair of modules developing modelling skills. Furthering a facility for mathematical modelling by examining a problem in its original form, extracting the principal features, formulating and solving appropriate mathematical models and interpreting the results in terms of the original problems.

Compulsory

  • Elements of Investment Mathematics

    Aims to introduce the mathematics of deterministic cash flow streams. To introduce the concepts of optimum allocation of financial resources under uncertainty and issues of financial planning and with the models that provide mathematical descriptions of these investment problems. To introduce financial risk measures and illustrate how they can be incorporated in financial planning models. To implement simulations in software.

  • Linear and Abstract Algebra

    Aims to enlarge the set of technical tools of linear algebra and develop its applications to different problems, including construction and analysis of linear models. To introduce basic algebraic structures, concentrating on group theory. To exemplify their power, relevance and importance in real life applications.

  • Calculus 3

    Aims to develop ideas and methods of multivariable calculus, including Taylor series, extrema, the use of Lagrange multipliers, and the integration of functions of several variables. To understand the extension from single variable to several variables of basic concepts such as continuity and differentiability.

  • Applied Statistics

    Aims to introduce and consolidate the notions of single and multivariable probability. Introduce statistical tools and explain their use in extracting and/or inferring meaning from data. To introduce sampling and inference, along with confidence intervals and hypothesis tests.

  • Professional Development and Project Work

    Aims to develop skills required for planning and obtaining employment, whether it is an internship, a placement or a graduate job, in a field related to the student degree programme. To see the development of these skills as a continuing, managed, lifelong process. To apply techniques, methods, algorithms and/or theories to an applied problem cognate to your degree studies.

Compulsory

  • Mathematical Finance
    This module aims to introduce the students to the main aspects of modern mathematical finance, in particular to the Black-Scholes-Merton theory of option pricing, the ideas of arbitrage pricing, replication and dynamic hedging. It aims to illustrate the necessary ideas from continuous time stochastic process theory by using discrete time models to, in particular, outline the concept of a lognormal random walk.
  • Financial Mathematics Final Year Project
    The aim of this module is to stimulate independent learning and critical thinking by the student, both as a means for studying their chosen topic and for approaching other real-life problems of use in finance. This enables the student to plan, execute and present a substantial piece of work, gain experience in the written communication of complex ideas and concepts, and foster an interest in the study of more advanced topics in financial mathematics.

Optional

  • Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations
    This module aims to introduce students to the mathematics of differential equations; techniques of analysing such equations, and methods of solving them, exactly or approximately.
  • Numerical Methods for Differential Equations
    This module aims to introduce numerical methods used to solve problems in financial mathematics, in particular option pricing, and implement them. Most examples treated will be taken from finance, but the module will be suitable for students mostly interested in advanced numerical methods, in particular finite differences algorithms used to approximate solutions of PDEs. The Matlab implementations of the algorithms will be an important part of the module.
  • Decision Making in the Face of Risk
  • Experimental Design and Regression
  • Practical Machine Learning
  • Deep Learning

    Within this module, an in-depth introduction will be provided to the area of learning using deep neural networks. A wide variety of the architectures of deep neural networks and their learning methods will be covered, including convolutional networks, recurrent networks, generative models and deep reinforcement learning etc. The main focus of the module is to develop students’ skill in analysing of problem requirements, applying appropriate deep learning methods to real-world problems, and evaluating the effectiveness of the adopted approach.

  • Stochastic Models
    This module aims to introduce students to the concept of a stochastic process, so that they may develop an understanding of the theory underlying some of the standard models and acquire knowledge of methods of applying these models to solve problems. Students will further develop their general ability to think abstractly, to generalise, to formulate and structure stochastic problems, and to apply their knowledge of analytical and numerical mathematical techniques to solving a variety of problems in stochastic modelling.

This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.

This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.


Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Careers and your future

There is massive demand within financial institutions for mathematically trained graduates with an awareness of markets and their workings. The recent combination of financial deregulation, increased globalisation and technological advance has led to a huge increase in the nature and volume of financial derivatives contracts traded around the world.

As a Brunel Financial Maths graduate you will enjoy excellent employment prospects. Our combination of work experience and up-to-date teaching means that you will be well-equipped to follow the career you want after graduation.

Our combination of work experience and up-to-date teaching means that you will be well-equipped to follow the career you want after graduation.

These are some of the type of careers you could pursue:

  • Finance: banking, accountancy, actuarial, tax, underwriter, pensions, insurance
  • Medicine: medical statistics, medical and epidemiological research, pharmaceutical research
  • Design: engineering design, computer games
  • Science: biotechnology, meteorology, oceanography, pure and applied research and development
  • Civil Service: scientists (‘Fast Stream’, DSTL, DESG), GCHQ, security service, statisticians
  • Business: logistics, financial analysis, marketing, market research, sales oil industry, management consultancy, operational research
  • IT: Systems analysis, research
  • Engineering: aerospace, building design, transport planning, telecommunications, surveying.

UK entry requirements

2024/25 entry

  • GCE A-level ABB-ABC, including grade A in Mathematics or Further Mathematics.
  • BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma DDM, plus A-level Mathematics or Further Mathematics at Grade A.
  • BTEC Level 3 Diploma DM in any subject with an A-level Mathematics or Further Mathematics at grade A.
  • BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma D in any subject with A-levels grade AC including grade A in Mathematics or Further Mathematics.
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma 30 points, including 6 in Higher Level Mathematics. GCSE English equivalent SL 5 or HL 4
  • Obtain a minimum of 120 UCAS tariff points in the Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3 and A-level in Mathematics or Further Mathematics grade A.
  • T levels : Merit overall and grade A in A level Maths

For Brunel Mathematics with an Integrated Foundation Year requirements, see the course pages.

Five GCSEs at grade C or grade 4 and above are also required, to include Maths and English Language.

Brunel University London is committed to raising the aspirations of our applicants and students. We will fully review your UCAS application and, where we’re able to offer a place, this will be personalised to you based on your application and education journey.

Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants as well as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSEs.

EU and International entry requirements

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6 (min 5.5 in all areas)
  • Pearson: 59 (59 in all sub scores)
  • BrunELT: 58% (min 55% in all areas)
  • TOEFL: 77 (min R18, L17, S20, W17) 

You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.

Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.

Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.

Fees and funding

2024/25 entry

UK

£9,250 full-time

£1,385 placement year

International

£21,260 full-time

£1,385 placement year

Fees quoted are per year and may be subject to an annual increase. Home undergraduate student fees are regulated and are currently capped at £9,250 per year; any changes will be subject to changes in government policy. International fees will increase annually, by no more than 5% or RPI (Retail Price Index), whichever is the greater.

More information on any additional course-related costs.

See our fees and funding page for full details of undergraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.

Please refer to the scholarships pages to view discounts available to eligible EU undergraduate applicants.

Scholarships and bursaries

Teaching and learning

Lectures will primarily be delivered in-person on-campus, though some may be delivered online either as pre-recorded or live sessions. The expectation is that you will attend all timetabled on-campus lectures, and that online lectures will be viewed by you in advance of related on-campus activities. 

Tutorials & discussion-based sessions will primarily be delivered in-person on campus, though some may be delivered online in order to supplement on-campus learning. You will attend all timetabled on-campus or online tutorials. 

Computing Labs will primarily be delivered in-person on campus, though some may be delivered online in order to supplement on-campus learning. The expectation is that you will attend all timetabled on-campus or online computing labs and be provided with access to the specialised software required. 

Support/resources: Learning materials for every module will be made available online, through the University’s Virtual Learning Environment. 

Assessments will be varied, and may include: CAA (computer aided assessment) tests, written coursework assessments (including software tasks), presentations (in-person or video presentations) and written examinations. You will be expected to attend assessments in-person on campus. 

Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.

We have computers available across campus for your use and laptop loan schemes to support you through your studies. You can find out more here.

Mathematics at Brunel has an active and dynamic research centre and many of our lecturers are widely published and highly recognised in their fields. Their work is frequently supported by external grants and contracts with leading industry and government establishments. Lecturers are consequently at the frontiers of the subject and in active contact with modern users of mathematics. This means that you can be assured that our academics are teaching you a truly up-to-date degree and you’ll benefit from a wide range of expertise across the different areas of mathematics.

Your academics are always here to help and offer support. There are maths and numeracy workshops run throughout the year where you can seek support in linear algebra, complex calculus, LaTeX, MATLAB and more. You’ll also benefit from the extra support offered to you at our Maths Café. Here you can bring along any maths-related questions and receive one-to-one help in an informal setting.

Our teaching methods help you to bridge the school-university gap. Our small classes at the beginning of Level 1 mean that you’ll get to know your lecturers and be able to discuss any problems with them. You’ll also have a mentor allocated to you from Level 2 or 3 who will be available to give advice and answer any questions you might have. At Brunel, we realise that you might not remember everything from your previous studies and we offer plenty of opportunities to reinforce essential skills such as algebraic manipulation and trigonometry. We even offer extra help sessions throughout the year.

Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.

Assessment and feedback

The ‘exams to coursework’ ratio is around 50:50 in Level 1, increasing to 70:30 in Level 3.We base your final degree class on your performance at Levels 2 and 3. Level 3 carries twice the weight of Level 2. We run weekly essential skills tests to keep you up-to-date with the theory learnt in previous lessons so you’ll feel fully prepared for your exams.