Frequently asked questions - Applying to the School of Mathematics

What are your typical entry requirements?

Our standard offer is:

  • BSc programmes - AAA including an A in Mathematics or Further Mathematics
  • MSci programmes - A*AA including an A in Mathematics or Further Mathematics

For students taking additional qualifications such as the EPQ or STEP examination we may make alternate offers that take these into account.

You can find out whether you might be eligible for an offer to study with us by using our Offer Calculator Tool.

Do you consider qualifications other than A Levels?

We welcome applications from students studying other courses, such as the International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers, etc.

Please note that BTEC qualifications are only considered in combination with other qualifications.

You can also find more information on international entry requirements online, as well as typical entry requirements via the Your Country pages.

We are happy to discuss your individual offer, and you can get in touch with the team at maths@bham.ac.uk.

Do you require STEP examinations?

We do not require the STEP examinations. If you are taking a STEP paper and achieve a grade 2 or better, we may make you an alternate offer that take these into account.

What should I include in my personal statement?

A personal statement is a great way for us to get to know who you are: we want to know why you want to study mathematics, where your interests in the subject lie and any relevant extra-curricular activities that you do.

There’s some great advice on how to write a personal statement, including what topics to cover, and how to make your application stand out.

I’m from a widening participation background. What support do you provide?

The University makes contextual offers for students from widening participation backgrounds. We also participate in the Access to Birmingham (A2B) and Inspired@Birmingham schemes for attending one of partner institutions in the West Midlands.

Do you offer Foundation Years?

We do offer Foundation Year programmes for students not eligible to join our year 1 study.

If you are a UK student who is not studying A Level Mathematics you can consider a Foundation Year programme which can lead to entry onto one of our courses.

If you are an international student whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities, we offer specially structured foundation pathways. Further details can be found on Birmingham International Academy web pages. Please note that standard English language requirements apply.