Jaina Stamp

Why did you originally apply to do BSc Mathematics with a Year in Industry at Birmingham?

The most enjoyable aspect of all of my A level subjects tied back to maths. Maths is a great degree to have since it is so versatile and there are so many different career opportunities and pathways that it opens up. When I was applying to university, I didn’t know what career path I wanted to go down at all, so a maths degree enabled me to keep as many doors open as possible. As someone who loves puzzles, I treat maths questions as fun logic problems and I enjoy finding different ways to twist my brain and tackle each question. It’s always so rewarding finding the answer in the end!

What do you think are the best points of your course?

My course helped me adjust from working independently to working collaboratively. Seeing how other people approach problems and learning from them has really accelerated my learning and taught me more efficient ways of tackling problems. I was also surprised with the amount of interaction you get with lecturers. I initially thought I would only see my professors in lectures where I wouldn’t be able to talk to them properly, but there are so many opportunities to ask them questions and get to know them better. Each lecturer has weekly office hours where you can ask them anything about their modules, which makes them feel so much more human and less intimidating. They are all so friendly and are happy to answer any questions you have for them! But the best thing to me is that the course doesn’t only teach you maths, but also how to apply maths in the working world. The group projects enabled me to develop my soft skills such as teamwork, presentation and communication which was a great thing to talk about in applications for my year in industry.

What’s the best thing about studying at the University of Birmingham?

My favourite thing about the university has to be the campus! I love the red brick buildings and the wide range of study spaces around campus; during exam season I tried to find a different place to study every day! I always enjoy the events on campus happening throughout the year, from careers fairs to carousels and ferris wheels. The campus is in the perfect location, with the city centre being a ten-minute train away, so as a student you get the city and campus experience. There’s also such a wide range of sports and societies you can join. If you have been playing a sport for years or have never tried it before, there will always be people at the same level as you so it’s a great opportunity to try out something new! It’s also a great way to meet people who have similar interests as you.

What’s your highlight of your time at the University?

My favourite time at university so far was the last day of exams in first year. After the relief of completing year 1, I went with my course mates to the Vale lake and had a picnic where we played cricket and listened to music. The lake is the perfect place to hang out with other people on a sunny day, or on your own!

What advice would you give to students thinking about studying BSc Mathematics with a Year in Industry?

My best advice would be to use the help provided if you have any questions, no matter how silly they are. There are so many people to reach out to, such as course mates, PGTAs, and lecturers themselves. I would also advise on reading beyond the curriculum since maths is so different to what you learn in school. There are so many great YouTube channels that introduce complex mathematical ideas in a simple way, so I’d definitely recommend checking them out!

Is there anything extra students thinking about studying on the course should know?

One thing I was worried about was that it would be difficult going from studying several subjects in sixth form to just focusing on one, but the course itself offers so much variety in the way that you learn- including lectures, problem sheets, mathematical reports, programming, and group projects. Also you learn how to balance looking after yourself, social activities, sports and your degree all at once so the amount of maths doesn’t feel overwhelming!