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Mathematics, Operational Research and Statistics with a Professional Placement Year (MMORS)

  • Subject area: Mathematics
  • UCAS code: G901
  • Next intake: September 2025
  • Duration: 5 years
  • Mode: Full time with sandwich year

Why study this course

This five year degree combines the advanced study of mathematics, statistics and operational research with an employability-enhancing third-year working in a paid role.

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Professional Placement Year

Spend your third year in paid work as a mathematician or statistician where you can gain valuable work experience and develop your professional skills. We have strong links with industry and a dedicated placements team to help you find a placement and support you during your time there.

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Professional award consideration

If you complete the professional training period, you can be considered for the City and Guilds Senior Licentiateship Award (LCGI).

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Specialist knowledge

Alongside learning advanced mathematical techniques, you will gain specialist knowledge and skills through extensive coverage of topics beyond the scope of the BSc degree.

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Project-based year

During your final year, you will have the opportunity to complete a substantial mathematical project at an advanced level in a research area of your choice.

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Excellent facilities

You will be taught in Abacws, the new home for the School of Mathematics. This world-leading facility has been designed in collaboration with students and academic staff to create interdisciplinary, flexible and creative workspaces, with innovative teaching areas being a key feature, including a new simulated Trading Room for financial mathematics.

The MMORS with a Professional Placement Year is a great choice if you would like to gain a deeper understanding of Mathematics, Operational Research and Statistics while gaining some real-world experience in a paid mathematician and/or statistician role. The course expands on the BSc to prepare you for high-level entry into relevant professions. It’s also a solid base for pursuing a research career. 

In a competitive graduate job market, a placement can help you gain extra skills and experience to make you stand out from the crowd. It could help you to secure a permanent role after you graduate, as well as providing real-world context to support your studies. If you're not sure what career path to follow, it's a great opportunity to explore your options. It might help you make those all-important decisions about your future.

Our current students are taking advantage of our strong industry links and completing exciting placements in:

  • HM Revenue & Customs
  • Ministry of Defence
  • NHS Wales
  • Nationwide
  • BAE Systems
  • IBM

Subject area: Mathematics

  • academic-schoolSchool of Mathematics
  • icon-chatGet in touch
  • Telephone+44 (0)29 2087 4811
  • MarkerSenghennydd Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4AG

Entry requirements

We accept a combination of A-levels and other qualifications, as well as equivalent international qualifications subject to entry requirements. Typical offers are as follows:

A level

AAA-ABB. Must include grade A in Maths.

Extended/International Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ/IPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.

Our grade range covers our standard offer and contextual offer. We carefully consider the circumstances in which you've been studying (your contextual data) upon application.

  • Eligible students will be given an offer at the lower end of the advertised grade range.
  • Where there is no grade range advertised and/or where there are selection processes in place (like an interview) you may receive additional points in the selection process or be guaranteed interview/consideration.

Learn about eligible courses and how contextual data is applied.

International Baccalaureate

36-32 overall or 666-665 in 3 HL subjects. Must include grade 6 in HL Maths or Maths Analysis and Approaches.

Baccalaureate Wales

From September 2023, there will be a new qualification called the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales (level 3). This qualification will replace the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (Welsh Baccalaureate). The qualification will continue to be accepted in lieu of one A-Level (at the grades listed above), excluding any specified subjects.

You must have or be working towards:
- English language or Welsh language at GCSE grade C/4 or an equivalent (such as A-levels). If you require a Student visa, you must ensure your language qualification complies with UKVI requirements.

We do not accept Critical Thinking, General Studies, Citizenship Studies, or other similar equivalent subjects.
We will accept a combination of BTEC subjects, A-levels, and other qualifications, subject to the course specific grade and subject requirements.

GCSE

Grade C or grade 4 in GCSE English Language.

IELTS (academic)

At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill.

TOEFL iBT

At least 90 overall with a minimum of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading, and 20 for speaking.

PTE Academic

At least 69 overall with a minimum of 59 in all communicative skills.

Trinity ISE II/III

II: at least two Distinctions and two Merits.
III: at least a Pass in all components.

Other accepted qualifications

Please visit our English Language requirements page for more information on our other accepted language qualifications.

You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.

If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:

  • access to computers or devices that can store images
  • use of internet and communication tools/devices
  • curfews
  • freedom of movement, including the ability to travel to outside of the UK or to undertake a placement/studies outside of Cardiff University
  • contact with people related to Cardiff University.

Other qualifications from inside the UK

BTEC

DD-DM in a BTEC Diploma in any subject and grade A in A-Level Maths.

T level

Acceptance of T Levels for this programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Academic School. Consideration will be given to the T Level grade/subject and grades/subjects achieved at GCSE/Level 2.

Qualifications from outside the UK

See our qualification equivalences guide

Please see our admissions policies for more information about the application process.

Interview or selection process

There will be no interviews. Selection is based entirely on A level (or equivalent) performance. Contextual applicants will be guaranteed an offer and will be subject to additional consideration. All applicants will be invited to attend an Open day when they will visit the School of Mathematics. Offers will be made to all applicants who have the potential to satisfy the offer.

Tuition fees for 2025 entry

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.

Learn how we decide your fee status

Fees for home status

Year Tuition fee Deposit
Year one £9,250 None
Year two £9,250 None
Year three (sandwich year) £1,850 None
Year four £9,250 None
Year five £9,250 None

The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in the second and subsequent years of a course as permitted by law or Welsh Government policy. Where applicable we will notify you of any change in tuition fee by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which the fee will increase.

Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland

If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2025/26 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.

Fees for island status

Learn more about the undergraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.

Fees for overseas status

Year Tuition fee Deposit
Year one £29,450 None
Year two £29,450 None
Year three (sandwich year) £5,890 None
Year four £29,450 None
Year five £29,450 None

Learn more about our tuition fees

Financial support

Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.

Costs for sandwich years

During a sandwich year (e.g. year in industry, placement year or year abroad) a lower fee will apply. Full details can be found on our fees pages.

Additional costs

Accommodation

We have a range of residences to suit your needs and budget. Find out more on our accommodation pages.

Living costs

We're based in one of the UK's most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.

Course structure

In each year of the Programme, you will take Modules to the value of 120 credits. The first two years are spent studying Mathematics. The third year is spent on industrial placement and you return to complete your degree in year four. 

The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2025/2026 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2025.

Year one

In Year One you will take 120 credits in mathematics. Most modules are compulsory but there is an element of choice allowing you to select between modules in Mechanics or Finance. The modules in Mathematics cover the foundation areas of Calculus, Algebra, Analysis, Computing, Statistics and Probability.

You’ll be required to pass all first year modules with an average mark of at least 50% to be able to continue on the Professional Placement Year.

Year two

In Year Two core modules continue to build foundation knowledge in the areas of Calculus, Algebra and Analysis. There are also core modules in Statistics and Operational Research. There is a greater choice of optional modules in Year Two, including Pure and Applied Mathematics, Statistics and Finance. The modules you select will inform the choices available to you in Year Four and Five.

You are required to achieve at least a 55% average and pass at least 100 credits to continue their studies onto Year Three of the MMORS with Professional Placement Year. Students who fail to achieve the 55% average will be transferred onto the BSc MORS with Professional Placement Year degree scheme. Students who fail to achieve 100 credits will not be able to progress to the placement year.

During Year Two we will support you in applying for a placement, which can be undertaken with wide range of providers across industry and government including many in the professional and financial services, the pharmaceutical industry and organisations such as the Office for National Statistics.

If you are unable to obtain a placement, you will be transferred to the four year MMORS Mathematics, Operational Research and Statistics degree scheme.

Module titleModule codeCredits
Calculus of Several VariablesMA200110 credits
Complex AnalysisMA200310 credits
Series and TransformsMA200410 credits
Real AnalysisMA200610 credits
Linear Algebra IIMA200820 credits
Foundations of Probability and StatisticsMA250020 credits
Operational ResearchMA260120 credits

Year three: Sandwich year

Year Three is spent in salaried employment, working as a mathematician and/or statistician at an organisation in the UK or Europe.

Module titleModule codeCredits
Industrial TrainingMA9999120 credits

Year four

In Year Four 120 credits of optional modules are chosen.

The modules in Year Four are closely aligned to the research interests of the School.  There are a broad range of modules available, enabling you to focus on areas of particular interest. At least 50% of your Year Four modules should be in the areas of Operational Research or Statistics. There are available 20 credit modules in Optimisation and Regression and Experimental Design.

Year five

In Year Five the course develops research training and enhanced mathematical skills. There is also a major piece of project work, in which you will apply the knowledge and skills learnt in the first four years of the degree to tackle some practical or theoretical problems.

There are a range of optional modules available in Pure Mathematics, Statistics and Operational Research.

This gives you the opportunity to develop presentation and communication skills, in addition to applying your mathematical skills to a research topic of your choice.

Module titleModule codeCredits
MMath ProjectMA490040 credits
Module titleModule codeCredits
Lie AlgebrasMA400620 credits
Quantum Information TheoryMA401620 credits
Calculus of VariationsMA402320 credits
Advanced Topics in Analysis: Sobolev Spaces and Elliptic PDEsMA402420 credits
Mathematical BiologyMA430920 credits
Statistics of Big DataMA451120 credits
Credit Risk ScoringMA451210 credits
Statistical Programming with R and ShinyMA451410 credits
Stochastic Search and OptimisationMA460120 credits
Supply Chain ModellingMA460610 credits
Healthcare ModellingMA460910 credits
Reading ModuleMA490120 credits
Reading ModuleMA490220 credits

The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.

Learning and assessment

Core knowledge is taught through a mixture of lectures, exercise classes, small-group tutorials and guided study. Mathematics is a hierarchical discipline so the structure of the course is systematic, building on fundamental understanding. Increased independent learning is encouraged throughout the course.

In all years the classes are used to discuss theoretical concepts and essential mathematical techniques. You are encouraged to undertake additional reading outside of timetabled classes and reflect upon assessments and feedback.

The first two years are focussed on providing a foundational understanding.  The final two years cover a range of contemporary subject material, reflecting research interests in the School. Throughout the delivery of the programme, wherever possible, recent research results are used to illustrate and illuminate the subject.

In year one there are regular small-group tutorial sessions in all mathematics modules. Exercises are an integral part of all lecture-based modules, and these allow you to apply your knowledge and improve your problem-solving skills. Extra exercise or examples classes are currently held in all mathematics modules. In these a lecturer will discuss additional problems with you, give general oral feedback and model solutions for further reflection.

In year five, more student participation is expected as some lectures take the form of seminars.

How will I be supported?

At the start of each year you will be given a guide to module aims, learning outcomes, methods of assessment, module syllabuses, and reading lists. You will be allocated a personal tutor, a member of the academic staff who will provide pastoral support and academic advice during your course.

All lecturing staff can be contacted by email and have either an ‘open door’ policy for students with specific queries about course material, or a system to book meeting times. The School’s Director of Learning and Teaching of the School of Mathematics can advise you on academic issues, and each year of study has a year co-ordinator able to advise on administrative issues.

Further learning support is also available via the University wide Maths Support Service. This provides relaxed and informal daily drop-in sessions where students are encouraged to discuss any elements of their studies with a tutor on a one-to-one or small group basis.

While on placement, you will be visited a minimum of two times by Academic staff and Professional Services staff. There are named points of contact should you have any questions or problems. 

How will I be assessed?

Many modules have written examinations at the end of the autumn or spring Semesters, with some also having an element of continuous assessment. This may include problem-solving exercises, written reports, computer programs and oral presentations.  Feedback on progress is typically provided through a combination of discussion in class, written comments on submitted work and review of outline solutions to problems. You are encouraged to discuss any queries related to specific modules with individual lecturers.

The Professional Placement year is assessed via a combination of a report, a poster and an oral presentation. You are required to reflect upon and provide evidence for your progress in the areas of Professional Standards, Communication and Information Management, Leadership, Professional Development, Working with Others, and Managing Customer Relations. You submit monthly formative journal entries for which feedback will be provided, thereby monitoring your progress.

Feedback:

Written feedback and outline solutions on in-course assessment give you an opportunity to reflect on your progress. Further feedback is provided in examples classes and tutorials (in Year One) to review problems in more detail and discuss potential solutions. You should discuss any queries related to specific modules with individual lecturers. There are a number of further feedback mechanisms in place to support your study; please see “How will I be supported?” below.

What skills will I practise and develop?

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will be able to do as a result of your study at Cardiff University. They will help you to understand what is expected of you. 

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme can be found below:

Knowledge & Understanding:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:

  • An analytical approach to problem solving
  • An understanding of the ideas of proof, calculus, algebra, analysis and applied mathematics
  • An enhanced understanding of abstract mathematical concepts, logical arguments and deductive reasoning
  • Mathematical reasoning and manipulation
  • An ability to analyse and interpret data and to apply modern statistical methods
  • An ability to use some cutting edge operational research techniques to solve real life problems
  • An understanding of the underlying principles and mathematical theories underpinning modern statistics and operational research

The Placement additionally allows you to demonstrate:

  • Experience of applying mathematical concepts in an industrial environment
  • Awareness of professional and ethical responsibilities
  • Commitment to professional standards

Intellectual Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:

  • The ability to formulate and solve mathematical models
  • The skills of using analytical and logical thinking to draw conclusions based on quantitative information.
  • Communication skills and the ability to communicate mathematical knowledge and understanding.
  • Plan and conduct a piece of novel research

The Placement year additionally allows you to demonstrate:

  • Self-reflection and motivation
  • Leadership
  • Self-direction in solving unseen problems

Professional Practical Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate: 

  • Use of a number of modern software packages
  • Proficiency in performing experiments in laboratory classes, demonstrating analytical and investigative skills
  • The ability to assimilate and communicate detailed mathematical arguments
  • Report writing skills, the ability to write coherently and clearly and to give presentations.

The Placement Year allows you to demonstrate:

  • Use of software in an industrial setting

Transferable/Key Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:

  • Logical reasoning
  • Independent thinking
  • Critical thinking
  • The ability to apply mathematical skills to solve problems
  • Use of information technology and library resources
  • Time and workload management
  • Working with others
  • Self management and organisational skills.
  • The ability to conduct independent research

The Placement Year allows you to demonstrate:

  • Work experience in a Maths related job

Careers and placements

Career prospects

You can use your MMORS in Mathematics Operational Research and Statistics with a Professional Placement Year as a pathway to the workforce where you may meet our alumni working in a variety of fields such as data science, operational research, internet technology, medicine, banking, logistics, risk management, and marketing. Or, you might choose to widen your career options to include a range of related fields by completing a PhD in mathematics, the sciences, computing or engineering.

Maths Careers Support

In the Spring semester of your first year, there are a range of masterclasses available to you to help support your future career prospects. The classes cover work experience, CV and covering letters, application forms, interview techniques, and an introduction to LinkedIn.

We have a regularly-updated student jobs board featuring a range of volunteering, internship, placement, and graduate opportunities. Plus, we organise a full programme of student and employer presentations every year with employers, such as Lloyds Banking Group, HSBC, PwC, Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, Sainsburys, Network Rail, GSK, Office of National Statistics, Welsh Government, the MOD, Welsh Water, and the Met Office.

The School of Mathematics also has a Careers Management Skills Programme, presentations by students returning from industry and a range of sponsored prizes awarded for academic achievement.

Placements

A one year work placement is available on this programme,  to be taken after you have completed year two.

You will have support to apply for placements that appeal to you from a wide range of industrial partners. Placements are available in Cardiff, across the UK and also internationally and most have competitive salaries.

Recent placement providers have included: CGI, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Goldman Sachs, Ministry of Defence, National Air Traffic Service and Walt Disney.

When you are on placement, your work will be directly supervised by your placement provider. You will be working on real problems and using mathematics to produce results. You will also have close contact with our placement coordinators so they can discuss your progress and ensure you get the most out of the year. This will include visits as well as regular email contact.

We will support you in preparing for your work placement through a range of skills development programmes. 

Studying in Welsh

Up to 39% of this course is available through the medium of Welsh. Please contact the Admissions tutor for more information.

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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.