Mathematics (research placement) MMath

Turn your passion for maths into a future-proof career. Work on real industry projects to kickstart your career and develop expertise using the latest research.

Which course is right for me?

Select your start date

This course is available in Clearing.

Key information

Why choose this course at Sussex?

  • Specialise with an integrated Masters year for a future in industry or research, with our one-to-one support and industry opportunities.
  • Benefit from Sussex’s wide range of paid work experiences, from summer teaching and research placements, to outreach roles.
  • Discover new aspects of mathematics while gaining a strong core foundation to understand how mathematics solves real-world problems.

How can mathematics help us understand the dynamics of infectious diseases? Or how an idea circulates on social media? Or the behaviour of queues? We’ll show you how mathematics solves real-world problems. You’ll work with experts whose research is having an impact – from forecasting local outbreaks of COVID, to predicting floods.

In your first year, you’ll explore the basics of mathematics. This includes analysis and linear algebra, as well as an introduction to computational mathematics. In your second year, you’ll add probability and statistics. In your third and fourth year, you then build on your existing knowledge and discover new aspects of the subject including:

  • mathematical biology
  • cryptography
  • probability
  • financial mathematics
  • partial differential equations.

You’ll have the opportunity to apply for a paid summer research placement after Year 1, 2 and 3 of your degree. Working with a member of the Department of Mathematics, you’ll gain first-hand experience of mathematical research. You’ll also explore a topic of your choice in the MMath project in your final year.

This course is flexible, so you can focus on what fascinates you while gaining a strong foundation in core mathematics. You’ll develop your analytical and modelling skills using industry-standard software such as Python and R. 

Our Department is a close-knit community, and you’ll get to know your lecturers on an individual basis. Their dedication and support will help you to get the most from your degree. Academic advisers support you every step of the way and you’ll have lots of opportunities to engage with potential employers. You’ll also have a dedicated careers advisor.

During your integrated Masters year, you’ll develop new mathematical skills and knowledge – particularly relevant if you’re interested in going on to a research career, or into specialised fields including data science, finance or mathematical modelling.

  • 95% of our research overall in Mathematical Sciences was assessed to be world leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021) 
  • 12th in the UK for student satisfaction with the quality of our teaching in Mathematics (Complete University Guide 2027)

Accreditation

  • This programme is accredited to meet the educational requirements of the Chartered Mathematician designation awarded by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications. Find out more

MMath or BSc?

We also offer this course without research placements, or as a three-year BScFind out about the benefits of an integrated Masters year.

Find out about Megan’s journey through her maths degree at Sussex

Campus tours

Join a campus tour this summer and get a feel for life at Sussex. With award-winning campus food, a National Park setting and buzzing Brighton on our doorstep, our location and facilities are hard to beat.

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On campus - in person

You’ll study for this degree on our campus, joining our academics and fellow students. With in-person contact time, digitally supported educational resources, library collections and independent study, this course is designed to give you an inclusive education. Your learning experience may also include work placements, field trips, studying abroad and internationalisation experiences.

Find out about our beautiful campus

Virtual tour

Want to learn more about life at Sussex?

Our 360° virtual tour has been designed to introduce you to life in our diverse, supportive and inclusive community. Join our students for an immersive experience as they reveal why Sussex offers a space to follow your passions, find your voice, and discover people and places that will inspire you.

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ResearchPlus

As a founding partner of ResearchPlus, a collaboration of research-focused universities, we engage with government, industry and civil society to support economic growth, prosperity and wellbeing across the whole of the UK.

Find out more

Modules

This is a single-honours course, allowing you to focus in depth on your core subject. Find out more from our guide to undergraduate study

Spirit of Sussex Award

Feel involved in life at the University, make friends and enrich your experience with us – the Spirit of Sussex Award is our way of recognising your extracurricular and voluntary achievements.

Find out more about the Spirit of Sussex Award

  • Video transcript

    Hi everyone! As I'm sure you've all heard by now, the Spirit of Sussex Award is now live.

    Students across the Sussex community are already earning their points

    What will you do to earn yours?

    There's so many ways to get involved.

    Head over to the website to start your Spirit of Sussex journey.

    Text: The Spirit of Sussex Award is an exciting new programme designed to recognise and celebrate the things you do outside your course.

    Participating in the Award makes it easy and fun for you to get involved and make the most of university life.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

Research placements (in the summer after Year 2, 3 and 4)

You can apply to do a research placement based at Sussex in the summer after Year 2, 3 and 4.

Research in the Department of Mathematics plays an important role in the current development of areas as diverse as:

  • analysis and partial differential equations
  • mathematical physics
  • mathematics applied to biology
  • numerical analysis and scientific computing
  • probability and statistics.

On your research placement, you work on cutting-edge projects that contribute to the work of the research group you’re placed with. 

These are a great way to gain practical experience of Mathematics research, and receive unique training for your future career. You’ll also receive funding to cover your living expenses during any placements you take. 

Students and staff share their experiences of Mathematics at Sussex

Our experts

My favourite thing about the course would be the friendly, relaxed environment in the Maths Department, and how easy it is to just go up and ask any questions to any of the lecturers in their offices.” Dylan Hutcheson
Mathematics (research placement) MMath
  • Video transcript

    Dylan: My favourite thing about the course would be the friendly, relaxed environment in the Maths Department, and how easy it is to just go up and ask any questions to any of the lecturers in their offices. They’re always happy to help, you can just come along at any time really.

Careers

  • 86% of Sussex undergraduates have completed work experience by the end of their course (University of Sussex Career Readiness data at point of graduation 2023/24)

You can be confident that our courses provide you with the necessary skills and experience to secure employment or further studies with some of the world’s leading institutions.

You’ll have a wide range of paid work opportunities within the Department – from teaching and research opportunities in the summer, to outreach roles throughout the year. 

There are plenty of opportunities for you to develop your careers skills, including:

  • talks by potential employers
  • advice on choosing a career path
  • CV and application writing
  • preparing for job interviews.

Where do our graduates work now?

Surveyed 15 months after finishing their courses, our recent graduates from the Department of Mathematics worked for employers including: 

(Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017-2022) 

What to do with a Mathematics degree

Explore the careers you might be interested in after studying for a degree in Mathematics

Working while you study

Our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can help you find part-time work while you study. Find out more about career development and part-time work

The teaching is top class and you learn vital transferable skills that lay the foundation for a successful career.Conor Osborne
Mathematics (research placement) MMath

Design your future at Sussex

Taking the next step in your career can feel daunting, but we’ll help you to explore, connect and flourish throughout your studies and beyond.

As a Sussex student, you’ll learn how to tackle real-world challenges and have access to tailored programmes of careers support:

  • our Career Lab helps you to explore your options, build key skills and connect with employers. Take part in internships, community consultancy projects and insight visits, where you can learn about life at organisations such as Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, the Knepp Rewilding Project, and fashion brand Puig
  • one-to-one appointments with your Faculty Careers Consultant can enable you to identify your career goals, write an effective CV and prepare for future interviews
  • entrepreneurship initiatives like StartUp Sussex and Ideas Lab can empower you to turn your concepts into reality.

Explore how our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can support you

Entry requirements

Find your place in Clearing

This course will be available in Clearing. Explore your options at Sussex – right here, right now.

Fees

Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis. Find details on our Tuition fees page.

Home students

£9,790 per year

Channel Islands and Isle of Man students

£9,790 per year

On 19 March 2026 the UK Parliament set out that the tuition fee cap for 2026 entry will be £9,790. As the University of Sussex keeps fees for Home students and Channel Islands and Isle of Man students in line with UK Government-approved levels, fees will be £9,790 in 2026. In line with our terms and conditions, the University charges fees at the maximum levels set by the UK Government.

International students

£23,500 per year

Additional costs

Note about additional costs

Additional costs to your tuition fees may include field trips, equipment, materials, bench fees or studio hire. These costs are best estimates based on current market values which we review each year. These costs may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances where the University has limited control such as a change in a service provider or government guidance. We will let you know at the earliest opportunity if there is any change to these costs. We will also tell you if these costs are mandatory for passing your course or optional. Find out how to budget for student life.

Placements

You will take part in research placements during the summer, usually on the University campus. You will get bursaries for your placements:

Year 1: £1,750 for a four-week placement
Year 3: £3,500 for an eight-week placement.

In Year 2, if you're applying for the Junior Research Associate (JRA) Scheme, you'll receive either JRA funding or £2,000. If you don't apply for the JRA, you won't receive a bursary. Find out more about the Junior Research Associate (JRA) Scheme

Living costs

We know the rising cost of living is on everyone’s mind, and affects us all in different ways. Our guide to living costs has been designed to help you plan and budget for life as a Sussex student.

Learn more about typical living costs

Scholarships

Our goal is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to regardless of financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique people.

Contact us

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Enquiries

Contact us with any questions about your course:

+44 (0)1273 876787
Ask us a question

Find out more about the Department of Mathematics

Legal information

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

Find out about our terms and conditions, including the student code of conduct and your cancellation rights

Find out about our complaints and appeals process

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