Kick-start your career in the financial markets or investment banking with a paid industrial placement on this BSc Mathematics with Finance and Investment Banking with a Placement Year.

Explore key aspects of mathematics, such as differential equations and analysis, and gain practical financial and investment banking experience through Henley Business School, the University of Reading's hub of business expertise. The split between the two subjects is roughly two-thirds mathematics and one-third finance and investment banking. Furthermore, you can gain valuable industry experience through a year-long paid placement at a major national or international organisation.

In mathematics you will study areas such as calculus, analysis, linear algebra, differential equations and numerical analysis. The course will also cover key areas of statistics.

You will be given plenty of support to help you get the most out of your studies, including small group problem-solving tutorials and materials to help you manage the transition to university-level mathematics. Additionally, you can get involved with the Department's Staff Student Forums and the Student Teaching and Learning Group, which enable you to have a direct input into the student experience.

The finance and investment banking aspects of the course will provide you with practical experience, such as managing multi-asset portfolios using live prices and using the latest investment management technology. You will also benefit from our three dealing rooms, which are equipped with Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters Eikon terminals and use the latest industry simulation software. As part of this aspect of the degree you will experience the thrill of a live market – take positions, quote two-way prices and manage the risk of a $50–100 million trading book.

Henley Business School is triple-accredited and this degree provides a direct route into many areas including accounting and professional services, banking, consultancy, finance, human resources, IT, investment banking, marketing, operations and, of course, general management.

As a mathematics graduate, you can choose to work as a mathematician or statistician for public sector organisations, such as health authorities or the Office for National Statistics, or areas of the private sector including commerce and information technology. Furthermore, you can move into a range of related careers such as accountancy, engineering, modelling, computing or actuarial work.