Mathematics with foundation year BSc (Hons)

Sheffield Hallam University

Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information.

Course summary

• Study your foundation year, then progress to a degree with industry accreditation from the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA).
• Learn about real-life applications of mathematics, including mathematical and numerical approaches to modelling, problem-solving, and statistical methods.
• Use modern software and technology to apply mathematical techniques, and develop your analysis and interpretation skills to provide solutions for a variety of applications.
• Work as part of a learning community within a maths-specific shared learning space.

On this course you will learn how to use pure and applied mathematical and statistical techniques to solve real world problems. Real world applications are rarely presented in a mathematical form, therefore you will learn the techniques needed to describe and then solve such problems mathematically. Applications could include: environmental, medical, industrial and commercial contexts.

You learn through

• lectures
• tutorials
• IT sessions
• problem-based and practical activity-based sessions
• group and individual project work
• the opportunity to act as a mentor for other students
• progress meetings
• reflective action planning
• written or electronic coursework assignments
• presentations
• in-class tests
• examinations

In the foundation year, you’ll study the fundamental mathematical principles that you’ll need at undergraduate level, and apply them to a range of different topics. You’ll learn through many of the same techniques used on the degree course, and familiarise yourself with Sheffield Hallam and its facilities — ensuring that you’re ready to hit the ground running.

Applied learning

Work placements

You will have the opportunity to undertake a year-long work placement between your second and third years of study, with support from the University. This gives you a real-world experience to prepare you for your future career and a salary of up to £22000 for the year. Students have been on placement at

Covance

HSBC

NHS England

Lloyds

Pepsico

Experian

Mercedes

IBM

Department of Health

Airbus

Royal Mail

ParExel

There are plenty of opportunities locally, but students have gone as far as China for their placement.

We will help you decide whether undertaking a placement is right for you, and will support you in making applications. This is your chance to apply your academic knowledge in the work environment and improve your career prospects. It can even lead to the offer of a permanent job with your placement employer.

Live projects

You have opportunities throughout the course to gain practical experience. The course has an applied focus, so you will look at solving real-life problems such as developing a model for a health epidemic, using data in credit scoring, creating sports fixture lists, and many others.

Support and learning environment

We have a strong, supportive learning community, based on excellent staff-student relations. This is helped by a maths-specific shared learning space, designed to combine student workspace with staff office space. As well as having easy access to your lecturers, you work closely with other students in a supportive environment. We aim to provide opportunities to mix outside of formal teaching time.

The space is also used for social-professional activities, such as the weekly Maths Arcade project, in which you can learn strategic thinking through playing strategy games. From your first week of your second year you work on projects with your coursemates as well as third or final year students, helping you settle in and form friendship groups that last throughout your course and beyond.