Why study maths?

Maths is a core subject at school, which means everyone has to study it up to GCSE level.

But maths is so much more than just a compulsory subject. It will hone your problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, and is very popular with employers – making the career possibilities pretty much endless!

‘Maths gives you loads of skills employers love – making it a great choice for your career’

Click to post

What is maths?

Just as languages provide the building blocks and rules we need to communicate, maths uses its own language, made up of numbers, symbols and formulas, to explore the rules we need to measure things like distance, speed, time, space, change, force and quantities.

Studying maths helps us find patterns and structure in our lives. Practically, maths helps us put a price on things, create graphics, build websites, build skyscrapers and generally understand how things work or predict how they might change over time and under different conditions.

As a discipline, maths is also continually growing and changing, as mathematicians and scientists expand on what they already know to discover new theories and inventions.

What employability skills will I get?

Employers love maths! That’s because it’s one of the best subjects to develop important skills, such as:

• Analytical skills – you’ll break down numbers, patterns and problems to understand how things work and what the data shows.
• Budgeting – you’ll use percentages, formulas and real-life examples to learn how to manage money and plan finances.
• Critical thinking – maths trains you to question results, test ideas and make decisions based on solid evidence.
• Logical thinking – you’ll follow clear steps to solve problems and build arguments that make sense from start to finish.
• Problem solving – whether it’s equations or puzzles, you’ll learn how to tackle challenges by thinking creatively and methodically.

Not only will studying maths help give you the knowledge to tackle scientific, mechanical, coding and abstract problems, it will also help you develop logic to tackle everyday issues like planning projects, managing budgets and even debating effectively.

What subjects does maths go with?

According to the Russell Group of universities, maths is a facilitating subject, which means it will help you to study lots of other subjects and pursue lots of different careers.

Maths helps supports the study of subjects like physics, chemistry, engineering, IT, economics, business and biology which can also help with your maths revision.

But studying maths alongside an essay-based subjects like English or history can help keep your options open for more jobs and uni courses.

If you study further maths too at A-level, this can boost your marks in Maths and help prepare you to study a maths course at university. You must study A-level maths in order to take further maths.

What degrees do I need maths for?

A-level maths is a must have for degrees in: physics, engineering, actuarial science, economics and, of course, maths, although you may need to study a further maths course as well to do this.

Maths is recommended or sometimes required for: computer science, accounting, chemistry, biology and life sciences, medicine/nursing, dentistry, business studies, management studies, finance, architecture, geology, psychology, surveying and even philosophy.

Some subjects, like medicine, require two of the ‘gang of four’ subjects: maths, physics, chemistry and biology. So although you might not need to study a maths degree to progress, you must take at least two of the other subjects instead.

What apprenticeships is maths useful for?

Maths will help you get onto pretty much any apprenticeship programme – but it’s particularly helpful for more science-based or numerical courses. Here are just a few examples:

• Actuary – Use maths and statistics to assess financial risks, helping businesses make informed decisions.
• Data scientist – Analyse complex data to uncover patterns and insights that drive business strategies.
• Financial services professional – Provide financial advice and services, using analytical skills to support clients' financial goals.
• Medical statistician – Apply statistical methods to medical research, contributing to the development of new treatments.
• Systems engineer – Design and manage complex systems, ensuring they function effectively and efficiently.

What careers can maths lead to?

People with maths degrees and other qualifications can go into: accounting, medicine, engineering, forensic pathology, finance, business, consultancy, teaching, IT, games development, scientific research, programming, the civil service, design, construction and astrophysics to name a few.

Jobs in the mathematical sciences - that is, careers that studying maths at university prepares you for directly - tend to be very well paid. The combination of a skills shortage and a growing need for maths skills means more and more employers are on the look out for maths graduates.

Even studying maths at A-level can boost your career prospects. A spokesperson for the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications says: "A-level maths is tremendously important. It provides a firm foundation for all scientific, technical, engineering and mathematical careers and a flying start for many other types of career, such as those in finance, medicine, agriculture. The list is endless!"

Maths can help the following careers, to name but a few:

• Accountant
• Architect
• Bank manager
• Business analyst
• Civil engineer
• Computer engineer
• Data analyst
• Doctor
• Economist
• Independent financial advisor
• Investment analyst
• Maths teacher
• Software developer
• Statistician
• Stockbroker
• Tax advisor

Top five Career Zones to explore:

• Accountancy
• Banking & Finance
• Engineering
• Insurance & Pensions
• IT & The Internet

Other subjects in our Why study? series

• Art and design
• Biology
• Business
• Chemistry
• Computing
• Design and technology
• Economics
• English language and literature
• Geography
• History
• Languages
• Music
• Physical education (PE)
• Physics
• Psychology
• Religious studies (RS)
• Sociology