Mathematics and Statistics BSc (Hons) with foundation year

Study level: Undergraduate
Someone using a calculator

In today’s competitive world, many types of businesses and organisations are seeking out people who can interpret complex data and explain their findings and the implications simply and effectively. If you like working with numbers, have strong IT skills and enjoy analysing information, a future career as a data analyst or statistician might be right for you.

Year of entry

Location

CU Coventry (Coventry) and
Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

4 years full-time
5 years sandwich

UCAS codes

GMDF

Start date

November 2024


Course overview

Our degree with foundation year could be the stepping stone you need to achieve your goals. The foundation year aims to prepare you for degree-level study and is a great way to build the confidence, skills and knowledge needed to succeed on your degree course.

Foundation year

The course aims to provide you with a solid grounding in mathematical principles and an understanding of the core technology associated with the use and application of computer systems. Professional and academic skills are integrated across all modules, including information finding and handling, problem-solving and the communication of outcomes.

Degree

A degree in Mathematics and Statistics could lead to roles in areas such as education to the environment, finance to forensics, sport technology or transportation.

  • This degree combines the study of mathematics and data analysis, helping to prepare you to tackle a huge variety of interesting and engaging problems from business forecasting and simulation to medical statistics and survival analysis.
  • You will aim to develop a range of core graduate skills, much valued by employers, including the ability to think clearly and logically, analyse complicated data sets, solve problems, make recommendations, and communicate technical information in a language everyone can understand.
  • You will have an opportunity for industrial collaboration2. Coventry University has a long tradition of teaching mathematics and statistics with a special emphasis on its applications in practical situations. We have a strong portfolio of previous industrial research collaborations with, for example, the National Energy Laboratory, Calham Centre for Fusion Energy and Alcan.
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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

Foundation year

  • Supports you to gain the academic skills required for degree-level study.
  • Provides a grounding in key areas of mathematics and computing.

Degree

  • You will be taught by a teaching team which includes active world-renowned researchers in applied mathematics with expertise in complex systems and fluid dynamics, who share their cutting edge research expertise through teaching and supervising projects. (Staff may be subject to change).
  • The teaching team is passionate about and uniquely oriented towards success and wellbeing of their students.
  • You’ll have access to our computing facilities, which enable you to gain experience using mathematical software packages, like R, python, and MATLAB®4.
  • You’ll also receive tailored one-to-one assistance from sigma4, the university’s Centre for Excellence in Mathematics and Statistics Support.
  • You will be encouraged and supported to adopt an international perspective with opportunities to conduct Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) activities with students from around the world, participate in field trips overseas or spend a year studying abroad in Europe, America or Australia2.

Accreditation and professional recognition

Accreditation for the degree is being renewed as we are making some changes to our modules1.


What you'll study

This course has a common first year.

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field.

We want your degree to fit around you, so upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first-year courses:

  • Mathematics BSc (Hons)
  • Physics and Mathematics BSc (Hons)

Modules

In the second year you will develop the mathematics and statistics which you started in year one concentrating further on a core of theoretical and applicable mathematics, from linear algebra and further calculus, through ordinary and partial differential equations to real analysis and a block of bespoke modules on statistics.

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time, you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

Year three aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from year one and two. You will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with: number theory and cryptography, statistical methods, and financial mathematics, amongst others.

Modules

The foundation year offers an introduction to your chosen subject and supports you to develop the skills required for degree-level study.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

Throughout the course, great emphasis is placed on practical skills development; some of your time being spent on computer laboratory sessions, which may involve the use of mathematical software to solve mathematical problems. We also run example classes where possible, covering things like going over solutions to exercises.

Our teaching methods are varied, offering a number of teaching styles to suit the needs of all our students, so in addition to lectures, we also use tutorials, online support/learning, workshops and group work.

Progression through the modules develops knowledge and skills, including communication (written and oral), study skills, research methods, programming, data management, presentation and career development. We will also encourage you to consider your employability and/or entrepreneurial development.


Teaching contact hours

The number of full-time contact hours may vary from block to block, however, on average, it is likely to be around 20 contact hours per week. The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, laboratory practicals4 and online support sessions/classes.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 30 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a limited variety of methods to allow you to focus on what you are assessed on, not how. Assessment methods will consist of either a portfolio artefact with supportive report or a time-constrained phase test. Assessment takes place at a single stage at the end of each module.

You will have opportunities to work with staff on real-world problems from industry, commerce, and research groups, as you would in professional practice. This means that you may develop professional skills at the same time as you learn the technical content of your degree. In the past, projects have included forecasting wine sales and undertaking credit risk modelling.

We will encourage you to attend employer presentations organised by the University and we run our own sessions (subject to availability), which have previously covered government research and included some of our past students talking about their job roles and careers2.


Teaching contact hours

We understand that everyone learns differently, so each of our courses will consist of structured teaching sessions, which can include:

  • On campus lectures, seminars and workshops
  • Group work
  • Self-directed learning
  • Work placement opportunities2.

The number of full-time contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 12 contact hours per week. Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study each week of more than 30 hours, depending on the demands of individual modules.

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods may include:

  • Formal examinations
  • Phase tests
  • Essays
  • Group work
  • Presentations
  • Reports
  • Projects
  • Coursework
  • Individual assignments

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


International experience opportunities

If you have a desire to gain international experience, there are opportunities to spend a year studying abroad. In the past, students have chosen to study Mathematics in St Marcus University in California, University of Malta, Stockholm University in Sweden, also universities in the Netherlands, Germany and Australia. Courses in all these universities have been delivered in English2.

The opportunity for a sandwich placement means we aim to support you in finding an internship and in seeking ways to finance that experience. Past students have gone to work in countries such as Malaysia, Belgium, and Spain.


Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

72 UCAS tariff points. All foundation courses require 5 GCSEs at A-C/4-9 including Maths and English, and at least one A2 level or a BTEC equivalent qualification.

If you don’t fulfil the entry criteria your application may be considered on an individual basis, taking into account any work experience, other qualifications and/or any training you have completed. Speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Got higher grades? Have you considered direct entry to the degree without foundation year?


Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Foundation year

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £7,950 Not available
International/EU Not currently available*** Not available

Degree

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,250 per year Not available
International/EU Not currently available*** Not available

Please note: UK (home) tuition fees for the degree course years will be charged at the current Coventry University UK (home) degree fee level. This was set at £9,250 for the 23/24 academic year.

If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

Foundation year funding

In order to receive funding for degree with foundation year courses, you will need to complete a four-year degree programme which includes the integrated foundation year, otherwise you may be responsible for your foundation year fees. For further information, please refer to the 'Tuition Fee Loan' details in the 'Funding your undergraduate course' section of our 'Fees and finance' page.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**This course with foundation year is not currently available to international students. If you do not meet the entry requirements to directly join year 1 of the degree, please take a look at our International Pathways Programme for additional options.


Facilities

Our foundation years are taught at CU Coventry’s Mile Lane building, a short walk from the city centre. You’re part of the university from day one, so during your foundation year you’ll have access to the wider facilities at Coventry University. Once you successfully complete your foundation year, you'll transfer over to studying your chosen degree at Coventry University, where you'll be taught on campus in the relevant academic buildings.

Located on our Mile Lane campus, you will have access to our Library and Learning Services (LLS), fully equipped seminar rooms and IT suites4. You can also take advantage of reading rights in Coventry University’s Lanchester Library, make use of sport centre facilities and receive full membership to Your Students' Union.

Two students walking outside with the CU Coventry building behind them.

Mile Lane

The campus is home to an on-site library with bookable one-to-one academic writing service and library support sessions, fully equipped seminar rooms, open-access study areas, a café and an IT suite. Our labs contain industry-standard equipment so that you learn using the same equipment as many industry professionals.

A student working in a booth in The Hub.

The Hub

At The Hub you'll find the Health and Wellbeing Centre, the Students’ Union and Square One (which provides entertainment from quiz nights to live music), the Spirituality and Faith Centre, Tank Studio, Careers Office and a fantastic food court.

External view of the Lanchester Library.

Lanchester Library

Coventry University’s Lanchester Library is open 24/7, 364 days a year and has 1,400 study spaces, including group and silent areas. It also currently offers more than 550 computers and an additional 120 free-to-loan laptops.

 

The School of Computing, Mathematics and Data Science is based in the Engineering and Computing Building, and the attached Beatrice Shilling Building. Both buildings are high-specification learning environments which benefit from extensive social learning facilities, well-appointed laboratories, lecturing facilities and classrooms, facilitating our innovative teaching methods across a diverse suite of undergraduate and postgraduate courses4.

A student sat using a laptop in the digital literacy centre

Digital Literacy Centre

The Digital Literacy Centre provides a range of help and support for digital, programming, and IT skills. From programming to email etiquette, from Word and Excel to enhancing your Google-Fu, the DLC provides a range of online and in person help and support. Students can make use of drop-in sessions or book one-to-one appointments online and face to face.

sigma centre

sigma Centre

The sigma Centre is a mathematics support centre, which provides a wide range of learning resources in mathematics and statistics. Students can make use of drop-in sessions or one-to-one appointments (subject to availability).

maths laboratory

Mathematics laboratory

Set out like a traditional classroom with a large whiteboard at the front and a social space for brainstorming at the back, it is the only teaching room in the Frank Whittle Building laid out in this way, designed to suit the teaching style required for this subject.


Careers and opportunities

On successful completion, you will have knowledge of:

  • The theory and practice of the methods of statistics and their application.
  • The logical construction of a mathematical argument.
  • The application of mathematics to construct models and their resolution, with an appreciation of the validity of the model and the use of approximation.
  • The use a range of analytic and descriptive techniques.
  • The strengths and weaknesses of selected mathematical software and a selected programming or scripting languages and their use to extend capabilities.
  • A range of real-world applications of mathematics.

On successful completion you will be able to: 

  • Understand, reproduce, and generalise logical mathematical reasoning.
  • Organise and interpret information and results from mathematical models.
  • Analyse problems and construct an appropriate formulation and solution with relatively little guidance or support.
  • Use specialist modern information technology packages and a programming language confidently.
  • Use a wide range of information resources to acquire relevant information.

Statisticians work in almost every sphere of life. Upon successful completion, there could be a range of career opportunities in areas such as business analysis, government planning, energy demand forecasting, scientific research, the pharmaceutical industry, medical statistics, market research, system reliability and quality control.

Where our graduates work

Previous mathematics students have worked as Financial Analysts at IBM, Gaming Financial Analysts for Warner Bros, Finance Assistants at Scottish Power, Business Performance Process Analysts at National Grid, Power Analysts at E.ON, and Customer Service Analysts for Cummins.

Further study

You can choose to continue your studies at Coventry University with the MSc Data science and computational intelligence. You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.

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