Mathematics (faster route) BSc/MSci
The Mathematics Faster Route offers focused, high achieving candidates joining us straight from school the option to complete the Honours Degree in 3 years or the MSci degree in 4 years.
The University of Glasgow is one of the UK's leading universities, consistently ranked highly in global and national rankings. Its School of Mathematics & Statistics is renowned for research excellence and its broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Glasgow offers flexibility to tailor your studies according to your interests, and a degree in Mathematics & Statistics from the University of Glasgow is highly regarded by employers.
- September start
- Session dates
- Mathematics (faster route) BSc (Hons): 2GM1 3 year degree
- Mathematics (faster route) MSci: MF20 4 year degree
Programme structure
Year 1
Students on the Mathematics Faster Route do not undertake Year 1.
Year 2
Courses cover multivariable calculus, linear algebra, topics in applied mathematics, classical mechanics and mathematical modelling, introduction to real analysis, topics in pure mathematics including groups, transformations and symmetries. Students are also exposed to the basics of statistics, giving a progression route into data science as well as mathematics.
Years 3 and 4
At Honours level you will study a wide range of topics.
The Applied Mathematics courses allow students who prefer the practical and applicable aspects of the subject to concentrate on these elements. The Pure Mathematics courses are ideal for students who prefer the abstract and logical aspects of the subject. Most students take a mix of both.
In fourth year you will undertake a project carried out under the supervision of one of our academic staff and have the opportunity to specialise in your area of choice.
The MSci degree over four years explores mathematics in greater depth and includes an individually supervised project in the final year.
Course details
Year 1
Students on the Mathematics Faster Route do not undertake Year 1.
Year 2
Courses cover multivariable calculus, linear algebra, topics in applied mathematics, classical mechanics and mathematical modelling, introduction to real analysis, topics in pure mathematics including groups, transformations and symmetries. Students are also exposed to the basics of statistics, giving a progression route into data science as well as mathematics.
- Foundations of Mathematics
- Mathematics 2A: Multivariable Calculus
- Mathematics 2B: Linear Algebra
- Mathematics 2C: Introduction To Real Analysis
- Mathematics 2D: Mathematical Methods and Modelling
- Mathematics 2E: Mechanics
- Mathematics 2F: Groups, Transformations and Symmetries
- Statistics 2R: Probability
- Statistics 2S: Statistical Methods, Models and Computing 1
- Statistics 2X: Probability II
- Statistics 2Y: Statistical Methods, Models and Computing 2
Years 3 and 4
At Honours level you will study a wide range of topics.
The Applied Mathematics courses allow students who prefer the practical and applicable aspects of the subject to concentrate on these elements. The Pure Mathematics courses are ideal for students who prefer the abstract and logical aspects of the subject. Most students take a mix of both.
In fourth year you will undertake a project carried out under the supervision of one of our academic staff and have the opportunity to specialise in your area of choice.
The MSci degree over five years explores mathematics in greater depth and includes an individually supervised project in the final year.
- 3H: Analysis of Differentiation and Integration
- 3H: Metric Space and Basic Topology
- 3H: Mathematical Methods
- 3H: Writing and Presenting Mathematics
- 3H: Methods in Complex Analysis
- 3H: Algebra
- 3H: Mechanics of Rigid and Deformable Bodies
- 3H: Dynamical Systems
- 4H: Differential Geometry
- 4H: Topics in Algebra
- 4H: Number Theory
- 4H: Numerical Methods
- 4H: Measure Theory and Probability
- Mathematics Project 4
- 4H: Fluid Mechanics
- 4H: Partial Differential Equations
- 4H: Functional Analysis
- 4H: Galois Theory
- 4H: Algebraic and Geometric Topology
- Financial Statistics (STATS4010)
- 4H: Further Complex Analysis
- 4H: Continuum Mechanics and Elasticity
- 4H: Mathematical Physics
- 4H: Mathematical Biology
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional
circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information,
please see: Student contract.
Our international links
You will have the opportunity to study abroad at one of our partner universities as part of your degree. This does not add any extra time to your studies: see Study abroad.
Entry requirements
for entry in 2025
Summary of entry requirements for Mathematics (faster route)
SQA Higher entry requirements
- Advanced Highers – AAA including Mathematics and one Science subject attained in one exam year and at the first attempt.
Applicants must also meet the standard offer threshold with S5 grades to be considered for faster route.
A-level entry requirement
- Three A-levels at A*AA including Mathematics and Further Mathematics attained in one exam year and at the first attempt.
IB entry requirements
- 38 points with three Higher Level subjects at 6,6,6 including Mathematics and one Science subject attained in one exam year and at the first attempt.
Admissions guidance
English language
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
English language requirements
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)
- 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
- IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
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Common equivalent English language qualifications for entry to this programme
TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)
- 90 overall with Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements, this includes TOEFL mybest.
Pearsons PTE Academic
- 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
- 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Oxford English Test
- 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
LanguageCert Academic SELT
- 70 overall with no subtest less than 60
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Password Skills Plus
- 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Trinity College Tests
- Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
- Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
School Qualifications
- IGCSE English First Language, grade C
- IGCSE English Second Language, grade A
- A Level English, grade C
- International Baccalaureate English A SL5 or HL5
- International Baccalaureate English B SL6 or HL5
- SQA National 5 English or ESOL, grade B
- SQA Higher English or ESOL, grade C
International School Qualifications
- Brunei: O-Level English Language 1120 grade B and above
- Denmark: Studentereksamen English at 7
- European Baccalaureate: English as Language 1 pass, if taken as Language 2 grade 7, if taken as Language 3 grade 7.5
- Finland: Ylioppilastutkinto / studentexamen English grade C or 4
- France: International Option Baccalaureate (OIB) / Baccalauréat Français International (BFI) grade 12
- Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone: West African Examination Council (WAEC) / Senior Secondary School Certificate English grade C6
- Germany: German Abitur English Grade 11
- Hong Kong: Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, English Language grade 4
- India: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) / All India School Certificate (ISC) English at 80%
- Kenya: Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) English grade B
- Netherlands: Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) grade 7
- Norway: Vitnemal English grade 4 or above
- Singapore: Cambridge International O Level English Language (1128 Singapore only) at Grace C; Singapore Integrated Programme Secondary 4 English Language at grade B
- South Africa: National Senior Certificate (NSC) / Independent Exam Board (IEB) Grade 4 (English as Home Language) OR Grade 4 (English as First Additional Language)
- Sweden: Avgangsbetyg / Fullständigt Slutbetyg fran Gymnasieskolan English grade VG
- Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at English at Ordinary Level grade C
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Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
- Undergraduate 2+2 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
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Pre-sessional courses
We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:
- direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
- essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
- flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.
For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:
We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:
- Heriot Watt
- Kingston Upon Thames
- Middlesex University
- Manchester University
- Reading University
- Edinburgh University
- St Andrews University
- UCL
- Durham
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FAQs
What do I do if...
my language qualifications are below the requirements?
The University's School of Modern Languages and Cultures offers a range of Pre-sessional courses to bring you up to entry level. The course is accredited by BALEAP, the UK professional association for academic English teaching.
my language qualifications are not listed here?
Please contact External Relations
If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:
- UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
- UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]
Visa requirements and proof of English language level
It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.
Further information about English language: School of Modern Languages & Cultures: English for Academic Study
Career prospects
Many of our graduates go onto careeers in the financial services sector or computing or undertake postgraduate study. Others are employed in industry, using the modelling and problem-solving skills gained on the programme.
Accreditation
Our programmes are accredited by the Institute of Mathematics & Its Applications.
Degrees and UCAS codes
When applying you will need to know the UCAS code for the subject or subject-combination that you wish to apply to:
BSc (Hons)
MSci
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
How and when you pay tuition fees depends on where you’re from: see Tuition fees for details.
Scholarships
The University is committed to supporting students and rewarding academic excellence. That's why we've invested more than £1m in additional scholarship funding in recent years.
World Changers RUK Excellence Scholarship
The RUK Excellence Scholarship of £1,000 for each year of study will be awarded to first degree new entrants who have attained academic excellence in one sitting at A Level.
World Changers RUK Access Bursary
The bursary supports talented students who may not be able to take their place at University for reasons of financial hardship. It is available to new entrant full-time, undergraduate students of the University of Glasgow who are fully registered for the up coming academic session, ordinarily domiciled in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and paying full annual tuition fee.
The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database
How to apply
Full-time students must apply through the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
SQA applicants who are eligible for our Widening Participation programmes are encouraged to participate in one or more of these programmes, including Summer School, to support your application and the transition to higher education.
International students to Arts, Engineering, Law, Nursing, Science, and Social Sciences can also apply using The Common Application: however, if applying to more than one UK university, we recommend using UCAS. Applications to Dentistry, Education, Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine must be made through UCAS.
Application deadlines
- 15 October: if including Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine or also applying to Oxford or Cambridge
- 29 January: all other UK applicants (unless otherwise stated on the UCAS website)
- 30 June: international students.
We do not usually accept any applications after these deadlines.
It's your responsibility to ensure the accuracy of your application before submission. Requests to correct application content, change degree programme or change college of entry, will not be accepted after these deadlines. This policy is in place to ensure fairness and consistency to all applicants, and no exceptions will be made.
- Apply at www.ucas.com or through your school or college
- Contact UCAS on 0871 468 0468
- Apply at commonapp.org (international students to certain areas only)
ATAS: Academic Technology Approval Scheme
Please note that this programmes in this subject at Masters level require ATAS. If yours is not one of the exempt nationalities, then you will need to apply for an ATAS certificate before commencing your programme of study and applying for your visa or extension of stay.
Please apply as early as possible as the process can take a number of months to complete.
The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) was introduced on 1 November 2007. It is used to help stop the spread of knowledge and skills that could be used in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery. This is in common with other governments around the world.
The ATAS is designed to ensure that people who are applying to study certain sensitive subjects in the UK do not have links to WMD programmes.
- more information about the scheme and ATAS certificate (UK Government website).
Subject league tables
Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide [Mathematics]
Related programmes
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