Mathematics is not just the currency used to “get to college.”
It has many uses and opens many doors in this world. But which doors does it open?
A standard pass (grade 4) in maths is required for all further education courses.
If you do not gain this at secondary school, you will be required to re-sit it along side other qualifications.
How does maths put you at an advantage?
Does being good at maths help you earn more? Will studying maths help you secure an interesting and well-paid career? Will there be more or less maths jobs on offer in the future? These are all important questions to ask yourself.
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Sponsored by the Bank of England and EDF Energy, the website has a wide array of
resources to promote careers related to maths including the ‘What’s the point of…?’ series of
posters, STEM career profiles, ‘I love maths’, ‘Who employs mathematicians?’ and ‘An
overview of growth areas for mathematical jobs’. The site has sections for each key stage as
well as information about the application of maths in the main employment sectors (the
environment, health and society, business and money, entertainment, science and
engineering and sport).
Maths Careers is managed by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications
The website has information for schools and colleges on how to register online with the
support programme for help in their region. The programme aims to support and promote
the study of AS/A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics and to arrange Further
Mathematics tuition for students when their schools and colleges cannot provide it
themselves. The FMSP provides training and support to teachers of AS/A level Mathematics
and Further Mathematics and KS4 Higher Tier Mathematics. The FMSP supports the
development of Higher Level Problem Solving skills including support for teachers helping
students prepare for STEP, AEA and MAT examinations. The website has useful resources
for students and teachers relating to events, revision advice, careers in STEM, opportunities
for girls, help for parents and access to higher education.
The government-funded Further Mathematics Support Programme is managed by
Mathematics in Education and Industry, an independent charity http://www.mei.org.uk/. Its
resources include M4 (a magazine for teachers) and Realistic Maths Education problemsolving activities.
More maths grads http://www.moremathsgrads.org.uk/ (not in the top ten) is worth a look for
its more limited information about studying maths at top universities plus its selection of
The site has details of the STEM Ambassadors who come into schools to inspire young
people and work alongside teachers http://www.stemnet.org.uk/ambassadors/
Education and Employers is a charity that runs Inspiring the Future to connect state schools
and colleges with employers and people from the world of work. It co-ordinates a network
of volunteers who are willing to come into schools to talk informally about their job, career
and their educational route. The matching is done online. Volunteers provide information
about areas of expertise that might be of interest to students such as apprenticeships,
enterprise, maths, financial literacy, engineering and technology.
The Millennium Mathematics Project (MMP) is a maths education and outreach initiative for
ages 3 to 19 and the general public co-ordinated by the Faculties of Mathematics and
Education at the University of Cambridge. It aims to enrich everyone’s experience of
mathematics and increase their understanding, confidence and enjoyment. The project
organises face-to-face activities and events as well as developing curriculum resources such
as ‘maths and football’ in collaboration with Arsenal in the Community.
The project has thousands of resources on its NRICH (enrich) website many relating to how
maths is used in everyday and working life http://nrich.maths.org/frontpage.
The project also has an online mathematics magazine called Plus which has useful news,
articles, podcasts, puzzles and ebooks https://plus.maths.org/content/
The careers menu on the Royal Statistical Society website features job profiles, information
on different types of jobs and advice for students at different career stages, e.g. 11-16, 16-
19 and 19+.
The site has a section for teachers with a link to the International Centre for Statistical
Education (ICSE) based at Plymouth University http://www.icse.xyz/
The site also has a useful link to the ESRC page on research-related and other careers in the
social sciences http://www.esrc.ac.uk/public-engagement/social-science-for-schools/Careers/
Your Life is an industry-led and government-supported campaign, which aims to promote
career opportunities related to the study of Maths and Physics at A Level or equivalent. The
industrial sponsors are AT Kearney, BAE Systems, Carillion, Ford, Nestlé, Johnson &
Johnson, Rio Tinto and Shell. The website has details of resources and competitions.
The Science Council developed this resource to show that studying science and maths at
school can help students no matter what job they go on to. It has a wealth of resources
which can be searched in a number of ways (e.g. by subject, key stage or economic sector).
It also has resources for teachers, careers advisers and parents/carers.
STEM Learning is the new website of the National STEM Centre, ESERO-UK and the National
Science Learning Network. It has news, articles, resources and information about CPD
events and groups for maths teachers. Many of the resources are careers-related such as
video career profiles, case studies, articles and reports.
The London Mathematical Society is a learned society for mathematics which promotes
study and research at the highest levels. Its ‘Faces of Mathematics’ page highlights the work
and achievements of some of the people who’ve made major contributions in the world of