Actuary
Actuaries use mathematics, statistics and financial theory to measure and manage risk, especially in insurance, pensions and investment.
What can you do with a mathematics degree?
Also called: Maths · Math · Mathematical sciences · Applied mathematics · Pure mathematics
Updated How we use data
Quick answer
A mathematics degree develops advanced reasoning and problem-solving through pure mathematics, such as algebra and analysis, and applied areas, such as statistics, modelling and computing. The skills are used widely in finance, technology, science and government, and graduates often become actuaries, statisticians, data scientists, financial analysts, software developers or teachers.
Careers with a mathematics degree
Mathematics graduates work wherever numbers, models and logical thinking matter. Common paths include actuarial work in insurance and pensions, statistics, data science and financial analysis, as well as software development and secondary school teaching, where mathematics teachers are in short supply in many countries. Other careers include operational research, cryptography, engineering, economics and scientific research. Many roles need further professional exams or training, but the degree gives a strong base for most careers that use numbers.
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Statistician
Statisticians collect, analyse and interpret data to answer questions and support decisions.
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Data scientist
Data scientists use statistics, programming and machine learning to find patterns in data and help organisations make decisions or build data-driven products.
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Financial analyst
Financial analysts study financial data, markets and company performance to help businesses and investors make decisions about money.
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Software developer
Software developers design, build, test and maintain the programs and apps that run on computers, phones, websites and machines.
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Secondary school teacher
Secondary school teachers teach one or two subjects to students aged about eleven or twelve to eighteen and prepare them for national exams.
Other roles graduates go into: Quantitative analyst · Operational research analyst · Risk analyst · Cryptographer · Mathematical modeller
What you study and the skills you gain
Typical topics
- Calculus and real analysis
- Linear algebra and abstract algebra
- Probability and statistics
- Differential equations and mathematical modelling
- Numerical methods and programming
- Discrete mathematics and number theory
- Mechanics and mathematical physics
- Optimisation and operational research
Skills you gain
- Solving complex, unfamiliar problems step by step
- Building and testing mathematical models
- Analysing data using statistics
- Programming, for example in Python or R
- Writing precise logical arguments and proofs
- Explaining technical results clearly to others
How the degree differs around the world
In the UK and much of Europe, a mathematics bachelor's degree usually takes three years, and a four-year integrated master's or a separate master's is common for research and some specialist jobs. In the United States and Canada it is usually a four-year programme where students major in mathematics and also take courses in other subjects. In China and many other Asian countries it is also usually a four-year degree. Entry almost always requires advanced mathematics at school, and some universities set their own mathematics admission tests. Programmes differ in their balance of pure mathematics, applied mathematics and statistics, so compare modules carefully.
How do mathematics graduates do?
Earnings and employment by country
The OECD compares graduates by field of study. This subject falls under “Natural sciences, mathematics and statistics”. The first column compares the median earnings of tertiary-educated adults in this field with all tertiary-educated adults (100 = average).
| Country | Earnings index (all graduates = 100) | Employment rate, this field | Employment rate, all graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica | 138 (2023) | 77.1% (2024) | 79.2% |
| Chile | 125 (2023) | 84.3% (2022) | 85.7% |
| United States | 117 (2023) | 84.8% (2017) | 84.3% |
| Norway | 111 (2023) | 86.5% (2024) | 89.3% |
| Denmark | 111 (2023) | 82.4% (2021) | 87.8% |
| Mexico | 109 (2023) | 78.3% (2024) | 81.5% |
| Slovenia | 108 (2020) | 93.2% (2024) | 90.8% |
| South Korea | 106 (2023) | — | — |
| Estonia | 105 (2023) | 89.2% (2024) | 89.2% |
| Canada | 105 (2020) | 80.1% (2021) | 80.4% |
| Switzerland | 104 (2023) | 87.7% (2024) | 89.5% |
| Finland | 103 (2022) | 88.4% (2024) | 88.8% |
| Australia | 103 (2020) | 86.2% (2024) | 88.4% |
| Austria | 102 (2023) | 82.6% (2024) | 86.4% |
| Portugal | 101 (2020) | 86.1% (2024) | 90.7% |
| Sweden | 100 (2023) | 85.3% (2024) | 89.6% |
| Germany | 97 (2020) | 86.1% (2024) | 88.7% |
| Romania | 96 (2023) | 92.4% (2024) | 91.5% |
| Luxembourg | 94 (2023) | 79.5% (2024) | 85.7% |
| Latvia | 93 (2023) | 89.3% (2024) | 87.7% |
| United Kingdom | 92 (2020) | 83.2% (2021) | 84.6% |
| Iceland | — | 92.0% (2016) | 93.6% |
| Poland | — | 91.5% (2024) | 91.6% |
| France | — | 91.1% (2024) | 87.3% |
| Lithuania | — | 90.6% (2024) | 90.4% |
| Czechia | — | 90.0% (2024) | 88.4% |
| Netherlands | — | 89.0% (2024) | 90.6% |
| Ireland | — | 87.2% (2021) | 86.9% |
| Slovakia | — | 86.7% (2024) | 90.5% |
| Croatia | — | 86.1% (2024) | 89.7% |
| Spain | — | 84.5% (2024) | 83.9% |
| Belgium | — | 83.9% (2024) | 88.5% |
| Greece | — | 82.9% (2024) | 82.3% |
| Italy | — | 82.9% (2024) | 84.7% |
| Peru | — | 80.5% (2024) | 81.7% |
| Türkiye | — | 72.6% (2016) | 72.9% |
Source: OECD, Education at a Glance. Adults aged 25–64 with tertiary education; latest year available, full-time earners where published. Values are for the whole field of study, not this subject alone.
Graduate earnings in the UK
The UK government links tax records to university records to measure what graduates earn. These figures are for “Mathematics” first-degree graduates who were employed in the 2023–24 tax year.
| Time since graduating | Median | Lower quartile | Upper quartile | In work or study |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| After 1 year | £29,600 | £23,400 | £37,000 | 88.9% |
| After 3 years | £36,200 | £28,900 | £46,800 | 89.6% |
| After 5 years | £43,600 | £32,900 | £60,000 | 88.9% |
| After 10 years | £53,100 | £38,400 | £79,800 | 85.9% |
Source: UK Department for Education, Graduate labour market outcomes (LEO), tax year 2023–24. Earnings are annual and include only graduates in sustained employment. More UK detail on CourseToJob.co.uk
Is a mathematics degree right for you?
It may suit you if
- You enjoy solving hard problems and do not give up easily.
- You like abstract ideas and logical proof as well as practical calculation.
- You want a degree that keeps many career options open, from finance to technology.
Think twice if
- You enjoyed school mathematics mainly for calculation, as university mathematics focuses on proof and abstract ideas.
- You prefer subjects with lots of discussion and group work.
- You find it hard to stay motivated when one problem takes hours or days to solve.
Further study
A master's degree is common for statistics, data science, financial mathematics and operational research, and a PhD leads to research in universities and industry. Actuaries usually qualify through professional exams taken while working, and some degrees give exemptions from the early exams. Many graduates also take a teaching qualification. Programming and data science courses are useful additions for most careers.
Questions about studying mathematics
What jobs can you get with a mathematics degree?
Common jobs include actuary, statistician, data scientist, data analyst, financial analyst, software developer and secondary mathematics teacher. Graduates also work as quantitative analysts, operational research analysts, risk analysts, economists and researchers in science and engineering. Employers in finance, technology, government and consulting value the problem-solving and data skills the degree builds.
Is a mathematics degree hard?
Yes, it is widely seen as one of the more demanding degrees. University mathematics moves quickly from calculation to abstract proof, which many students find a big change from school. Regular practice, working through problems with other students and asking for help early all make a big difference.
Is a mathematics degree worth it?
In most countries, mathematics graduates have good job prospects in many sectors, and the official UK data on this page shows how their earnings compare. The degree keeps many options open, but most well-paid roles also need programming, communication skills or professional exams, so it helps to build these during your studies.
What is the difference between pure and applied mathematics?
Pure mathematics studies mathematical ideas for their own sake, such as algebra, number theory and analysis, and focuses on proof. Applied mathematics uses mathematics to model and solve problems in physics, engineering, biology, finance and other fields. Most degrees include both in the early years and let you specialise later.
Related subjects
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Data science
A data science degree teaches how to collect, clean, analyse and learn from data, combining statistics, programming and machine learning with knowledge of real-world problems.
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Physics
A physics degree explores the laws that govern the universe, from particles and atoms to materials, energy and stars, using mathematics, experiments and computer models.
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Economics
An economics degree studies how people, businesses and governments make choices with limited resources, and how markets, money and policy affect jobs, prices and growth.
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Computer science
A computer science degree teaches how software, data and computer systems work, from programming and algorithms to networks and artificial intelligence.
Sources
- OECD — Education at a Glance, labour-market outcomes — Earnings and employment by field of study, adults 25–64
- UK Department for Education — Graduate labour market outcomes (LEO) — CAH CAH09-01-01 — Mathematics
- UNESCO — ISCED-F 2013 — ISCED-F 0541
How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). What can you do with a mathematics degree? Jobs and salaries. https://coursetojob.com/subjects/mathematics/ (accessed September 26, 2026)