'The course has provided me with a solid technical base applicable to a wide variety of careers. I've been able to specialise in statistics in my final year as it is tailorable to my own interests.' — Hannah Baker, BSc (Hons) Mathematics and Statistics including placement year.

All of our maths degrees give you the option to change courses at the end of your first year, so you can follow the path that suits you and your interests. If you're on the BSc you can also switch to the MMath, an excellent preparation for going into research in pure or applied mathematics, or many other subjects that use mathematics.

Here's a selection of the units available for each stream:

They're not guaranteed, but our award-winning placements team will guide and support you through the whole process.

Placements are a great way to give you experience of the professional world and many are paid so you'll have a chance to top up your university budget.

Many students also find they return from placement more motivated, with a better understanding of the relevance of their studies and a clearer idea of their career path.

'My placement really helped me decide what to do as a career. I went in to doing something I'd never done before, working in technology for an investment bank. I have been offered a job there when I graduate.' Jamie (BSc) Mathematical Sciences including placement year.

Here are some of the companies our students have been to on placement recently:

• BAE Systems
• Deloitte
• Department of Health and Social Care
• Lloyds Banking Group
• The AA
• Abbott Diabetes Care

Alongside teaching, our academics are also heavily involved in research which means our courses are kept up-to-date with the latest thinking. In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF), 88% of our mathematics research was rated world-leading/internationally excellent.

We divide our research activity into a number of key areas, and we encourage collaboration and mutual support between groups and with other departments.

Our research groups:

• Algebra and geometry
• Analysis
• Applied and interdisciplinary mathematics
• Numerical analysis and scientific computing
• Statistics
• Probability

" I absolutely love going out in Bath, because there's such a friendly night atmosphere here. You'll see so many different people you already know or complete strangers, it's just a great night out." Andy BSc (Hons) Mathematics.

Bath is a great size city for students and is often rated as one of the safest places to study in the UK. There's a regular bus service from campus and there's lots to do within walking distance. Students enjoy the range of shops and places to eat, as well as the easy coach and rail links to Bristol or London.

On campus we have everything from arts classes to University Radio and our £30 million sports village gives you the opportunity try a wide range of sports.

There are many options for maths graduates, such as teaching or in working in the financial industry. A maths degree can also form the basis of a career in technology, for instance working in software development.

Companies who've employed Bath graduates recently include:

• Aviva
• BT
• KPMG
• Tate & Lyle
• Oracle

As well as industry, many of our graduates choose to go on to study for a PhD in mathematics, or a specialist MSc.