Maths has now been the most chosen A-Level for over a decade. In 2024, for the first time, more than 100,000 students took A-Level Maths. Moreover, the number of students that took A-Level Further Maths jumped by 20%. There is a big opportunity to build on the growing popularity of maths among young people and extend this into degrees.

 

However, while there has been a welcome increase in the size of maths degree programmes, mostly at research-intensive universities, maths degree enrolments have been stubbornly flat for a decade. This contrasts with subjects like computer science, which have grown significantly over the same time period. We have produced an interactive chart that shows these changes.

 

Worryingly, many smaller maths degree programmes, mostly at universities that have lower entry requirements, have been shrinking and are under threat. Brighton University, Oxford Brookes University and Birkbeck College have already cancelled or scaled back their maths degree programmes. This creates a significant risk to both the diversity of the maths undergraduate population and the development of maths teacher talent. Indeed, research commissioned by the Council of Mathematical Sciences shows that graduates of these smaller maths departments with lower entry requirements are more likely to enter careers in education.

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An action plan is needed to maintain a healthy ecosystem of maths degrees for the future, including strong and sustainable provision in every region. As well as calling the government to take action, CaMS is delighted to announce our Maths Degrees for the Future Grants project, which will open for applications in Autumn 2024.