Science - Mathematical Sciences
Mathematical Sciences, both as a language and as a body of knowledge and technique, have provided the fundamental underpinnings of science and technology for centuries. Today, its influence stretches beyond the physical sciences and engineering into medicine, business and finance, the life sciences, and the social sciences. Mathematical Sciences are also studied for the elegance of their ideas and the intellectual challenges they pose.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years, full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements
At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H3 in one subject, minimum grade H5 in one subject and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.
Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
English O6/H7
Irish O6/H7
Maths H3
You don’t need to have studied Applied Mathematics for Leaving Certificate, though this would be an advantage.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme LCVP
Distinction 66 points
Merit 46 points
Pass 28 points
Careers / Further progression
Skills and Careers Information
Graduate Study Options
After completing your degree you will have access to many attractive postgraduate study options. There are a number of research-led or taught Masters programmes that you will be eligible to apply for, including:
- MSc Data Science & Analytics
- MSc Financial & Computational Mathematics
- MSc Mathematical Modelling & Machine Learning
- Higher Diploma in Statistics
Our graduates are also successful in pursuing research in disciplines outside of Mathematical Sciences depending on their interests.
Quite a few graduates are successful in obtaining PhD funding from the Irish Research Council and popular research disciplines for graduates of this programme include applied maths, financial maths, pure maths, statistics and mathematical studies.
Career Opportunities
As a graduate, you will have technical, computational and numeracy skills, as well as desirable soft skills, such as oral and written presentation skills and team work experience. These prepare you for a range of employment opportunities and are highly-valued by employers. A mathematical science degree will be seen by employers as evidence that you are able to think independently and quickly learn new skills.
Recent graduates have gone on to work for AIB, Allianz Insurance, Cork County Council, FBD Insurance, Flutter Entertainment, IPB Insurance, and UCC.
A mathematical science degree can lead to a wide range of careers in areas such as:
- Management consultancy
- Actuary
- Banking
- Accountant
- Options trading
- Scientific research
- Software and Computing
- Pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries
- Engineering-based industries such as electronics and communication technologies
Further information
September 2026
Approximate Available Places 6
Find out about the mature entry requirements at https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/entryreqs/matureapplicants/
Approximate Available Places Overall 60
Entry 2026
Early online application (discounted): Fee €35 Closing Date: 20 January 2026 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €50 Closing Date: 1 February 2026 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: €65 Closing Date: 1 May 2026 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2026 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2026. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2026, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2026 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €65 applies.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Course Outline
Mathematical Sciences, both as a language and as a body of knowledge and technique, have provided the fundamental underpinnings of science and technology for centuries. Today, its influence stretches beyond the physical sciences and engineering into medicine, business and finance, the life sciences, and the social sciences. Mathematical Sciences are also studied for the elegance of their ideas and the intellectual challenges they pose.
In our programme you will discover that Mathematical Sciences underpin science, technology, engineering, finance, software development and countless other modern advances. Our Mathematical Sciences programme allows you to study all aspects of mathematics and offers three degree options.
You will study a wide range of topics across mathematics, applied mathematics and statistics, concentrating on the areas you like most, without becoming unduly specialised. There is a significant choice of modules, especially in Years 3 and 4.
In your first year, you review much of what you learned in Leaving Certificate mathematics, with an emphasis on understanding, and build on this.
In your second year, you choose one of three degree programmes:
Mathematical Sciences (Single Honours)
Financial Mathematics and Actuarial Science (Single Honours)
Mathematical Sciences and Physics (Joint Honours)
Each year, you will encounter new areas in the mathematical sciences, from modules in theoretical aspects of mathematics to its practical applications. The balance will depend on your emerging interests.
You will learn programming skills in a mathematical context, you will gain experience working in groups, and you will learn written and oral exposition skills, through your final-year research projects or through your work in statistical consultancy.
Year 1 Modules
AM1052 Introduction to Mechanics (5 credits)
AM1053 Introduction to Mathematical Modelling (5 credits)
AM1054 Mathematical Software (5 credits)
MA1057 Introduction to Abstract Algebra (5 credits)
MA1058 Introduction to Linear Algebra (5 credits)
MA1059 Calculus (5 credits)
MA1060 Introduction to Analysis (5 credits)
ST1051 Introduction to Probability and Statistics (5 credits)
Plus 20 credits from the following:
AC1107 Investment in Capital Assets (5 credits)
AC1108 Introduction to Valuation and Risk (5 credits)
BL1006 Habitats and Ecosystems (5 credits)
CM1006 Introduction to Chemistry for Physicists and Mathematicians (10 credits)
CS1061 Programming in C (5 credits)
CS1065 Computer Applications Programming (5 credits)
CS1069 Introduction to Internet Technologies (5 credits)
MS2013 Geometry (5 credits)
PA1003 Principles of Market Analysis (10 credits)
PY1052 Introductory Physics I* (10 credits)
PY1053 Introductory Physics II* (10 credits)
ST1050 Statistical Programming in R (5 credits)
*Students wishing to study BSc Mathematical Sciences & Physics must take these modules.
Placement or Study Abroad Information
Work Placement
The course does not include any formal placement module, but you are encouraged to seek a summer internship at the end of Year 3. Staff in the School of Mathematical Sciences are willing and able to advise you in sourcing a suitable position through well-established contacts with companies throughout Cork and Ireland.
Study Abroad
A number of our students use their third year of study to go abroad, either for a full year, or for one semester. Popular destinations for our graduates in recent years include the National University of Singapore; North Carolina State University; the Technical University of Munich; University of California, Berkeley; University of California, San Diego; and the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Dr David Henry
d.henry@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 420 5861
http://www.ucc.ie/en/matsci/