Teaching

Sheffield mathematics and statistics students learn in lots of different ways. In lectures, experts introduce you to key concepts and the latest research, and in small group tutorials, you'll work through mathematics problems and increase your specialist knowledge with supportive academic staff.

A tutor stood by a chalk board talking to students
On

You'll also be able to learn to use specialist mathematics and statistics software, and complete research projects that tie all of your skills and knowledge together in a practical way.


Lectures

Expert mathematicians will explain essential concepts and the latest research in pure maths, applied maths, probability and statistics.

The further you go in your degree, the more topics you have to choose from and the more opportunities you have to specialise.

Students in a maths lecture

Tutorials

You'll have regular problems classes, where you'll work in small groups as staff help you to understand and solve complex mathematical problems.

This is a great chance to see how the ideas in your lectures work in practice, ask questions about areas you're struggling with, and get extra support from our friendly academic staff.


Programming classes

For some of your modules, you might have practical sessions to teach you how to use specialist mathematics software.

This can include the statistical modelling package R, the programming language Python, typesetting using LaTeX, and website design using HTML and CSS – all useful skills to have on your CV.

Students working together at a computer

Research projects

Lots of modules include mini-research projects that give you the chance to put your mathematics knowledge into practice, and see a complex problem through from start to finish.

You can also complete a teaching project with local schools through our Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme.

If you do one of our research-intensive MMath degrees, you'll spend a third of your final year working on a major independent research project. This year is designed to prepare you for a career in research, with training in how to write mathematical reports and present your findings.

Undergraduate research experience

Each year undergraduates can apply to work on a research project during the summer. There are a number of schemes that gives you a bursary to spend four-to-eight weeks working with one of our mathematics researchers over the summer break. You'll be able to get first-hand experience of major research projects. It can even lead to your name appearing in an academic journal.

Headshot of Declan Maurice stood in front of the Arts Tower smiling

My internship gave me insights into a mathematics research career

Declan Maurice Mathematics MMath

Declan took part in the Sheffield Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) programme, spending a summer working on number theory and developing his programming skills.

Guardian University Awards

A couple of years ago, we asked a radical question: what if we scrapped lectures?

We decided to take a 'flipped learning' approach to the teaching we run for engineering students at the University of Sheffield, putting an emphasis on spending as much time as possible with students in small groups.

Lectures were replaced with 10-minute videos, online quizzes and twice as many tutorial sessions.

Students' marks improved as a result and we were runners-up in the Teaching Excellence category at the Guardian University Awards.

 

Four students laughing while sat at a bench, outside the Students' Union

International Merit Scholarships

We offer a generous package of financial support for international students including 75 undergraduate scholarships worth £10,000 towards the annual tuition fee and 125 postgraduate taught scholarships worth £5,000 towards the tuition fee. Applications are now open for existing offer holders.