Mathematics and Statistics

Mathematics and statistics together form one of the most rigorous and intellectually satisfying combinations available in higher education. Mathematics is the study of structure, pattern, and logical necessity, from the abstract heights of pure mathematics to the applied techniques that model physical, biological, and social phenomena. Statistics is the science of uncertainty: it provides the methods for collecting data, drawing inferences, quantifying confidence, and making decisions in the face of incomplete information.

Together, they give you the tools to understand and influence the world at a deep and principled level.

The Open University offers this programme through distance learning and part-time study, making it accessible to people who are managing work, caring responsibilities, or other commitments alongside their education. The OU's approach to mathematics is carefully scaffolded, building your understanding progressively through high-quality written materials, online resources, and tutor support. You will study pure mathematics, including analysis, algebra, and number theory, alongside applied areas such as differential equations, numerical methods, and probability theory, and you will develop expertise in statistical techniques including regression, experimental design, inference, and data analysis.

The combination of mathematical proof and statistical reasoning cultivates a distinctive quality of mind: precision, the ability to handle abstraction, comfort with uncertainty, and the capacity to extract meaning from data. These are among the most valued intellectual attributes in the contemporary job market, and they remain valuable because they are hard to develop and genuinely scarce.

Graduates in mathematics and statistics work across an extraordinary range of sectors. Finance, insurance and actuarial work, data science, engineering, the civil service, operational research, and academic research all recruit heavily from this discipline. The flexibility of part-time study means many graduates enter the job market with significant professional experience already in place, which is a genuine advantage.

Further study at masters level in mathematics, statistics, data science, or a quantitative specialism is another well-established route.