Welcome to Mathematical Sciences
You are joining a department with a long history, a broad view of the mathematical sciences and a strong sense of community. Whether your interests lie in pure mathematics, applied mathematics, statistics, financial and actuarial mathematics, data science or theoretical physics, you will be studying alongside people who use mathematics to understand everything from abstract structures and fundamental particles to waves, healthcare, finance and complex real-world systems.
A mathematics degree is not simply about learning more mathematics—although you will certainly do plenty of that. It is about learning to think carefully, to recognise structure, to make convincing arguments and to persist when the answer is not immediately obvious. These are demanding skills, but they are also powerful ones. They will open up an enormous range of possibilities, both during your degree and after you graduate.
University study will be different from what you have experienced before. We will teach you, challenge you and support you, but an important part of your education will come from the work you do for yourself and with one another. Mathematics is sometimes portrayed as a solitary activity. In reality, it thrives on discussion, collaboration and the exchange of ideas. Talk to your lecturers, attend tutorials and support sessions, get to know your academic advisor, join MathSoc and become part of the life of the Department.
You should also expect parts of your degree to be difficult. That is entirely normal. Becoming stuck is not evidence that you cannot do mathematics; it is part of doing mathematics. The important thing is not to struggle in silence. There is a wide range of academic and personal support available, and we would much rather you ask for help early than wait until a small difficulty has become a large one.
There will be a great deal of information to absorb during Welcome Week, so please do not worry if you cannot remember everything immediately. We will help you find your way around the Department, understand how your programme works and settle into university life.
I hope that you will make the most of everything Liverpool has to offer: the mathematics, the University, the city and, above all, the people you will meet here. By the time you graduate, I hope you will leave not only with a valuable degree, but with greater confidence, intellectual independence and a lasting connection to the Mathematical Sciences community at Liverpool.
I wish you every success with your studies and look forward to welcoming you to the Department.
Professor Daniel Colquitt, Head of Department of Mathematical Sciences
Register online
You now need to register with the University. Details on how you can register are also included in the ‘Your Registration’ document you received as part of your Welcome Week pack.
Additional guidance will be updated when the Foundation and Welcome Week timetables are confirmed.
Welcome Week
You will be invited to a meeting with your Programme Director to introduce you to the Department of Mathematical Sciences as you begin your new journey. You’ll have the chance to meet fellow incoming students and find out more about your programme.
View Central Welcome Week information and activities.
More support and information for starting your course
Maths Student Support Office
The Student Support Office offers help and advice for all Maths students. This can be found in the School of Physical Sciences School Office (Chadwick Building), opposite the Central Teaching Laboratories. The team are available Monday – Friday, from 9AM – 5PM and can be contacted by:
- Emailing MathStudentSupport@liverpool.ac.uk
- Calling 0151 794 4100
Alternatively you can drop in to see the team at any time during opening hours, no appointment necessary. The below image should help you identify where to go.
Maths Student Hub
The Maths Student Information Pages on Canvas (the University’s Virtual Learning Environment) will be an essential resource for you throughout your time in the Department. You will be able to log on to Canvas as soon as you have set up your University IT account (see https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/csd/quickstart/). Of particular relevance for your first weeks is information about how to get help, a list of frequently asked questions about studying Mathematics, and information about your programme of study.
Your Academic Advisor
All students at the University of Liverpool will be assigned a named academic member of staff as their Academic Advisor. Their role is to meet with you regularly, to provide information, advice and guidance on academic matters and to direct you to further sources of information on academic matters as well as the wide range of information, advice and guidance on non-academic matters available to students at Liverpool.
Student Support Services
Your first few days at University can be quite confusing and it may take time for you to settle into your new surroundings and life as a student.
At the Student Services Centre the specialist teams are available to help with any practical, emotional or general issues. They can also direct you to the most appropriate services across the University.
The Liverpool Guild of Students (Student Societies)
Liverpool Guild of Students (LGoS) is the Students' Union for the University of Liverpool.
Need more information?
If you would like any further information about the Department of Mathematical Sciences before you arrive in September, please contact our staff in the Student Support Office on: