What it means to be a Strathclyde Maths and Statistics student

“I really liked my time at Strathclyde. That one year I stayed abroad was very valuable and I feel great when I look back and see that I made it!” – Dayle Scicluna, MSc Quantitative Finance, University of Strathclyde, Class of ‘14

Scotland may be small, but boy, is it mighty! From sparkling lochs to crumbling castles, this little nation sure packs a punch, and was recently named the Rough Guide readers’ most beautiful country in the world. As Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow sits at the heart of all the action, offering both an upbeat metropolitan life and a window to the natural world. With so much to give, this city of culture has been labelled a ‘must visit destination’ by National Geographic, presenting the ideal study spot for prospective students.

“Glasgow is a beautiful place with lots of friendly people,” says Maryam nee Musah, former University of Strathclyde student who graduated in 2015. “As a global study destination, it’s comprised of people with diverse cultural backgrounds where one can widen their personal, cultural and professional outlook even outside the classroom setting.”

Strathclyde’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics – part of Strathclyde’s Faculty of Science -drives the institution’s aim to develop useful learning. Here, research emphasises real-world relevance and application, with a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees helping mathematicians and statisticians translate their skills to a career.

There are many things to think about when considering your higher course of study – and your finances are likely to be among your biggest concern. Receiving financial support can make the world of difference, enhancing both your academic and personal experience of studying at Strathclyde.

Faculty of Science Elite Scholarships are offered at undergraduate, postgraduate and research level. Applicants must hold an offer of study for a course at Strathclyde and be paying full international fees in order to be eligible.

Value of Awards:

Undergraduate degrees: £2,000 per year of study

Master’s degrees: £2,500 or £3,500

Research degrees: £3,000 per year of study

International scholarships are available for postgraduate students entering a one-year full-time taught postgraduate programme. Applicants must hold an offer of study for a course at Strathclyde and be paying full international fees.

Value of Award:

– £4,000 or £6,000 Progression Scholarships for International Research Students – MRes, MPhil and PhD International students who have studied both an undergraduate degree and an MSc at Strathclyde, and who are progressing to a research degree will receive a scholarship of £3,000 per year for the duration of their research degree.

If you’re planning to secure a job in finance and come readily equipped with a degree in engineering, science or business, Strathclyde’s MSc Quantitative Finance is the perfect fit for you. So far, 100 percent of students who secured a placement during their studies were offered a job after graduation, with many going on to forge successful careers within the finance industry.

“My focus when I selected the MSc programme was generally on the UK, since it’s well known for its high-quality education all around the world,” says Julia Loder, Quantitative Finance student from the Class of 2015. “The reason why I finally chose the University of Strathclyde and the Department of Mathematics was the very unique structure of the MSc programme, which runs in co-operation with Mathematics and Statistics and the Strathclyde Business School.”

Julia knew she wanted to pursue finance, but was set on a much more methodical curriculum than that offered at most global schools. She scanned the web but found that no other UK course could satisfy her needs, deciding Strathclyde was by far the best option on her list. “And in addition, Glasgow is a city I was really interested in,” she says.

Strathclyde’s MSc in Quantitative Finance is undoubtedly unique; students love its balanced blend of mathematics, finance and computer programming, relishing the chance to hone their business acumen, data analysis and finance techniques. “Personally, I have always had an interest in maths and its application to finance as a kid and the department provided a perfect opportunity to advance my career,” Maryam explains.

In terms of student experience, the university is deemed to be ‘outstanding’, utilising every day to venture into the exceptional. As a world-renowned winner of seven awards in seven years, this is clearly an institution that thinks outside the box. “The student experience at Strathclyde is great,” adds Maryam.

“There are a lot of associations you can join, and every international student automatically becomes a member of the Strathclyde International Society as soon as they gain admission to the school. The association ensures the welfare of students remains high. To be abreast of activities and trips organised by them, you have to join them on Facebook. Your country might also have a society like mine does, enabling you to feel you’ve found a home away from home. It was indeed a truly splendid experience.”

Julia also looks fondly back on her Strathclyde student experience. She enjoyed the chance to connect and collaborate with the business students, increasing her tight-knit group of friends and gaining a wealth of perspectives. “Also, the fact that everybody is living close to the university and therefore close to the city centre helps a lot with finding a good trade-off between studying and leisure time,” she says.

But graduate employability is Strathclyde’s greatest draw. The school’s revered Careers Service keeps students updated and informed on upcoming job vacancies and career prospects, ensuring they have access to the most impactful and sought-after opportunities. “The department has great relationships with the firms whom they partner with,” Maryam explains.

“During our third semester,” she adds, “we worked on real life projects and the aim was to partake in an industry-based research project that exposed students to practical life situations, giving us a chance to use what we’d acquired in our day-to-day classroom trainings. This experience was priceless and is something I still use in my current job role.”

To capitalise on Glasgow as a hub of professional opportunity, you’ll need to apply for a post-study work visa before completing your studies. The city represents the perfect chance to gain meaningful global employment, with Glasgow’s status as a corporate centre making it a hive for accounting and finance.

“As a prospective student, pursuing a degree at Strathclyde should be greatly dependent on your end goal after obtaining your degree,” Maryam concludes. “Make the best of the opportunities around you. Look at your schedule and take breaks to visit the surrounding environment because it’s so beautiful!

“Most importantly, be hard working and be open to working effectively with team members whose background might differ from yours.”

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