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What career should I pursue?

I'm currently a first year taking an MPharm course, and I know for a fact I won't be able to endure it for the next 3 and half years. The passion to study pharmacy just isn't there anymore. I've always enjoyed studying maths from GCSEs and through to A-Levels, and the fact that it's quite "black-and-white" makes it more enjoyable for me.

I want to switch to a course that is more maths-orientated, but I'm not too sure on the career paths after getting my degree. I just need a bit of help on what degrees are out there, and how maths-heavy they are. Obviously there's the option of doing pure maths, but I got a high B for maths A-Level, and I don't know if that'll suffice.

Any guidance is appreciated
Original post
by j.wam6
I'm currently a first year taking an MPharm course, and I know for a fact I won't be able to endure it for the next 3 and half years. The passion to study pharmacy just isn't there anymore. I've always enjoyed studying maths from GCSEs and through to A-Levels, and the fact that it's quite "black-and-white" makes it more enjoyable for me.
I want to switch to a course that is more maths-orientated, but I'm not too sure on the career paths after getting my degree. I just need a bit of help on what degrees are out there, and how maths-heavy they are. Obviously there's the option of doing pure maths, but I got a high B for maths A-Level, and I don't know if that'll suffice.
Any guidance is appreciated

A degree in any subject usually allows you to go into any job that doesn't require a degree (600+), a job that requires a degree in any subject, or jobs specifically aligns with the degree.

Maths degrees generally are not legally required for any specific career, but there are often mathematical careers that strongly prefer maths graduates or closely aligned subjects.

The most mathematical careers (otherwise you won't require anything close to GCSE level maths) tend to include:

Maths teacher

Researcher in maths, physics, engineering, computer science, economics (modelling), finance

Quants

Actuary (what most maths graduates tend to do after)

Data related careers e.g. data analysts, data scientists

Bioinformatics - mostly stats

Economics - mostly in modelling, otherwise economists tend to focus on stats only

Maths degrees tend to focus on number patterns and math theory i.e. you would be spending most of your time doing proofs. If this isn't something you enjoy doing, I recommend revising your options. If you are more into the applications of maths like most people are, then your options are more focused in one of the following:

Economics and MORSE

Computer science and software engineering

Any type of engineering - if you did pharmacy, then you should have chemistry i.e. chemical engineering should be an option

Finance, financial engineering, financial mathematics, actuarial science

Physics

Biological mathematics - essentially a maths degree in a biological context

Bioinformatics - master's degree level

See: https://www.mathscareers.org.uk/degree-courses-a-level-mathematics/

You should be eligible for all of the above degree options, except for physics and most areas of engineering. If you have done Biology, you should be able to do bioengineering. If you have done physics, you should be eligible for most areas of engineering and physics.

If you are interested in physics or physics based subjects, I strongly recommend doing the A Level with practical assessment - it's going to be cheaper than doing a foundation year and it's very mathematical subject anyway.
(edited 10 months ago)

Reply 2

Original post
by MindMax2000
A degree in any subject usually allows you to go into any job that doesn't require a degree (600+), a job that requires a degree in any subject, or jobs specifically aligns with the degree.
Maths degrees generally are legally required for any specific career, but there are often mathematical careers that strongly prefer maths graduates or closely aligned subjects.
The most mathematical careers (otherwise you won't require anything close to GCSE level maths) tend to include:

Maths teacher

Researcher in maths, physics, engineering, computer science, economics (modelling), finance

Quants

Actuary (what most maths graduates tend to do after)

Data related careers e.g. data analysts, data scientists

Bioinformatics - mostly stats

Economics - mostly in modelling, otherwise economists tend to focus on stats only


Maths degrees tend to focus on number patterns and math theory i.e. you would be spending most of your time doing proofs. If this isn't something you enjoy doing, I recommend revising your options. If you are more into the applications of maths like most people are, then your options are more focused in one of the following:

Economics and MORSE

Computer science and software engineering

Any type of engineering - if you did pharmacy, then you should have chemistry i.e. chemical engineering should be an option

Finance, financial engineering, financial mathematics, actuarial science

Physics

Biological mathematics - essentially a maths degree in a biological context

Bioinformatics - master's degree level


See: https://www.mathscareers.org.uk/degree-courses-a-level-mathematics/
You should be eligible for all of the above degree options, except for physics and most areas of engineering. If you have done Biology, you should be able to do bioengineering. If you have done physics, you should be eligible for most areas of engineering and physics.
If you are interested in physics or physics based subjects, I strongly recommend doing the A Level with practical assessment - it's going to be cheaper than doing a foundation year and it's very mathematical subject anyway.

Thank you for your response, I appreciate the insight.

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