The Council for the Mathematical Sciences (CMS) welcomes new figures released yesterday that show mathematics is becoming one of the most popular subjects for students applying for a place at university.
Figures released by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) show that 10 per cent more applications were made this year for courses in the mathematical sciences than last year. This pushed mathematics in to the top 20 most popular courses at UK universities.
Sir David Wallace, chair of the CMS, said, “This is not just great news for the mathematical sciences. It is also great news for the UK as a whole as we need mathematics graduates more than ever before. As a bedrock for our knowledge economy, Mathematics is vital for scientific research and development, and for our economic and social well-being.”
This year, by the closing date for applications to study in 2007, UCAS had received 33,790 applications for mathematics courses. This demonstrates a 10 per cent increase on this time last year and a massive 37 per cent increase since 2004.
Applications to the mathematical sciences dropped suddenly in 2000 following the introduction of AS-levels. The numbers have been steadily increasing ever since but are still not at the levels they were just ten years ago.
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Notes for Editors
- The Council for the Mathematical Sciences (CMS) was established in 2001 by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, the London Mathematical Society and the Royal Statistical Society to provide a forum for the three mathematical societies. Its purposes are:
- to be proactive in representing the interests of mathematics to government, research councils and other public bodies;
- to seek to promote good practice in the mathematics curriculum and its teaching and learning at all levels and in all sectors of education;
- to respond coherently and effectively to proposals from government and other public bodies which may affect the mathematical community;
- to work where relevant in consultation and co-operation with other bodies.
- The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) is the professional and learned society for qualified and practising mathematicians. Its mission is to promote mathematics in industry, business, the public sector, education and research. Founded in 1964, the Institute now has 5500 members.
- The London Mathematical Society (LMS) is a learned society founded in 1865 for the promotion and extension of all branches of mathematics. It is an independent and self-financing charity, with a membership of over 2600 drawn from all parts of the UK and overseas.
- The Royal Statistical Society (RSS), founded in 1834, is one of the UK’s oldest learned and professional societies, with some 7200 members based in the United Kingdom and overseas. The purpose of the Royal Statistical Society is to develop, foster and disseminate statistical knowledge, methodology and good practice for the benefit of all society.
- For further information contact:
Caroline Davis (Mathematics Policy and Promotion Officer, LMS/IMA) De Morgan House, 57-58 Russell Square, London WC1B 4HS. Tel: + 44 (0)20 7927 0804 caroline.davis@lms.ac.uk
Martin Smith (Secretariat, CMS) De Morgan House, 57-58 Russell Square, London, WC1B 4HS. Tel: + 44 (0)20 7927 0803
