Hanes / Mathemateg

Why study History and Mathematics at Aberystwyth University? 

• Mathematics and History have been taught at Aberystwyth University since 1872, making the university the first in Wales to teach these subjects. Our established heritage alongside our strong research-based teaching ensures that our degrees are innovative and stimulating.

• We have a copyright library a stone throw away from campus, the National Library of Wales.

• Our subject areas in History range from early to modern history, political history, social history, economic and cultural history.

• In Mathematics, our expertise covers algebra, analysis, statistics, and mechanics, with specialisms in fluids, solids and quantum information.

• Students who wish to study modules through the medium of Welsh can do so with the Departments of Mathematics and History.

Ein Staff

Mae gan bob un o ddarlithwyr yr Adran Hanes a Hanes Cymru gymwysterau hyd at safon PhD, ac mae gan y rhan fwyaf hefyd TUAAU.

Mae’r holl ddarlithwyr yn yr Adran Mathemateg wedi’u cymhwyso i lefel PhD ac yn weithgar ym myd ymchwil. Mae gan y rhan fwyaf gymhwyster addysgu uwchraddedig ac mae’n rhaid i staff newydd gwblhau’r TUAAU. Mae’r adran hefyd yn cyflogi nifer o diwtoriaid rhan-amser, sydd â phrofiad dysgu eang, a rhai arddangoswyr sy’n cael eu dewis o blith ein myfyrwyr israddedig ac uwchraddedig.

What career prospects exist with a History & Mathematics degree?

Our graduates have been successful in securing a profession in many different fields:

• Education;
• Law;
• Archivists;
• Publishers;
• Politics;
• Civil Servants;
• Financial Management;
• Media;
• Armed Forces.

As a department we are very proud of our notable and esteem alumni:

• Dr Tim Brain, former Chief Constable of Gloucestershire;
• Guto Bebb, Member of Parliament;
• Dr Joanne Cayford,  BBC; 
• Berwyn Davies, Head of the Welsh Higher Education Office Brussels;
• Iwan Griffiths, Sports reporter for the S4C (Welsh language broadcast channel).

Heritage sector student placements

Our department has strong links with the heritage sector, and an established portfolio of student placements. In the past, students have spent up to three weeks at the National Library of Wales (including Welsh-medium opportunities), the Royal Commission on the Ancient & Historic Monuments of Wales, and the Society of Antiquaries of London. These placements provide the opportunity for ‘hands-on’ experience and insights into the heritage sector, and are very valuable for the CV!

Click here to find out about the various opportunities that our Aberystwyth University Careers team offer.

Enhance your employability prospects with GO Wales and YES (Year in Employment Scheme) managed by our Careers department. 

International opportunities: Erasmus & the Study Abroad programme

Having a range of experiences is very valuable for life after university, and excellent opportunities are provided by the Erasmus or Study Abroad schemes. History & Welsh History have established Erasmus exchange programmes with universities in Germany, Prague, Budapest and Norway. The Department also has links with a number of American colleges.

Alumni mentoring and graduate talks

The Alumni Mentoring Scheme will enable you to make contact with past graduates in a range of careers in a safe and supportive environment. History & Welsh History also arranges talks from alumni at different stages of their careers. Recent talks include ‘From university to a career in cultural heritage: first steps’, presented by a recent graduate who now has a place on a prestigious Tate Gallery traineeship.

What will I learn?

The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the three year degree scheme.

• In the first year, you will follow a clearly defined pathway through the study of core disciplines of mathematics and you will be introduced to new concepts and historical skills, Welsh History, the First World War and our choice of other modules which reflect a broad chronological and thematic range.

• In the second year you will study real analysis, complex analysis, and linear algebra. You will examine the historical method, which examines the way in which the meaning, methods, and writing of history have changed over time, European History, Germany and Nazism and The British Empire.

• In the third year you will be able to direct your own study and specialise further by choosing from a wide range of elective modules in both disciplines.

How will I be taught?

• You will be taught through a complementary set of teaching and learning methods and approaches, ranging from formal lectures, seminars and tutorials to practicals and individual and group-based project work.

• You will be assessed through a combination of coursework, presentations, reports and examinations.

• You will be assigned a personal tutor throughout your degree course, who will help you with any problems or queries, whether these are academic-related or personal issues. You should feel free to contact them at any time for help and advice.

• You will also have the opportunity to complete a Personal Development Plan (PDP) at Aberystwyth. This is a structured process of self-appraisal, reflection, and planning, which will enable you to chart your personal, academic and professional development throughout your time at university. By recording your academic performance, and highlighting the skills you already have and those you will need for future employability, the PDP portfolio will equip you with the necessary tools to plan effectively, develop successful approaches to study, and consider your future career options and aspirations.

Studying History at Aberystwyth has been brilliant. The ability to pick modules and cater to your tastes has allowed me to pursue what I want. If I want to study Russia I can. Alongside this the great teaching staff have a wealth of experience and knowledge who provide excellent teaching. I can approach them very easily and they are willing to give me the time and support I need. I can ask for help with essays and advice on what to read and research. Reading is key as a historian and the Library is a great resource for getting books. It has nearly all the books you need and should the book be out you can go to the National Library of Wales. In my two years of studying history I have not once regretted my choice, and going into my third year I cannot wait. Connor Lambert

There is never a boring topic and the course goes much deeper into mathematics than I was expecting. There are so many different modules to choose from that you will always find something to interest you. The lecturers are always willing to help. Elin Wyn Hughes

Maths is a great course with really friendly and approachable lecturers. The content is always really interesting, but challenging to the right extent. The whole department works effectively to offer all the facilities needed to gain a good degree. Jennifer O'Neil

What I love about studying History at Aberystwyth is everything! It is such a great degree scheme, with a wide range of modules to choose from in each year of study. The tutors are fantastic and always helpful and knowledgeable. Everyone within the department is friendly - staff and students alike - which creates a lovely working atmosphere. We have a fantastic resource just down the road, the National Library of Wales, which not only contains every book published in the UK after 1911 but is also a beautiful building to study in and commands the best view over the whole of Aberystwyth town. Studying History at Aberystwyth was the best decision I have ever made! Rachel Twomey