Vicky Neale - Why Study Mathematics?

Praise for Why Study Mathematics?

Why Study Mathematics? is an insightful guide for anyone considering studying mathematics at university. It explains the sort of maths you can expect to find and how it will be taught, and highlights the wide variety of career options that a maths degree opens up. It also includes important examples of where maths is used in the real world. I recommend it to all prospective maths students and their parents.

Nicholas J. Higham, Royal Society Research Professor
and Richardson Professor of Applied Mathematics,
University of Manchester

The mystery of a mathematics degree what it is, where it leads and why its useful is unlocked in this easy read. Detailed, accessible and broad ranging, Vicky Neale refines the complex and varying nature of high-level mathematics into an understandable, useful and relatable form. An ideal guide for A level maths students when pondering their next steps.

Kerry Burnham, headteacher, Exeter Maths School

Why Study Mathematics? explores in depth the various options that a maths degree has to offer as well as providing expert guidance on what to expect from a maths degree. Vicky Neale addresses all the questions that an enthusiastic mathematician considering a maths degree might have. She refutes the myth that studying maths beyond school/college is restrictive or overwhelmingly challenging. Neales book is both informative and engaging: it made me want to study a mathematics degree all over again, or at least revisit certain topics that are discussed. I highly recommend this book to any student or maths enthusiast wanting to study mathematics at university. Being a mathematics teacher myself, this book is definitely a resource I shall be directing A level students to.

Rebecca Blazewicz, mathematics teacher,
Bristol Grammar School

An essential read for anyone considering studying mathematics at university. Vicky Neale takes you through what to expect in your studies, and explains the practical uses and beauty of a mathematics degree.

James Grime, lecturer, public speaker and Numberphile presenter

Another great book from Vicky Neale. An extremely useful guide for students (and their advisors!) on studying mathematics at university.

Dr Kevin Houston, School of Mathematics, University of Leeds

Why Study Mathematics? is superb! It will be the very first book that I will recommend to students who wish to study mathematics at university, as it provides a very easy-to-follow guide to the many fascinating areas and branches of mathematics that could be studied during a mathematics degree and to the ever-growing number of careers that require one. Neale provides compelling insight not just into how useful mathematics is in todays modern world, but also into what an essential and integral element of everyday life the subject is. The book provides wonderful examples of how mathematics is used in todays ever-evolving world, from its involvement in online shopping and JPEG compression to the way its used to analyse climate change. The beauty of mathematics is also revealed through Eschers paintings, many elegant equations and the intriguing world of infinities, all of which should inspire students to go and find out more.

Jason Hudson, Director of Mathematics, Wilsons School

This book is impressively thorough in its treatment of the factors that a student might consider, both in navigating the intimidating variation of choice in mathematical courses and in exploring the essence of what maths is and the subjects implications in a wide variety of industrial and research settings. Vicky Neale is clearly someone who not only has a deep knowledge of maths, from SIR models to JPEG compression, but also has extensive experience in helping students both in the lead up to university and beyond. I highly recommend it to any student, including both those who are just exploring their university options and those who are already set on a mathematics degree and want to explore the short-term and longer-term implications of their choice.

Dr Jamie Frost, teacher at Tiffin School, founder of DrFrostMaths and Top 10 Finalist for the Global Teacher Prize 2020

Why Study Mathematics? is awesome! Its absolutely the book I wish Id had as a sixth former, when, truth be told, you dont really know what studying a maths degree is. Its beautifully written and really engaging, and it represents a great starting point from which to explore all the different maths courses that are available. Crucially, it helps you formulate the questions you need to ask the tutors on those different courses to help you work out where will be the best place for you to study.

Sophie Carr, founder of Bays Consulting and Aperiodicals
Worlds Most Interesting Mathematician

This book is essential reading for A level students who are thinking about a maths degree. The reader is given an accurate picture of what to expect on a maths degree course and what employment opportunities may follow. The descriptions and examples are perfectly chosen and do a great job of showing why the subject is so interesting and enjoyable.