Maths is once again the most popular A Level subject with 105,000 entries in 2025. This is up by more than 4% compared with 2024. Further A Level maths entries have also risen by 7.5% compared with 2024, with over 18,000 entries this year. There is a big opportunity to build on the growing popularity of maths among young people and extend this into degrees.

​

However, while there has been a welcome increase in the size of maths degree programmes, mostly at research-intensive universities, maths degree enrolments have been stubbornly flat for a decade. This contrasts with subjects like computer science, which have grown significantly over the same time period. We have produced an interactive chart that shows these changes.

​

Worryingly, many smaller maths degree programmes, mostly at universities that have lower entry requirements, have been shrinking and are under threat. Brighton University, Oxford Brookes University and Birkbeck College have already cancelled or scaled back their maths degree programmes. This creates a significant risk to both the diversity of the maths undergraduate population and the development of maths teacher talent. Indeed, research commissioned by the Council of Mathematical Sciences shows that graduates of these smaller maths departments with lower entry requirements are more likely to enter careers in education.

​

An action plan is needed to maintain a healthy ecosystem of maths degrees for the future, including strong and sustainable provision in every region. As well as calling the government to take action, CaMS is delighted to announce the winners of the first round of our Maths Degrees for the Future Grants project.