Reminder about FHEQ Levels
University and departmental regulations often specify the FHEQ level of the some of the modules you must choose and the number of CATS you must pass at a given level.
FHEQ stands for the Frameworks for Higher Education. This comes from nationally-recognised volumes of credit for qualifications at all levels of the Quality Assurance Agency's QAA’s Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).
The FHEQ level of the module is reflected in its module code as follows
- A module with code of the form XX1XX is at FHEQ Level 4 (Undergraduate Level 1)
- A module with code of the form XX2XX is at FHEQ Level 5 (Undergraduate Level 2)
- A module with code of the form XX3XX is at FHEQ Level 6 (Undergraduate Level 3)
- A module with code of the form XX4XX is at FHEQ Level 7 (Undergraduate Level 4)
Note: The module catalogue uses Undergraduate Level rather than FHEQ Level.
Importance of FHEQ levels to progression and award
Alongside all the other university and departmental requirement for your programme, if your programme of study began since or in academic year 2021/22 then:
- to progress from year 1 to year 2, you must pass at least 90 CATS of FHEQ Level 4 modules
- to progress from year 2 to year 3, you must pass at least 90 CATS of FHEQ Level 5 modules
- to be awarded a BSc or to progress from year 3 to year 4 of the MMath, you must pass at least 90 CATS of FHEQ Level 6 modules.
- to be awarded an MMath, you must take 120 CATS of FHEQ Level 7 modules, of which you must pass at least 90 CATS.
General advice about choosing optional modules
Key points
- Choose modules you are really interested in, not just those that are "supposed to be easy". Finding optional modules you are motivated to work on is an excellent path to success at university.
- Plan ahead. Think about taking modules that might give you a strong background for future modules. Pre-requisites for some departments outside of maths are strictly enforced.
- Be realistic about workload. Do not take extra optional modules if you are unable to devote the necessary time to them. Remember that 120 CATS is the normal load, and anything higher requires extra time and effort.
- Strategise workload across two terms. Do not take too many CATS in Term 1. Remember that all Term 1 modules are examined in two weeks in April, whereas Term 2 exams are typically more spread out.
- Seek advice from the maths society, students in senior years, your supervisor and your tutor.
- Use historical grade distributions with care. Although they can be informative about modules that student did well or badly in, the distributions depend on who lecturers were and what was in the syllabus in a particular year.
Advice for First-Year Students
Keep an open mind
When you arrive at university you will probably have some idea of what your favourite areas of mathematics are. But as you progress, your preferences will undoubtedly change. So rather than deciding straight away that you don't like a certain topic, wait until you have taken some of your core modules. You will probably find that those modules are not quite what you expect it to be, and this will inform your choices for the later years.
Two strings to your bow
By choosing options systematically from a second subject, you can develop a sideline. For example, in Statistics, Business Studies, Economics, Computing, or Engineering. By doing this, you can come very close to following a joint degree, and, indeed, keep that option open. The following First-Year modules are those recommended by those departments listed in the example.
- Statistics: there is a dedicated page to outline progression through Statistics modules to keep your options as wide as possible.
- Computer Science: MA117 Programming for Scientists.
- Economics: EC106 Introduction to Economics.
- Warwick Business School: IB104 Mathematical Programming I.
- Philosophy: PH144 Mind and Reality, PH146 Reason, Argument and Analysis.
- Physics: PX155 Classical Mechanics and Special Relativity, PX157 Electricity and Magnetism, PX156 Quantum Phenomena.
Advice for Second-Year Students.
Several maths modules are now dual-coded between years 2 and 3. These modules are shown in the table below.
| Module | Year 2 version, at FHEQ Level 5 | Year 3 version, with additional assessment, at FHEQ Level 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Combinatorics | MA241 | MA341 |
| Geometry | MA243 | MA343 |
| Combinatorial Optimisation | MA252 | MA352 |
| Theory of ODEs | MA254 | MA354 |
| Introduction to Number Theory | MA257 | MA357 |
| Asymptotics and Integral Transforms | MA269 | MA369 |
These modules share the same lectures but the exams are usually different.
If you are considering taking any of these modules then you should consider when to take them. Some pointers:
- You may wish to take such a module in year 2, as an FHEQ Level 5 module, if it is a prerequisite for a module you are likely to take later or in year 3.
- You may wish to take such a module in year 3, as FHEQ Level 6 module, to help you to meet the requirement to take and pass at least 90 CATS of FHEQ Level 6 modules during year 3.
- You cannot take any of these dual-coded modules in Year 4.
Finally, if your first year results were rather disappointing, care in choosing modules may help to turn a third-class first-year performance into a second-class degree result. For example, if you are a G100 student, you could consider restricting your Maths to the Core/Optional Core/List A requirement (totalling to 75 CATS, see G100 Year 2 Specifications) and taking more outside options (possibly as Unusual Options). Modules from Social Studies and Humanities usually produce marks that cluster more in the second class, so you are more likely to get a respectable mark from such options. Business Studies, Education, Law and Politics offer module options in the second year without prerequisites.
Advice for Third and Fourth Year Students
- Study the module visualisation graphs (on the main module pages).
- Think carefully about taking modules with no exams (i.e. those that are "assignment only"). In these modules, very high scores (80+) are not always awarded, and marks tend to cluster in the second-class region. On the other hand, it is quite unusual for students to fail (unless they do not engage consistently during term time).
- It's crucial to spread your work strategically across the two terms.
- For finalists, as far as possible please avoid taking Undergraduate Level 2 modules from external departments. The exam boards for those modules often take place so late that we may not have your marks in time for you to graduate in the summer ceremony.
- In the third year, consider taking a third-year essay if you have a topic you'd like to work on but is not offered. However, you will need to find a willing supervisor, so being proactive is key.
- MA4 modules are considerably more challenging and have a pass mark of 50%.