Question 1

How do I choose a university mathematics course?

Accepted Answer

Mathematics courses vary significantly in the subjects they offer, so make sure you check the course structure or outline closely, to see if it’s what you’re looking for. To choose a maths course that’s right for you, think carefully about your strengths and areas of interest, as well as your career aspirations.

Through Open Universities Australia, you have several options. You can take a single undergraduate-level subject or short course to brush up on a specific area, like calculus. Or you can build on your existing mathematics knowledge with a postgraduate course, such as a masters degree in data science or quantitative biology.

If you need help deciding, get in touch with a student advisor who can talk you through the pros and cons of different courses. Whatever your aspirations, there will be a mathematics course to suit.

Question 2

What do you learn in a maths course?

Accepted Answer

The topics you study will depend on the level and scope of the maths course you choose. You can opt for a mathematics basics course to brush up on the numeracy skills you need to study at university.

Or you can specialise in a branch of mathematics such as:

Calculus
Algebra
Statistics
Data science
Quantitative biology

A postgraduate course will build upon your existing maths or science knowledge and expand your career possibilities. If you choose a data science course, you’ll learn a mixture of mathematics, statistics and computer science, and gain valuable skills that can be applied in a data science role. You may also cover things like the ethical issues surrounding how data is gathered, stored, and utilised. Meanwhile in quantitative biology, you’ll learn how to use programming, statistics and mathematics to solve complex biological problems.

Question 3

Why should I study maths?

Accepted Answer

Studying maths is highly rewarding. If you love problem solving and challenging yourself, it’s an ideal discipline. Research shows that doing maths can significantly strengthen various regions of your brain.

The kind of analytic skills you’ll learn in your mathematics course are also highly desired by employers, in a whole range of industries. In fact, you’ll find a maths background can help you out in areas as diverse as finance, business, communications, engineering and tech.

Another rather beautiful aspect of maths, compared to other disciplines, is that it’s a universal language, understood in every country. So, if you want to travel throughout your career, this could be a great reason get number crunching.

Question 4

Why should I study maths online?

Accepted Answer

An online mathematics course can be a great option if you’re time poor or need to complete your course from a location that suits you. Studying mathematics online means that you’ll be able to upskill around your home and work life, or easily supplement existing study if you’re having a tough time with maths and want to brush up on your skills.

Question 5

What jobs can you get with a mathematics course?

Accepted Answer

A degree in mathematics will open up a huge range of career paths. With the advanced problem-solving abilities you’ll develop, you may find a role in:

Logistics
Banking and finance
Engineering
Information security
Data science
Management
Primary or secondary teaching
Games design

If you study a specific postgraduate course that builds upon your undergraduate maths knowledge, you’ll be able to land more specific roles, in an area such as quantitative biology.

Question 6

How do I know if I’m eligible to apply for a course?

Accepted Answer

Before starting an enrolment, it’s important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you’re eligible to apply. If you don’t quite meet the requirements, we may be able to help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study.

Chat with us to find out more.

Question 7

How do I enrol?

Accepted Answer

Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.

When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.

Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.

Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.

For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.

Mathematics courses

Introduction to Mathematics