Department of Mathematics
Royal Holloway University Of London

Student Views

Olawaseun Adedayo, MSci Mathematics

Studying mathematics at Royal Holloway has been very fascinating and convenient for me over the past two years. There is a wide variety of courses that can be chosen to suit your interests and the career you aspire to. Virtually unlimited assistance is available from the experienced lecturers, to enhance the level of achievement at the end of the courses.

In addition to the high standard of the College's education, there are many societies and sports clubs which are always active. This gives students opportunities to practice and improve other skills they possess outside the lecture room. I have enjoyed playing football for the university since my first year.

Every single moment at Royal Holloway has been fantastic.

Helen Chapman, MSci Mathematics

I applied to six different universities which on paper looked essentially the same. It did not seem easy to choose between these, but when I first visited Royal Holloway it just felt right. You cannot deny the sheer beauty of the campus itself, a far cry from some of the other concrete jungles I had applied to. From the very beginning the maths department really demonstrated how supportive they are, treating each student as an individual. I've found there to be a huge amount of flexibility within the course, allowing me to tailor it to my particular strengths and interests. Since joining university I have also been actively involved with the Savoy Opera Society, being able to continue with my more creative hobbies. Although based in a relatively quiet town the campus boasts a bustling little community all of its own, and there is always plenty going on. Royal Holloway was definitely the best choice for me; I have never looked back and I cannot think of anywhere else I would rather be.

Paolo Giambrone, MSci Mathematics

To be honest, I try not to think about my time at Royal Holloway because I always end up thinking, 'I wish I was there again'. Not only did I have a lot of fun, but thanks to the great teaching skills of the Maths lecturers I have gone on to pursue a career as a City Trader. My Mathematics degree is a real asset to me as I often find myself referring back to my notes when trying to identify the reasoning behind the daily trading decisions I make.

What makes the Royal Holloway Maths Department so unique are the people that run it. They are friendly, approachable and no matter how busy they are, or how silly the question is, they are always willing to help. I hope everyone takes away as much as I have from my time at Royal Holloway. Good luck !!

Lan-Anh Bui, BSc Mathematics with Economics

The mathematics department at Royal Holloway is extremely supportive which makes it a brilliant learning environment. The staff are approachable and helpful no matter how minor the problem - they are always on hand to help. These qualities, along with the College's reputation, are what attracted me to Royal Holloway when deciding on my choice of university.

The Mathematics and Economics programme gave me the opportunity to pursue my interest in maths as well as introduce me to economics which I hadn't studied previously. Flexibility in the final year allowed me to pursue the areas that interested me but at the same time it was structured enough to ensure that I had a broad range of knowledge. The skills and knowledge I have gained have been invaluable, especially in my current position where they are being put into practice daily.

Tom Pierpoint, BSc Mathematics

Originally, I was going to defer entry to university and have a gap year, but due to a change of circumstances at home, my plan altered and it was a last minute decision to come to Royal Holloway.

My plans have always been either to pursue a career in the financial world, or become an entrepreneur and build my own business empire. Wherever my future takes me, a degree in Mathematics from the University of London will hold me in good stead for the future.

The mathematics department at Royal Holloway is really friendly. All the lecturers know everybody's name within a couple of weeks of the first term, and go out of their way to make themselves available to you if you have difficulties with the work set or other problems.

I have played for the men's football club for the duration of my time here, winning the league last season and reaching the final of the ULU Shield. I have been a presenter on the student radio station, 1287am Insanity, for around eight months now. This has proved to be a very enjoyable experience and an opportunity I never thought I'd have.

My time at Royal Holloway has been thoroughly rewarding and enjoyable.

Sarah Malt, BSc Mathematics and Psychology

Royal Holloway seemed like the perfect place for me because it provided all the benefits of London without the expense of living there. A visit to the campus confirmed my decision - the welcoming and friendly atmosphere really put me at ease.

When first considering university, I was looking predominantly at psychology courses but a visit to the Maths Department a Royal Holloway resulted in my also wanting to study mathematics. Rather than been faced with the impossible decision of which subject to choose, I was able to study both thanks to the joint degree programme. These two complementary topics have provided me with a huge number of skills, not all of which I could get from a single honours degree, and the extensive range of topics provided meant my degree was never dull.

The Maths Department at Royal Holloway is incredible. The staff are extremely friendly and passionate about what they do and they will always go out of their way to encourage and support the students.


Department of Mathematics, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX
Tel/Fax: +44 (0)1784 443093/430766