The British three year degree is being seen increasingly as part of a general rounded education, which should leave students numerate, articulate and employable. The four year degree should appeal most to those who intend to make direct use of their knowledge of mathematics and physics after they graduate. The Warwick joint degree is now among the best-established in the country. Each year around fifty students enter the course. The degree includes a number of courses from both contributing departments designed specifically for joint degree students.
Students can also develop interests by taking additional courses.
At the end of the first year it is usually possible to change to either of the single subject honours degrees provided that certain requirements in the end of year examinations are satisfied. In the second and third years there is considerable freedom to choose courses. By then most students have a good idea of their main interests and are well-placed to decide which areas of mathematics and physics to study in greater depth. In effect students design their own degree. Some courses may also be taken from outside of both Mathematics and Physics.