Literacy and numeracy is what the inspectors care about.
Even if you're certain you don't want to pursue the subject academically however, a basic level of numeracy is invaluable.
A new certificate in "key skills" (such as literacy and numeracy) is being developed, which could fit the bill.
The assessment process requires applicants to express themselves in writing and numeracy is useful because they might be dealing with fluid balance charts and weight charts.
Most campaigns for numeracy focus on the fact that a functional level of numeracy is required to survive in our modern world.
In the digital age numeracy is a key skill and increasing the stock of the population that possess these skills is important.
And there's a massive OECD data set which shows that good numeracy is the best protection against unemployment, low wages and poor health – much more significant than literacy".
And it is vital that we all become numerate; international research from the OECD has shown that good numeracy is the best protection against unemployment, low wages and poor health," Ellicock said.
Nonetheless, he added, the skills gap, which is even bigger when numeracy is tested, was a puzzle given the stellar reputation of many UK universities, which draw disproportionate numbers of foreign students paying significant fees for the privilege.
The arrival can be dated from Branch Rickey's hiring of Allan Roth in 1947 to wield his pencil -- baseball numeracy is not a gift recently conferred by computers -- on behalf of the Brooklyn Dodgers.
"From managing everyday issues such as household budgets, opening a savings account or buying your first home," says Rebecca Langford, policy manager at the Money Advice Service, "numeracy is crucial throughout life".
