In order to be considered for an undergraduate degree at the School of Economics and Finance, you will need a Maths qualification.
Below we describe why this is the case and explain how Mathematics is useful for Economics. We will also briefly discuss the additional Maths support that we provide to our students.
During your first year of studying Economics at Queen Mary, you will cover core mathematical techniques in the first-year modules “Mathematical Methods for Economics and Finance” and “Statistical Methods”. These include topics such as differentiation, optimisation, matrices, regression analysis and probability theory. Some of these techniques you will have come across during A-Level maths for example, but at university you will cover them at a more advanced level. During the rest of your studies, the toolkit that you develop during the first year will be used in your core economic modules. This ranges from defining and developing economic theory (at both the Micro and the Macro level) and to test these theories through statistical analysis.
If you feel discouraged about the focus on maths during the first year of economic studies – don’t be. Economists do not study Maths just for the sake of it, but because it gives us a precise tool to study the world around us. There will be plenty of opportunity for you to develop your mathematical proficiency during your university studies. This includes weekly Maths and Statistics support classes that we offer our students and through our Peer Assisted Study Support scheme.