Mathematics with Economics BSc

In this information age, graduates with strong maths skills and in-depth knowledge about economics, business and finance are in great demand.

From computer modelling that improves a company’s understanding of its market and customers to predicting how the economy may change over time, the ability to speak the international language of maths and analyse complex data puts you in a strong position as you begin your career. Our joint honours Mathematics with Economics course, delivered jointly by the maths group of the School of Engineering and Physical Science and Aston Business School, combines economics, finance and business oriented modules with applied maths modules.

What you’ll learn

Combining both core and specialised subjects, our programme prepares students for high-level careers in the private and public sectors.

In your first year, you’ll cover fundamental and advanced maths such as algebra, calculus and geometry alongside applied maths topics like statistics, machine learning and quantum computing. Our joint honours course enables you to choose a combination of maths and economics modules in your second and final years.

On this course, you’ll spend your third year in a paid professional placement of direct relevance to your studies. This placement will give you invaluable practical experience in a real work environment and will further enhance your career prospects.

Recent placements for mathematics students have included Warner Bros, where the student worked on data analysis about movie releases and a hospital trust where the student was working with an e-prescribing team, helping to improve efficiency for patients.

Time series

We’ll introduce you to the theory and practice of analysing and forecasting time series data during your final year. In computer labs and through coursework, you’ll get hands-on experience in the analysis and forecasting of real life economic or financial, physical and physiological time series.The module provides knowledge and practical skills for a career, or further studies, in data science. 

Financial mathematics and portfolio theory

If you choose this option in your final year you’ll gain career-defining knowledge in the mathematics of finance and investment portfolio construction that has traditionally served as the hidden key to lucrative professions in finance and related academic careers.
 

Modules

Year 1

In the first year of the course, students study fundamental Mathematics and Economics modules.

•    Fundamental Mathematics
•    Vector Algebra and Geometry
•    Probability and Statistics
•    Principles of Microeconomics
•    Probability Distributions
•    Ordinary Differential Equations
•    Numerical Algorithms and Programming
•    Principles of Macroeconomics

Year 2

The second year of Mathematics with Economics combines intermediate-level mathematics with intermediate-level economics and transferable skills modules. The core modules are:

•    Vector Calculus
•    Intermediate Microeconomics
•    Econometrics 1
•    Intermediate Macroeconomics
•    Mathematical Methods

At this stage, the students start specialising in different areas of Mathematics and Economics.

You will choose one module from each section:

Section A:

•    Linear Mathematics
•    Professional Practice
•    Introduction to Numerical Analysis

Section B:

•    Numerical Analysis
•    Machine Learning

Section C:

•    Econometrics 2
•    Markets, Games and Strategy

Year 3 - Placement year

Find out more about the Aston placement year.

For your placement year, you will choose one of the following:

•    EPS Study Placement Year 
•    EPS Industrial Placement Year 
•    EPS Study/Work Placement Year

Final Year 

At this stage, you will have two core modules:

•    Further Topics in Microeconomics
•    Further Topics in Macroeconomics

You will also choose 6 modules from the following options (and possibly year 2 options that had not been selected previously):

•    Approximation Theory
•    Mathematics Report
•    Mathematics Project
•    Chaos and Dynamical Systems
•    Stochastic Processes
•    Financial Mathematics and Portfolio Theory
•    Option Theory
•    Time Series
•    Network Science
•    Game Theory
•    Partial Differential Equations
•    Probabilistic Modelling
•    Quantum Computing
•    Microeconometrics
•    Macroeconometrics (Time Series)

Accreditation

Our course is accredited by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) and meets the educational requirements of Chartered Mathematician designation, which is subject to appropriate professional experience.
 

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year and Aston is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham, it’s also a great place to live.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability and our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Choosing to start your Aston journey with one of our foundation programmes will help you develop specialist knowledge to ensure that you are fully prepared to study your chosen undergraduate course. During your foundation year, you’ll have excellent support from academics and group projects will give you the chance to meet new people, make new friends and build a network of peers who will share your university journey. We also have a Learning Development Centre that can provide additional support and offer pre-sessional English language programmes. 

For International Students intending to do a foundation year, visit ONCAMPUS.

Typical offers:

A Levels

• ABB, to include A level Maths at minimum grade A
   
• BBB, to include A level Maths at minimum grade B (with an EPQ or Core Maths at grade B)
   
• BBC, to include A level Maths at minimum grade B (contextual offer applicants*)

*For details on our Aston Ready contextual offer scheme, please see here.

IB

32 overall points with 6, 5, 5 in Higher Level subjects including a minimum grade 6 in Higher Level Mathematics and a minimum grade 5 in Standard Level English. 

BTEC, Access & other

BTEC

• Extended Diploma and National Extended Diploma (any subject): DDM plus 1 A-Level in Mathematics at minimum grade A
   
• National Diploma and Diploma (any subject): DM plus 1 A-level in Mathematics at minimum Grade A
   
• Foundation or 90 credits Diploma (any subject): DM plus 2 A-levels grade AB including Mathematics at minimum grade A
   
• National Extended Certificate or Subsidiary Diploma (any subject): M plus 2 A-levels grade AB including Mathematics at minimum Grade A
   
• Certificate/ National Certificate Level 3: Not accepted
   
• The Level 3 Extended Diploma and Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering is not accepted, please see our foundation programme for an alternative route.

Access to Higher Education: 

Any subject accepted, to include 30 Distinctions and 15 merits at Level 3, including at least 15 credits at Level 3 in Mathematics at Distinction
 
Non-standard qualifications
 
Degree: 

• Year 1 entry: We may consider applicants for year 1 entry who are undertaking a 1st year degree elsewhere. You must meet the GCSE and A level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.
   
• Year 2 entry: Please note that second year transfers are not part of the standard admissions process and is up to the discretion of the admissions team and programme director. Applications are only considered if there is space on that year of the programme.
  Typically, applicants for second year entry must meet the GCSEs and A level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. Alongside this you must have gained (or be expected to gain) 65% overall and 120 credits on an equivalent programme at another recognised university. The equivalency of the programme is reviewed by the Admissions Tutor and you will be required to provide an official copy of the programme specification of this. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference.
   
• Year 3: We will not be able to consider any application for Year 3 

 

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and the whole application is reviewed which includes previous and predicted qualifications, any experience, references and motivation.

T Levels

T Levels are not currently accepted as an entry requirement for this course.

Students completing T levels in 2022
T levels in the following subjects are not accepted for entry to this course: Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction; Digital Production, Design and Development; Education and Childcare.  Please note that where a T level is listed as 'Not acceptable' this is because the T level does not cover subject specific knowledge that we normally require at A level.  If you have taken both a T level and an additional A level or A levels please consult the admissions team for advice in relation to any degrees where T levels are listed as 'not accepted.'

Students completing T levels in 2023 and beyond
There are now an additional T Level qualifications in: building services; engineering manufacturing, engineering for construction; digital business services; digital support and services; health; healthcare science; onsite construction and science. The first student cohorts from these subjects will complete their courses in the summer of 2023. We will publish details of the progression opportunities to our degree programmes from these T Levels by September 2022.

You may be able to access this course via our foundation programme route. 

GCSEs

Additionally to our Level 3 requirement, you will also need to have achieved:

GCSE Maths and English Grade C/4 or above. 

Our Admissions Policy

View our Admissions Policy

Whilst the grades listed here are our entry requirements, we understand that predicted grades are only an estimate. We will therefore consider applicants with predicted grades that fall below these entry requirements if the application is of a high standard (however, initial offers will not be lower than stated above).

Entry onto our Foundation Year maybe offered as an alternative to the degree course if lower entry grades are achieved.

*For details on our Aston Ready contextual offer scheme, please see here.

The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this course for the most commonly offered qualifications. Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire with the relevant admissions teams prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor.

International students

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification. Find out more about our English language requirements. For more information about qualifications view our Aston in your country webpage.

You will learn through a range of teaching methods and learning styles including lectures, seminars, small group discussions, lab exercises, practical classes, individual and group projects.

Assessment will be a combination of written exams, projects, reports, essays and coursework.

More information

Please note that the international tuition fees stated are for 2023 entry. 2024 tuition fees are presently unavailable and will be published on this website at the earliest opportunity.

* The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be charged the same tuition rates as Home students.
Further information can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/news/student-support-in-england

Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. When undertaking a placement year a placement year fee applies.

More information on fees

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs. Find out more about our scholarships here.

Our Mathematics with Economics course has been specifically designed, with industry input, to meet the huge demand for graduates with this combination of skills, mostly across the finance and information-intensive sectors.  
 
Recent graduates from this course have gone on to work in a range of roles including: Graduate Forensic Accountant, Acturial Analyst, Asset and Liabilities Management Analyst and Route Analyst. Potential employers include: Virgin Media, Accenture, Fujitsu, IBM and GCHQ. 
 
You may be employed in a wide range of businesses, from start-ups to big organisations. Alternatively, you may wish to continue your training with an MSc or PhD course, or pursue a teaching career. 

Why choose Mathematics with Economics at Aston University? 

Combining input from both Aston Business School and the School of Engineering and Applied Science, you’ll get a rounded learning experience, getting you ready for a career where your skills will be in high demand.  

What will I be doing on the Mathematics with Economics course at Aston? 

You’ll gain in-depth knowledge and experience across these two disciplines, providing you with the skills you need to begin an exciting career in finance or economics.  

Why is a placement year compulsory on this course?  

Aston University's four year courses offer the opportunity to spend your third year in a paid industrial placement. The value a placement adds is immense – you will grow in knowledge, experience, confidence and maturity, and gain organisational and time management skills. 

Why should international students choose Aston University? 

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 different countries chose to study with us every year and Aston is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham it’s also a great place to live. 

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career.  

Choosing to start your Aston journey with our foundation programme will help you develop specialist knowledge to ensure that you are fully prepared to study your chosen undergraduate course.