MA Economics and Mathematics

Year 1

You will study:

• Economics 1
• Introduction to Linear Algebra
• Calculus and its Applications
• Proofs and Problem Solving

You will also take one option course.

The School of Mathematics offers the optional course, Introduction to Data Science where you will learn to collect and explore data, before using models and predictions in order to make rigorous conclusions.

In addition these courses, some students will also take our online course, Fundamentals of Algebra and Calculus. This introductory course provides extra preparation in key topics from advanced mathematics.

Year 2

You will study:

• Economics 2
• Statistics (Year 2)
• Several Variable Calculus and Differential Equations
• Fundamentals of Pure Mathematics
• Probability

You will also take one option course from economics or mathematics.

Each of the mathematics honours courses contains a skills component, enabling you to develop valuable employability skills such as programming, group work and presentation skills through the curriculum.

Year 3

You will study:

• Topics in Microeconomics
• Essentials of Econometrics
• Honours Differential Equations or Honours Analysis
• Either Applications of Econometrics or Topics in Macroeconomics
• Either Honours Complex Variables or Honours Algebra

You will also take one honours option course from economics or mathematics.

Each of the mathematics honours courses contains a skills component, enabling you to develop valuable employability skills such as programming, group work and presentation skills through the curriculum.

Year 4

Economics honours dissertation or a project in mathematics (double); two economics honours option courses and two mathematics honours option courses.

You will have a wide range of mathematics courses to choose from. Our course selection is influenced by our varied research interests in the School and as a result we offer a large selection of courses in pure and applied mathematics, statistics, operational research, financial mathematics, mathematical biology and mathematical education. You will be able to follow a programme that suits your particular interests and career aspirations.

Current courses include General Topology, Symmetry and Geometry, Stochastic Modelling and Entrepreneurship in the Mathematical Sciences.

Our facilities

For economics courses, teaching takes place in the Central Area.

In Year 1, mathematics classes typically take place in the University's Central Area. In subsequent years, mathematics teaching will take place at the King's Buildings campus. This may result in a need to travel between campuses for teaching.

You will have access to all the University’s libraries and computer labs. In addition this, you will also have access to the MathsBase (for Year 1 mathematics students) in the Central Area and MathsHub (for Year 2+ students) at King’s Buildings.

Study abroad

The School of Economics exchange programme offers opportunities to study in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, USA, Canada, Argentina, Mexico and within Europe.

What are my options for going abroad?

How will I learn?

Courses are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops and web-based learning.

Year 1 mathematics lectures are usually interactive; lecturers use online voting systems and encourage small group discussion to improve your understanding of core material. Lectures in later years follow a more 'traditional' lecturing style, but do occasionally incorporate the voting system.

Mathematics lectures are also supported by workshops, our small-group teaching sessions. These sessions are to give you an opportunity to practise applying the concepts learnt in lectures, and develop your understanding further. You will work with 5-6 other students, and a tutor will be on hand to answer questions and support you.

The Economics Help Desk offers students help and support throughout their programme. The peer assisted learning scheme, EconPALS, aims to help first year students develop their learning and study strategies.

We encourage students to work collaboratively outside of lectures also, and provide spaces such as the MathsBase for first years (Central Area) and the MathsHub (King's Buildings) to enable this. First year students also be able to make use of our drop-in tutor sessions hosted in the MathsBase.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed by exams and coursework, including problems sets, essays, and project reports, and presentations. In Year 4 you will complete an honours dissertation.

The majority of mathematics courses are assessed by examinations, although there are a small number of courses offered which are entirely assessed by coursework.

Programme details

Find out more about this programme's aims, what you will learn, how you will be assessed and what skills and knowledge you will develop.

To give you an idea of what to expect from this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme details (2020/21)

Our graduates are highly regarded by employers.

The skills you develop will equip you for careers in accountancy, business, management and consultancy, or for work in aid agencies, not-for-profit organisations or government departments.

Many graduates have entered the finance sector and some large financial firms actively recruit Edinburgh graduates.

There are many opportunities within the University for you to develop your skills and enhance your CV. You can become a Student Ambassador to enthuse prospective students; work with the wider community as a member of the Mathematics Outreach Team; or apply for a project scholarship to work with a university lecturer during the summer.

The School of Mathematics regularly invites alumni back to the School to share their experiences with students and to showcase the breadth of careers available to graduates with a maths background.

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: AAAAA-AAAA (achievement by end of S5 preferred). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S5.
• A Levels: A*AA – A*BB.
• IB: 43 points with 776 at HL - 39 points with 666 at HL.

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: AABB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S5.
• A Levels: A*BB.
• IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: Highers: Mathematics at A or Advanced Higher Mathematics at B. Sixth-year work in Mathematics is recommended. National 5s: English at C.
• A Levels: Mathematics at A*. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
• IB: HL: Mathematics (from 2021, Mathematics: Analysis and approaches only) at 6. SL: English at 5.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 at C
• SQA Standard Grade at 3
• SQA Intermediate 1 at A
• SQA Intermediate 2 at C
• GCSE/IGSCE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate Grade C
• IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified*:

• IELTS Academic module overall 6.5 with 5.5 in each component.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Special Home Edition) 92 or above with 20 in each section. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components.

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

English language qualifications must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the degree you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

English language requirements

*(Revised 27 April 2020 to include TOEFL-iBT Special Home Edition.)

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for MA Economics and Mathematics

Additional costs

Textbooks are required, which cost about £100.

Funding

For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.

Fees and funding

• Enquiry Management Team
• Email: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk