Economics and Mathematics

Economics and mathematics is a combination that equips you to think rigorously about some of the most consequential questions facing societies: how resources are allocated, how markets behave, why growth happens in some places and not others, and how policy can shift outcomes. Economics increasingly relies on sophisticated mathematical and statistical tools, and a degree that integrates both disciplines gives you a depth of analytical capability that goes well beyond what either subject offers alone.

This three-year full-time programme at the University of Essex develops your understanding of microeconomic and macroeconomic theory alongside substantial mathematical training. You will study calculus, linear algebra, statistics, and probability, and learn to apply these tools to economic problems ranging from market structure and strategic behaviour to labour markets, growth theory, and financial economics. The quantitative skills you develop are directly applicable in a wide range of professional settings, and the ability to build, interpret, and critically evaluate formal economic models is increasingly valued by employers in finance, consultancy, policy, and the private sector.

With a typical tariff of 104 points, the programme welcomes students who have strong mathematical ability and a genuine interest in understanding economic systems.

Essex has a strong international reputation in economics, with research that covers a wide range of theoretical and applied areas. The department's focus on rigorous, mathematically grounded analysis means you will graduate with skills that are recognised by employers and postgraduate programmes alike.

Graduates move into careers in economic analysis, finance, banking, data science, government and civil service, consultancy, actuarial science, and research. The combination of economic reasoning and mathematical proficiency is particularly valued in roles that involve working with large datasets, building models, or making quantitative judgements under uncertainty. Postgraduate study in economics, finance, statistics, or data science is a common next step for those who want to develop their expertise further.