(BSc) Bachelor of Science
Economics with Mathematics (Including Placement Year)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Economics
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Economics
Mathematics, Statistics and Operational Research
BSC L1G3
08/05/2024
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
- A-levels: BBB - BBC or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels, including B in Mathematics or Further Mathematics. Please note we are unable to accept A-level Use of Mathematics in place of A-level Mathematics.
- BTEC: DDM - DMM or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels and only in conjunction with A-level Maths. The acceptability of BTECs is dependent on subject studied and optional units taken - email ugquery@essex.ac.uk for advice.
- Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A levels or equivalent. Tariff point offers may be made if you are taking a qualification, or mixture of qualifications, from the list on our undergraduate application information page.
- IB: 30 - 29 points or three Higher Level certificates with 555-554. Either must include 5 in Higher level Maths.
- IB Career-related Programme: We consider combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications. Advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
- QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 6 level 3 credits at Distinction and 39 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
- T-levels: We consider T-levels on a case-by-case basis, depending on subject studied. The offer for most courses is Distinction overall. Depending on the course applied for there may be additional requirements, which may include a specific grade in the Core.
Contextual Offers:
We are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an Essex education are supported to do so. For October 2024 entry, if you are a home fee paying student residing in the UK you may be eligible for a Contextual Offer of up to two A-level grades, or equivalent, below our standard conditional offer.
Factors we consider:
- Applicants from underrepresented groups
- Applicants progressing from University of Essex Schools Membership schools/colleges
- Applicants who attend a compulsory admissions interview
- Applicants who attend an Offer Holder Day at our Colchester or Southend campus
Our contextual offers policy outlines additional circumstances and eligibility criteria.
For further information about what a contextual offer may look like for your specific qualification profile, email ugquery@essex.ac.uk.
If you haven't got the grades you hoped for, have a non-traditional academic background, are a mature student, or have any questions about eligibility for your course, more information can be found on our undergraduate application information page or get in touch with our Undergraduate Admissions Team.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.
Details of English language requirements, including component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.
English language shelf-life
Most English language qualifications have a validity period of 5 years. The validity period of Pearson Test of English, TOEFL and CBSE or CISCE English is 2 years.
If you require a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
Pre-sessional English courses
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Pending English language qualifications
You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.
If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please email ugquery@essex.ac.uk
.
Requirements for second and final year entry
Different requirements apply for second and final year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK. Details of English language requirements, including UK Visas and Immigration minimum component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Dr Giancarlo Ianulardo
Lecturer in Economics
University of Exeter Business School
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
To provide students with an academic training in the principles of economics.
To equip students with the tools of quantitative methods needed to solve theoretical or applied economic problems.
To provide students with knowledge of mathematical ideas underlying the quantitative methods of economics.
To foster in students an appreciation of the appropriate level of abstraction and simplification needed to explore a range of economic issues.
To encourage in students the acquisition of autonomous study skills and the adoption of an investigative approach to tackle economic problems.
To develop in students the ability to construct logical arguments, to communicate arguments clearly in writing, and to appreciate, evaluate and respond to potentially conflicting interpretations of economic phenomena.
To allow students, through the study of economics, to acquire critical, analytical and research skills, problem-solving skills, and transferable skills.
To provide students with a foundation for further studies in economics and allied disciplines.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Knowledge of the fundamental principles of economics, including microeconomics and macroeconomics.
A2: Understanding of the application of economic reasoning to the study of relevant problems and policies.
A3: Understanding of the mathematical methods needed to articulate economic theories.
A4: Awareness of the sources of economic information and/or knowledge and understanding of sources available for historical research.
A5: Knowledge of econometric methods and an awareness of how they are applied in the analysis and evaluation of economic issues.
A6: Familiarity with mathematical techniques that serve to underpin economic theory.
A7: An experience-based understanding of work roles
Learning methods
Lectures are the principal method of delivery for the principles, concepts and arguments in A1-A6.
Students are also assigned readings from textbooks, academic journal papers, unpublished research papers and on-line resources.
Students' understanding is reinforced by classes, especially for outcomes A1, A2, A3, A5, A6.
Laboratory sessions are provided to support learning of econometric methods (A5).
Individual supervision of the final year project provides additional support especially for outcome A4, and reinforces A2, A3, A5.
The industrial placement will enable students to achieve A7
Assessment methods
Achievement of knowledge and understanding is assessed through marked assignments (A1, A2), tests (A1, A2, A3, A5), term papers (A1, A2, A4), project work (A1-A5) and unseen closed-book examinations (A1, A2, A3, A5, A6).
Learning outcomes A2, A4 are assessed by tests and unseen closed-book examinations.
Learning outcome A4 is assessed especially via term papers (in second year and final year economics courses) and the final year project.
Learning outcome A7 is assessed via a portfolio.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Analyse a specified problem and choose the most suitable methods for its solution.
B2: Assess the relative merits of a range of theories, techniques and tools needed to articulate arguments and policies.
B3: Synthesise and interpret information from a range of sources (lectures, classes, journals, books, etc.) developing a critical evaluation of the importance and relevance of the sources to an area of study.
B4: Construct reasoned, informed and concise descriptions and assessments of economic ideas.
B5: A capacity to connect subject-specific theory to practice in a work environment
Learning methods
Students' acquisition of intellectual and cognitive skills, B1-B4, is enabled primarily through lectures and further sustained via classes.
Outcome B1 is developed particularly in exercises designed for core economic theory, mathematical methods and quantitative methods classes.
Outcomes B2, B3 and B4 are key elements in students' preparation for assignments.
Individual project supervision and guidance for term paper study are especially important in providing opportunities for students to acquire B2, B3 and B4.
The industrial placement will enable students to achieve B5.
Assessment methods
Achievement of intellectual/cognitive skills is assessed through marked assignments (especially B1 and B3), tests (especially B1), term papers (especially B2, B3, B4), project work (especially B2, B3 and B4) and unseen closed-book examinations (especially B1, B2 and B4).
Skill B5 is assessed via the placement year portfolio.
C: Practical skills
C1: Identify, select and gather information, using the relevant sources.
C2: Organise ideas in a systematic way.
C3: Present economic and/or historical ideas and arguments coherently in writing.
C4: Use and apply economic terminology and concepts
C5: Communicate with a range of colleagues and clients in a working environment
Learning methods
Skill C1 is developed via directed reading from textbooks and academic journal articles together with searches for online materials.
Skill C2 is acquired during lectures and classes, and as a consequence of studying course materials.
Skill C3 is articulated in the preparation of assignments and term papers.
Skill C4 is developed in classes and is emphasised in the preparation of assignments, term papers and projects.
Skill C5 is developed in the industrial placement.
Assessment methods
Achievement of practical skills C1, C3 and C4 is assessed directly through marked assignments, tests, term papers, project work and unseen closed-book examinations.
Skill C2 is assessed indirectly via assignments, term papers, projects and final examinations.
Skill C5 is assessed via a portfolio.
D: Key skills
D1: Communication in writing, using appropriate terminology and technical language:
(a) the articulation of economic theories,
(b) the description of economic evidence,
(c) the critical assessment of economic arguments and policies
D2: Not assessed in this programme.
D3: Understanding of quantitative methods, an awareness of the contexts in which the methods are relevant and a knowledge of how they are applied in practice to analyse economic data.
D4: Understanding of how mathematical and economic reasoning is used to address problems involving opportunity cost, incentives, households' and firms' decision-making, strategic thinking, expectations and market outcomes in equilibrium and disequilibrium.
D5: Not assessed in this programme.
D6: Capacity to:
(a) organise and implement a plan of independent study;
(b) reflect on his or her own learning experience and adapt in response to feedback; and
(c) recognise when he or she needs to learn more and appreciate the role of additional research
D7: Capacity to work in a team within a work environment
D108: Improve personal professional practice through a reflective approach within a work environment.
Learning methods
Students are guided in lectures, classes and individual advice from teachers in acquiring skills D1, D3, D4, D6.
Skills D3 and D4 are reinforced through the quantitative methods sequence of courses at the elementary and intermediate levels, together with courses in theoretical and applied economics and in mathematics.
Skill D6 is enhanced as students reflect upon the knowledge they need when researching term papers and their final year projects.
Only minimal formally assessed requirements for the completion of the programme are listed here.
In reality, the overwhelming majority of economics students acquire a much broader range of key skills, and at greater depth, in ways that are integrated seamlessly throughout their studies of the subject.
Skills D7 and D8 are developed in the industrial placement
Assessment methods
Skills D1 and D4 are assessed through marked assignments, tests, term papers, projects and unseen closed-book examinations.
Skill D3 is assessed particularly through tests and unseen closed-book examinations.
Skill D6 is assessed indirectly through students' capacity to construct submitted work (assignments, term papers and projects for which feedback is given) and their study plans for unseen tests and examinations.
Skills D7 and D8 are assessed via a portfolio.