Program Overview

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How do individuals and organisations produce, consume and sell goods and services? How can a country or individual make better use of the resources it has? Economics is not only about stocks, shares, and financial markets; it relates to every aspect of our lives where there is a demand to produce and supply goods and services. Economics at Essex is a home for the tenacious and bold: we encourage you to ask difficult questions so you can work with us to break intellectual boundaries and pioneer new solutions to issues of global concern. Mathematics develops strong problem-solving skills that will complement the economics side of your course and allow you to understand the more complex elements of the subject. Our course gives you a thorough introduction to all aspects of economics and mathematics. You explore topics including:

• Micro and macroeconomics
• Qualitative and mathematical research methods
• Statistics
• Linear algebra
• Calculus

You examine the decisions of individuals, the strategies of firms and the policies of individuals to understand and challenge the standard rules of economics. Our Department of Mathematical Sciences is genuinely innovative and student-focused. Our research groups are working on a broad range of collaborative areas tackling real-world issues. Here are a few examples:

• Our data scientists carefully consider how not to lie, and how not to get lied to with data. Interpreting data correctly is especially important because much of our data science research is applied directly or indirectly to social policies, including health, care and education.
• We do practical research with financial data (for example, assessing the risk of collapse of the UK’s banking system) as well as theoretical research in financial instruments such as insurance policies or asset portfolios.
• We also research how physical processes develop in time and space. Applications of this range from modelling epilepsy to modelling electronic cables.
• Our optimisation experts work out how to do the same job with less resource, or how to do more with the same resource.
• Our pure maths group are currently working on two new funded projects entitled ‘Machine learning for recognising tangled 3D objects’ and ‘Searching for gems in the landscape of cyclically presented groups’.
• We also do research into mathematical education and use exciting technologies such as electroencephalography or eye tracking to measure exactly what a learner is feeling. Our research aims to encourage the implementation of ‘the four Cs’ of modern education, which are critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity.

Why we're great.

• We are 4th in UK for research power in economics and econometrics (Times Higher Education research power measure, Research Excellence Framework 2021)
• We are 18th in the UK for economics in the QS World University Rankings by subject 2023
• We give you diverse employment potential and the chance to meet future employers

Study abroad

Your education extends beyond the university campus. We support you in expanding your education through offering the opportunity to spend a year or a term studying abroad at one of our partner universities. The four-year version of our degree allows you to spend the third year abroad or employed on a placement abroad, while otherwise remaining identical to the three-year course. Studying abroad allows you to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised. If you spend a full year abroad you'll only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year. You won't pay any tuition fees to your host university.

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Placement year

Alternatively, you can spend your third year on a placement year with an external organisation, where you learn about a particular sector, company or job role, apply your academic knowledge in a practical working environment, and receive inspiration for future career pathways. If you complete a placement year you'll only pay 20% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year.

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Our expert staff

Study and work alongside some of the most prominent economists. Our researchers are at the forefront of their field and have even received MBEs. Many of our academic staff also provide consultancy services to businesses in London and other major financial centres, helping us to develop research for today's society as well as informing our teaching for the future. As well as being world-class academics, our mathematics staff are award-winning teachers. Many of our staff have won national or regional awards for lecturing, and many of them are qualified and accredited teachers – something which is very rare at a university. Our Department of Mathematical Sciences is committed to providing you with the academic support you need to succeed. Our flexible policy means some staff are always available, whilst others maintain regular drop-in times. Staff are always happy to arrange appointments for longer discussions, and no issue is too big or too small.

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Specialist facilities

Take advantage of our extensive learning resources to assist you in your studies:

• Extensive software for quantitative analysis is available in all computer labs across the university
• Join our lively Economics Society , an active and social group where you can explore your interest in your subject with other students
• In addition to teaching, we have a Maths Support Centre , which offers help to students on a range of mathematical problems. Throughout term-time, we can chat through mathematical problems either on a one-to-one or small group basis
• We have a dedicated social and study space for Maths students in the department, which is situated in the new £18m STEM Centre

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Your future

As a graduate of our BSc Economics with Mathematics you will have strong problem solving, data analysis and quantitative skills, which are valued highly by employers. In particular, you will find that you background in economics statistics and methods enhances your employability. Our students find themselves in demand from a wide range of employers in a host of occupations, including financial analysis, management, public administration and accountancy, as well as directly in roles using economic knowledge. Our recent graduates have gone on to work for a wide range of high-profile companies including:

• Bank of England
• Barlcays
• Citigroup
• Deloitte
• Ernst and Young
• Morgan Stanley
• Bank of New York
• Santander

We also work with the University’s Student Development Team to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities. “I found staff in my Department very helpful, and someone was always available to help. Since leaving Essex I have trained as accountant at A4G Accountants, and many of my modules help with my day-to-day understanding of the job. My time at Essex was the best three years of my life so far.” Kate McGarry, BSc Financial Economics, 2012