Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Mathematical Economics and Statistics (LG13)

By tightly integrating the study of economics and statistics, the BSc Mathematical Economics and Statistics programme meets the increasing demand from industry, the professions and public bodies for informed and talented graduates who can apply skill and imagination to real world problems.

Economics is important, it means passing on the University of Birmingham's state-of-the-art knowledge to the next generation as part of their responsibility to the profession and to students. The University of Birmingham's responsibility is to help teach students to communicate what they have learnt and how it can be applied - to prospective employers, to their parents, to all the people who benefit from the making of informed decisions. 

As a graduate, students will emerge with an excellent, professional training in economics allied with advanced technical and quantitative skills that they can readily apply to a host of social science concepts and problems. This programme emphasises developments in modern economic and social theory and takes account of the growth of mathematical and statistical tools in the analysis of economic and social problems.

An important feature of this programme is the rigorous grounding in mathematics and statistics in the first year, along with a good foundation in economics. There are also modules in study skills to equip students for university-level work, and practical information technology courses to enable them to use the excellent computer-based facilities.

Students build on their first year with compulsory modules in Economics and Quantitative Methods. Students are also introduced to econometrics – applying statistics to test and evaluate economic theories and policies. Students pursue their own developing tastes and preferences by choosing an optional module from a list that includes Economic Development and Environmental Economics.

In the third year, students take a core course in advanced econometrics along with specialised areas of applied economics. Most of this third year, however, is taken up with optional modules, in which students can branch out into a totally new area of study or develop their second-year options in greater depth. In this year, students also write an extended essay resulting from individual research.

As well as learning the detail of their subject, students will develop the all-round skills needed for a modern working world - critical thinking, problem solving, communication, and creativity. For many students this is a big transition, but they can be reassured that right across campus support and help is available if they need it.