Overview

Why study Economics and Maths?

Mathematics is a useful language in which the theories of economics may be developed in the most rigorous way, and it provides methodogical and statistical tools for the critical analysis of data; Economics offers many convenient examples to illustrate advances in mathematical theory and applications. This degree is aimed at students planning to do technical work, such as designing analytical economic models and drawing from them conclusions, predictions and policy recommendations.

Why study at York?

Economics and Mathematics are natually and effectively combined into this truly interdisciplinary degree.

You will have the opportunity to learn a broad range of mathematical ideas and structures, from pure mathematics, applied mathematics, statistics, numerical and computational mathematics, and mathematical finance, and the fundamental concepts and principles of economics and finance.

Economists use these tools to build models to describe and interpret real situations for relevant economics agents (individuals, firms, communities), and to predict future economic developments, and to recommend effective strategies or policies for these economics agents. You will have the opportunity to learn some of these models, and discuss the application in relevant economic situations and to current issues in economic policy.

The programme has flexibility in the choice of optional modules, allowing you to choose more Economics or more Maths modules, depending on your interests.

At York we place particular emphasis on small group teaching and a friendly atmosphere.  Our comprehensive tutorial system gives extensive support to first year students.

About 40 mathematicians and 50 economists are engaged in teaching, and are also active in developing the subject through leading international and interdisciplinary research.   Thus we are able to offer a wide range of final year options, which are taught and supervised by enthusiastic lecturers involved in the latest developments of their subject.

Transferable skills are developed during the entire degree programme.  Tutorials encourage logical and analytical thinking, and help develop your ability to read books and papers critically, and to write clearly and concisely.

Course content

First Year

You take two 30 credit modules that run during the entire teaching year:

•  Calculus MAT00001C (30 credits)
•  Core Algebra MAT00002C (30 credits)

Altogether you obtain 60 credits in Mathematics.

In the Economics Department you take

• Economics 1 ECO00001C (20 credits)
• Economic Policy ECO00002C (20 credits)
• Introduction to Statistical Theory ECO00006C (20 credits)

 Altogether you obtain 60 credits in Economics

Details of these modules can be found on the Economics Department website.

Second Year

In the Department of Mathematics you take Linear Algebra MAT00008I (20 credits) during the Spring/Summer Term.

In addition you choose 40 credits of optional modules from the 2nd year module tables. Altogether you obtain 60 credits in Mathematics.

In the Department of Economics you take the following over the entire year:

• Microeconomics 2 ECO00001I (20 credits)
• Marcoeconomics 2 ECO00002I (20 credits)

In addition you choose 20 credits of optional Economics modules from the table below

• Econometrics for Economists ECO00003I (20 credits), Autumn/Spring/Summer Term
• Financial Economics and Capital Markets ECO00004I (20 credits), Spring/Summer Term
• Development Economics ECO00006I (20 credits), Spring/Summer Term
• Origins of the British Industrial Revolution ECO00007I (20 credits), Spring/Summer Term
• Introduction to Accountancy ECO00008I (10 credits), Autumn Term
• Cost Benefit Analysis ECO00009I (10 credits), Autumn Term
• Dynamic Modelling ECO00012I (10 credits), Autumn Term
• Intro to Experimental Economics ECO00014I (10 credits), Autumn Term
• Economics of Population ECO00015I (10 credits), Spring/Summer  Term
• Commodity Markets ECO00017I (10 credits), Spring/Summer

Details of these modules can be found on the Economics Department website.  Altogether you obtain 60 credits in Economics 

Third year

You have one compulsory Economics 3 module (ECO00022H) worth a total of 40 credits. The remaining 80 credits of the year are made up from optional modules, of which at least 40 credits must be Mathematics modules. You may choose from most of the Mathematics modules in the 3rd year module table.

The optional Economics modules may be taken from the following list

• Applied Economics ECO00003H (20 credits), Autumn/Spring/Summer Term
• Economics of Social Policy ECO00004H (20 credits), Autumn/Spring/Summer Term
• Labour Economics ECO00005H (20 credits), Autumn/Spring/Summer Term
• Health Economics ECO00006H (20 credits), Autumn/Spring Term
• Mathematical Economics ECO00007H (20 credits), Autumn/Spring/Summer Term
• Industrial Economics ECO00008H (20 credits), Autumn/Spring Term
• International Economics ECO00009H (20 credits), Autumn/Spring/Summer Term
• Monetary Economics ECO00010H (20 credits), Autumn/Spring/Summer Term
• Alternative Perspectives in Economics ECO00011H (20 credits), Autumn/Spring/Summer Term
• Structure & Regulations of Financial Markets ECO00013H (20 credits), Autumn/Spring/Summer Term
• Economics Project ECO00016H (20 credits), Autumn/Spring/Summer Term – module begins in the Summer Term of your Second Year
• International Economic Growth and Development ECO00019H (20 credits), Spring/Summer Term
• Introduction to Time Series ECO00020H (10 credits), Autumn Term
• Financial Econometrics ECO00021H (10 credits), Spring/Summer Term

Details of these modules can be found on the Economics Department website.  Altogether you obtain 120 credits across both subjects

Teaching

Teaching

For most modules, lectures are the main mode of teaching.  In the first year there may be around 200 students in a lecture.  The crucial factor in any university programme is the small group teaching in support of these.

In your first year, your meet your tutor once a week for a small group tutorial, where there are between 8 and 10 students.  In these sessions you discuss the core Maths modules – usually this means reviewing any lecture material that is puzzling, discussing solutions to assignments, and developing your skills in understanding, creating and presenting mathematical arguments.  In addition, the tutorials are used to teach transferable skills, increasing your employability on graduation.

In the other first year modules, seminars, generally of around 20 students, meet throughout term-time. They examine, by discussion or exercises, topics related to the preceding lecture. Seminars are also a forum for the analysis of particular topics, and in Economics are often introduced by students presenting papers to the group.

Seminars continue through the second year, while in third year the lecture programmes are mostly in smaller groups and each has a weekly seminar or problem class.

Some modules have practical computer classes.

Modules have extensive material provided our VLE.  This may include lecture notes, solutions to assignments, past exam papers, and links to further reading.  In addition, each module has its own discussion forum, allowing students to ask questions about the module content. 

Around 20% of your time will be spent in scheduled teaching.  University maths is full of new concepts and requires more time spent assimilating these - more 'thinking time' - than school maths.  Therefore an important part of studying at university is independent study and practising problem sheets.  Of course, if you have any difficulties, lecturers are always available for informal consultation, and we maintain an atmosphere of approachability amongst our staff.

Assessment

Assessment

The majority of the modules are assessed by examinations, complemented by weekly or fortnightly homework so that you and the lecturers can assess your progress as you proceed through each module.  This allows you to practise the maths and gain valuable feedback before the formal assessment takes place. 

What kind of feedback will I get?

Lecturers provide feedback in a variety of forms, according to the needs of the specific module. It may consist of written feedback on work that you have handed in, in-class discussion of common problems on a particular assignment, model answers, or online responses to questions posted on the module discussion board.

Adjustments for students with disabilities

We do our best to accommodate reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities wherever possible. This may include extra time, rest breaks, or provision of a transcriber, amongst other things. These adjustments would be preceded by a formal assessment of needs.  Further information can be found on the Disability Services website.

Careers

Careers

Economics and maths graduates are in great demand by a wide range of employers, who value the skills developed over the course of the degree. The ability to communicate and solve complex problems and critically analyse information in a logical way are all much sought after from organisations in both the public and private sectors. While a number of economics and maths graduates choose to pursue careers in research and teaching, over 70% of our most recent graduates have gone on to a range of careers including:

• Banking and financial services
• Computing and IT 
• Law 
• Engineering 
• Accountancy and actuarial work 
• Media and creative
• Public administration 
• Logistics 
• Hospitality and sales 
• Telecommunications

Six months after graduation, 91% of University of York Maths graduates are employed or in further study. More information can be found at the University's careers pages where you can also see profiles of recent graduates

Applying

Applying

All applications must be made through UCAS.  We do not generally interview applicants before making an offer, but all those who are offered a place will be invited to a visit day between January and April. Here you will have an opportunity to meet our staff and students, including a one-to-one conversation with a member of academic staff.  This is an ideal opportunity to visit the campus, find out more information about studying mathematics, and ask any questions you may have. If you are interested in visiting York before applying, the University runs a number of Open Days throughout the year.

A-level requirements

• AAB in three A-levels including Mathematics with grade A.  You may not offer both Economics and Business Studies.

For the remainder of the offer the department accepts all (including vocational) A-level subjects, with the exception of Modern Foreign Languages taken by native speakers.

Other qualifications

Cambridge Pre-U: Pass with D3, D3, M2 in three Principal Subjects, including Mathematics.

International Baccalaureate: 35 points overall, including HL6 in Mathematics

Scottish Highers: AAAAB including A in Mathematics 

Irish Leaving Certificate: AAAABB including A1 in Mathematics

European Baccalaureate: 80% average overall, including 85% in Mathematics

English Language Qualifications

IELTS with 6.5 overall, and 6.0 in all units.

TOEFL (iBT) with 87,  with a minimum of 21 in each component  

GCSE English Language with grade C

Mature students

We welcome applications from suitably qualified 'mature' applicants (those aged 21 or over). Mathematics is not an easy subject to take up later in life, but it can be a rewarding one. However, if you want to read mathematics at York, then you will need to have studied mathematics at A-level or equivalent standard in the fairly recent past, because the first year courses all start from the presumption that you have this knowledge. This does not mean that we will necessarily insist on any particular formal qualifications as long as we are convinced that you are in a position to benefit from the course here. We normally interview all mature applicants before making a formal offer.