Mathematics and Economics BSc Honours

Course overview

As well as pure and applied mathematics, you learn probability and statistical techniques that help you understand economics theories and address economic problems.

In Economics you explore topics relating to Britain, Europe and the rest of the world, including:

• economic analysis and applications
• global economics
• micro- and macro-economics

In Mathematics you develop a thorough grounding in topics and techniques such as:

• differential equations
• probability
• statistics

This joint honours degree benefits from teaching from both Newcastle University Business School and our School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics, making sure you get expert tuition in both topics. 

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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Featured module

MAS1607: Multivariable Calculus and Differential Equations

Develop an understanding of ordinary differential equations and introduce the calculus of functions of several variables.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

We'll introduce you to the main economics issues that confront the British and European economies and help you to develop the skills needed for economic analysis. Alongside these modules, you'll study core topics in mathematics and statistics, including mathematical methods; analytic geometry and the foundations of differential equations; and modelling with differential equations.

We'll also introduce you to probability and statistics.

You'll develop your communication and study skills by working in small group tutorials to complete a guided research investigation in business.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Economic Analysis	30
Economic Applications	10
Introduction to Calculus	20
Introductory Algebra	20
Multivariable Calculus & Differential Equations	20
Introduction to Probability & R	20

You'll explore the theory behind demand and supply curves, and short-, medium- and long-run economic frameworks, through modules in micro- and macroeconomics. You may also choose linear modules as an optional module to focus on your career development.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Microeconomic Analysis	30
Macroeconomic Analysis	30

Optional Modules	Credits
Linear Algebra	10
Complex Analysis	10
Algebra	10
Groups and Discrete Mathematics	10
Fluid Dynamics	10
Scientific Computation with Python	10
Introduction to Statistical Inference	10
Introduction to Bayesian methods	10
Computational Probability and Statistics with R	10

A wide range of optional economics modules will enable you to explore a broad variety of topics closely linked to ongoing research. These currently include advanced micro- and macroeconomics, monetary economics and financial economics. You may also choose linear models as an optional module to focus on your career development.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Advanced Microeconomics	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Advanced Macroeconomics	20
Labour Economics	20
Monetary Economics	10
Financial Economics	10
Game Theory	10
Foundations of group theory	10
Linear analysis	10
Matrix analysis	10
Topology	10
Number Theory and Cryptography	20
Groups, Graphs and Symmetry	10
Representation theory	10
Curves and Surfaces	10
Methods for Differential Equations	10
Quantum Mechanics	10
Advanced Fluid Dynamics	10
Relativity	10
Partial Differential Equations	10
Instabilities	10
Variational Methods and Lagrangian Dynamics	10
Mathematical Biology	10
Bayesian Inference	10
Linear Models	10
Stochastic Financial Modelling	10
Statistical Inference	10
Generalized Linear Models	10
Big Data Analytics	10
Stochastic Processes	10
Topics in Statistical Modelling A	20
Career Development for final year students	20

Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They are based on the modules chosen by our students in 2022-23.

Teaching time is made up of:

• scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present.
• structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

Our degrees are taught through a combination of lectures, problem classes, tutorials, practical computer classes, computer-based assessments, and data collection and analysis.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Assignments – written or fieldwork

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

Skills and experience

Business skills

Mastering two subjects together means you are well-prepared for the multidisciplinary challenges of the real world, developing the skills that employers value, such as:

• time management
• organisation
• self-motivation

You'll receive careers support in the form of a career development module personally tailored to your professional development.

Opportunities

Study abroad

Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.

You can choose to spend up to a year studying at a partner institution overseas. Our overseas partner institutions include:

• Universiteit Leiden, in The Netherlands
• L-Universta ta' Malta, in Malta
• Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, in Barcelona
• Technisches Universitat Munchen, Munich

There are also lots of options in North America, Australia and Asia, including:

• Buffalo (New York State)
• McGill (Montreal)
• University of New South Wales (Sydney)
• Hong Kong
• Singapore

During your time studying abroad, you will select from a range of modules offered by your host university. Alongside taking some subject-relevant modules, you will be given greater flexibility to choose modules from different disciplines (eg Languages, Business)

If you choose to study abroad, it will extend your degree by a year.

A full year not for you? No problem - there are usually lots of short-term student mobility experiences to take part in. This includes field trips and student conferences.

Find out more about study abroad

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year.  Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements.

Facilities and environment

Facilities

You'll have access to the facilities of both the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics based in the Herschel Building, and Newcastle University Business School, based in our state-of-the-art building within the Newcastle Helix development – Newcastle's emerging business district.

A state-of-the-art learning environment will support your studies and you'll have access to extensive IT facilities for teaching and self-study, including:

• computer-based exercises with instant review of model solutions
• problem-solving video tutorials
• recording system for video capture of lectures, which you can download and watch again to help with your revision

Support

To support you in your studies, all new students entering year 1 or year 2 will receive a tablet. You can download the online learning resources you'll need for your course (helping us to make our campus more sustainable).

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues. There is a transition officer specifically to help your transition from school/college to university life.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.

You'll also benefit from our:

• induction programme, including social events, to help you settle in quickly
• activities and events run by our student-run society, MathSoc
• homework classes to help with assignments

Your future

Employers look favourably on students who can demonstrate their abilities in more than one field. As a graduate of Mathematics and Economics you'll have acquired the ability to research, evaluate and communicate information, alongside developing specialist subject knowledge, practical and technical skills.

You'll have a range of educational and career opportunities, especially if the skills you have developed during your degree have been further enhanced by work experience.

In the past, our graduates have entered careers in the business and financial sectors or specialised further in their area of expertise such as accountancy and psychology. Graduates who wish to pursue a career in teaching will find that they are suitably qualified to study for a PGCE in either discipline. Those graduates who enter employment outside their discipline find a flexible degree of this nature is highly valued in professions such as management, commerce and the civil service.

Benefit from strong industry links

You'll also benefit from our well-established links with organisations within the industry. Through research or placements we work with companies such as:

• Nissan
• Northern Gas networks
• Office for National Statistics
• Centre for Life
• Met Office
• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
• Drager Safety
• Enzen Global
• PTV Group
• USGS

Make a difference

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Careers support

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

Qualification: BSc Honours
Home students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (per year) 9250
International students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (per year) 22800

Home Fee Students

The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying students is set by the UK government.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

International Fee Students

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our undergraduate scholarship page for more information.

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

• different tuition fees
• additional costs

Scholarships

Find out more about:

• scholarships for UK, EU and international students
• Student Loans and Government financial support for UK and EU students

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

• the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
• the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
• the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages