This combined programme complements the basic grounding in mathematical techniques provided within Economics, with a more thorough and rigorous development of mathematical principles.
Economics and Mathematics MA (Hons)
Level: Undergraduate
Subject: Economics
Year of entry: 2026
Key facts
UCAS Code
LG11
Award
MA (Hons)
Duration of study
4 years
Delivery
Full-time
Study location
Multiple campuses
Start date
September 2026
School
Study abroad
Available
Placement
No
About the degree programme
How long it takes to complete this degree programme
This programme is studied over 4 years.
A key benefit to studying a 4-year degree programme is that you have the flexibility to study a range of subjects, outside your chosen degree programme, in Year 1 and Year 2.
This allows you the opportunity to study other courses that interest you or enhance your degree. By the end of Year 2, you can decide which of these subject areas you want to focus on in the honours years of your programme.
How a joint degree programme works
A joint programme allows you to gain a well-rounded learning experience. You will have more exposure to different disciplines, allowing you to expand your knowledge and expertise.
Teaching on joint programmes is split across the two subject areas, and teaching will take place in locations associated with both subjects.
You will gain a different perspective through studying more than one subject and have a wider skill set that is highly attractive to future employers.
Programme rankings
- Ranked in the UK's top 10 universities for economics in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
- 5th in the UK for Mathematics and Statistics (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 by Subject)
- 5th in the UK for Mathematics in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
Programme benefits
- Our economics staff make up one of the leading groups of economic theorists in Europe. We are the base for the Scottish Graduate Programme in Economics.
- The School of Economics receives consistently high ratings for academic standards, teaching and learning resources.
- You will join a vibrant learning community home to active and engaged student societies like the Economics Society and the Edinburgh University Trading and Investment Club.
- Mathematics teaching at Edinburgh fosters interactive engagement that promotes long-term understanding. Teaching is enhanced by technology, including voting systems and online quizzes, and we actively encourage collaborative learning.
- Employability skills are embedded in the curriculum.
- The School of Mathematics has expertise in a variety of research areas, allowing you to tailor your degree to your area of mathematical interest.
Tuition fees for MA (Hons) Economics and Mathematics
View the tuition fees for one academic year of MA (Hons) Economics and Mathematics.
Additional costs
Textbooks are required, which cost about £100.
Accommodation and living costs
You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.
We estimate that a single student can potentially spend a maximum of £920 to £2,257 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.
This estimate covers the costs of:
- accommodation
- food
- utility bills
- travel within Edinburgh
- health and wellbeing costs
Scholarships and funding
Funding information
You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section.
What you will study
You will study:
- Economics 1
- Introduction to Mathematics at University
- Introduction to Mathematical Analysis
- Linear Algebra 1
These courses are designed to build on your knowledge of mathematics from school, introducing you to more rigorous ways of mathematical thinking required at university level. They cover a wide range of mathematics, including some applications of mathematics, so you can make informed choices at honours level.
You will also take one option course.
We offer optional mathematics courses, for example:
- Introduction to Data Science where you will learn to collect and explore data, before using models and predictions to make rigorous conclusions.
- Fundamentals of Algebra and Calculus, an online introductory course that provides extra preparation in key topics from advanced high school level mathematics and further supports your transition to university.
Courses may be subject to change.
In Year 2, you will take a number of compulsory mathematics courses that will extend your knowledge of analysis and calculus and generalize what you have seen in linear algebra. They also introduce you to probability and statistics.
- Economics 2
- Linear Algebra 2
- Elementary Probability and Statistics
- Further Analysis and Several Variable Calculus
You will also take one optional course.
You will study:
- Topics in Microeconomics
- Essentials of Econometrics
You will select one honours course from the following two:
- Applications of Econometrics
- Topics in Macroeconomics
You will also take two mathematics honours courses from the following list:
- Algebra
- Analysis
- Complex Variables
- Differential Equations
In addition to these courses, you will take further optional courses from either economics or mathematics.
You will undertake:
- an economics honours dissertation or a project in mathematics (double)
- two economics honours option courses
- two mathematics option courses
Optional courses are informed by the various research interests in the schools.
Study abroad
The School of Economics exchange programme offers opportunities to study in:
- USA
- Europe
The University's exchange programmes are spread all over the world.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching
Courses are taught through a combination of:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- workshops
- web-based learning
Mathematics teaching
Lectures
In Year 1, lectures are usually interactive. Lecturers use online voting systems and encourage small-group discussions to improve your understanding of core material.
These lectures are linked to your subject reading, so you will be familiar with the content before you attend.
Lectures in later years follow a more 'traditional' lecturing style but occasionally include the voting system or other innovative teaching methods.
Workshops
Lectures are supported by small-group workshops. These sessions give you the opportunity to apply the concepts you have learned in lectures, and to develop your understanding.
You will work with five to six other students, with a tutor on hand to support you and answer questions.
Interactive Learning
Our teaching fosters interactive engagement that promotes long-term understanding. Teaching is enhanced by technology, including voting systems and online quizzes, and we actively encourage collaborative learning.
Assessment
You will be assessed by exams and coursework, including:
- problem sets
- essays
- project reports
- presentations
In Year 4 you will complete an honours dissertation.
Mathematics assessments
Mathematics courses are mostly assessed through exams. In your first and second year these exams are primarily 'open book' exams, where you can use your textbook and notes. This allows you to concentrate on understanding and using the ideas and concepts involved, rather than memorising procedures.
In later years there is a mixture of open and closed book exams, depending on the course.
Most mathematics courses have regular assessments throughout the year, both written and online, so you can get feedback on your progress. These typically count for a small part of your course grade.
Later in the degree there are some courses available which are entirely assessed by coursework. This is usually in the form of:
- reports
- posters
- projects
- presentations
Support for your studies
You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.
We will assign you to a school adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.
Peer-Assisted Learning Scheme (PALS)
The peer-assisted learning scheme aims to help first-year students transition into higher education, develop their learning and study strategies as well as to provide opportunities to socialise.
School of Mathematics Support
You will also have access to broad-ranging support within the School of Mathematics, including:
- drop-in Year 1 mathematics support
- option to take part in our peer-assisted learning scheme, MathPALS
- Mathematics Student Services team
- Student Development team
Our academic staff
The School of Mathematics has expertise in a variety of research areas, allowing you to tailor your degree to your area of mathematical interest. To find out more about our research and its applications, take a look at our Researchers on Record video series.
Where you will study
Study location
It is worth noting that these two subjects are based on different campuses. You will likely need to travel between campuses for classes.
For economics courses, teaching takes place in the Central Area.
The School of Mathematics is based in the James Clerk Maxwell Building at the King's Buildings campus. Your mathematics teaching will take place at the King's Buildings campus throughout your degree.
Academic facilities
Mathematics facilities
Undergraduate students in the School of Mathematics have access to dedicated study spaces, MathsBase and MathsHub.
MathsBase is a drop-in study space staffed by tutors on weekdays during the semester.
MathsHub is a suite of rooms in the James Clerk Maxwell Building for the sole use of undergraduate mathematicians as a study space.
Career paths
The programme provides an excellent background if you want to pursue a relatively technical career in an area such as:
- finance
- insurance (including actuarial work)
It is also suitable if you would like to proceed to graduate study of economics.
Our graduates are highly regarded by employers. Studying a joint honours degree enables you to develop a wider range of transferable skills. It also opens up more varied employment opportunities.
Many of our graduates have entered the finance sector. Some large financial firms actively recruit Edinburgh graduates.
The skills you will develop through the study of both subjects will equip you for a broad range of careers, including but not limited to:
- accountancy
- business
- management and consultancy
- working for aid agencies
- not-for-profit organisations and government departments
- software engineering
- logistics
- education
Development opportunities
There are many opportunities within the University for you to develop additional skills and enhance your CV. You can:
- become a Student Ambassador to enthuse prospective students
- work with the wider community as a member of the Mathematics Outreach Team
- apply for a mathematics project scholarship to work with a University lecturer during the summer
Employability support
The School of Mathematics regularly invites alumni back to the school to share their experiences with students and to showcase the varied careers available to graduates with a maths background.
Working in partnership with the Careers Service, academics, alumni and the business community, the Student Development Team provides activities, events and resources focused on developing skills, engaging with opportunities and building networks:
- applications support (for example CV writing, interview preparation, how to network)
- specific career advice (for example Insights into Actuarial careers, how to apply for PhDs)
- interactions with recruiting organisations & alumni (for example annual Careers Showcase and presentations with employers)
Careers Service
Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals.
The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies.
With the Careers Service, you can:
- access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
- try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
- get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
- attend careers events and practice interviews
- get information and advice to help you make informed decisions
Further study
Further study is also a popular option. You can progress from this programme into masters or PhD level study in economics or mathematics, or apply your mathematical training to postgraduate study in another subject.
How to apply
You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.
What you need to apply
As part of your application, you will need:
- your academic qualifications
- a personal statement
- evidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)
- a reference
How we select
If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.
As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.
When to apply
- 2026 entry UCAS deadline: 14 January 2026 (6:00pm GMT)
This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.
To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 14 January 2026, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.
After you apply
After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:
Applying as an international student
As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS.
Visas and immigration
If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme.
Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process.
Agents
An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student.
We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact.
Accommodation
We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.
If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.
Societies and clubs
You will join a vibrant learning community home to active and engaged student societies like the Economics Society and the Edinburgh University Trading and Investment Club, which holds the UK’s biggest student-run investment portfolio. Our societies run events and activities throughout the year.
MathSoc is the University’s Mathematics Society. It is the society to join if you’re looking for an enjoyable mix of both academic and social events. MathSoc holds events throughout the year including:
- quizzes
- bitesize lectures
- collaborative events with the School of Maths
The city of Edinburgh
Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life.
Exercise, leisure and support facilities
Outside of your studies, we offer a range of facilities to daily life, including:
Health and wellbeing support
You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.
The support services we offer include:
- a student counselling service
- a health centre (doctor's surgery)
- support if you're living in University accommodation
- dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustment
Contact us
Contact us through our enquiry team if you have any questions about this programme.
Open days, events and visits
Find out when our next open days will be taking place
Open days, events and visitsChat to our students on Unibuddy
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Discover Uni data
This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.
It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.
Some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.
Economics and Mathematics at University of Edinburgh
To see official information about this course and others visit Discover Uni.
Economics and Mathematics at University of Edinburgh
To see official information about this course and others visit Discover Uni.