Description
This qualification is only available until 31 December 2017.
To claim this qualification, you must complete the required 360 credits by this date.
If you have any questions about your eligibility for this qualification, please contact the Centre for Qualifications and Ceremonies on +44 (0)1908 653003 or by email.
Graduates who understand the commercial and economic environment and who are also highly numerate are in short supply. If you enjoy solving problems and you’re interested in the practical application of economics and mathematics, this degree course could be what you’re looking for. The BA/BSc (Honours) Economics and Mathematical Sciences gives you a thorough grounding in a broad range of mathematical, statistical and computational skills, and a sound knowledge of economic theory – together with a good understanding of economic issues. You’ll develop analytical and model building skills that can be applied in a variety of contexts, engage in economic debate, and assess different kinds of evidence and their usefulness in relation to economic theories. You’ll also learn how to apply the knowledge and skills learned by carrying out your own project work. By the end of your studies, you’ll be able to answer fundamental questions about our physical and economic world, and use a wide range of essential skills to solve real problems and make sound judgments – from everyday choices relating to your personal finances, to high-level strategic decisions in employment.
Planning your studies
Whether or not you're new to study or to the OU we recommend that you start with a module at Level 1.
For this degree that would mean starting with either Essential mathematics 1 (MST124) or one of the other Level 1 options listed below. In some cases it may be advisable to start your mathematical studies with Discovering mathematics (MU123). Discovering mathematics can be counted toward the 'free-choice' element of the degree. If you complete this Level 1 work successfully you’ll have a firm foundation for future studies as well as credits to count towards your degree.
You should note the time limitations on individual modules as mentioned below.
You should also note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 120 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you (with the exception of an undergraduate-level qualification of less than 120 credits). If you have graduated with an OU BA/BSc degree without honours and are continuing your studies on to honours, this minimum requirement is reduced to 60 credits. Before being awarded any intermediate qualifications on the way to your OU honours degree, we advise you to check that you’ll have sufficient new credits to qualify for your degree.
Career relevance and employability
This degree course will equip you with the mathematical, statistical and economics skills and knowledge required for a range of jobs in government, business, accountancy, banking, economics, data analysis, investment analysis, insurance, risk analysis, management and administration, market research, the voluntary sector and teaching. It may also help you to gain recognition from a professional body. You can view or download our Recognition leaflet 3.6 Institute of Mathematics and its Applications for further information.
The BA/BSc (Honours) Economics and Mathematical Sciences develops a wide variety of skills that are highly valued by employers. You’ll be able to construct economic, statistical and mathematical arguments with appropriate and critical use of concepts, theories, models and evidence. You’ll also learn to use modern mathematical and statistical software, and how to carry out a research project using appropriate research methods.
Many of the skills you’ll learn are highly transferrable and therefore applicable to a variety of situations – whether you’re already working, volunteering or changing career.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Modules
For this 360-credit honours degree you require:
30 credits from the following compulsory module:
| Level 1 compulsory module |
Credits |
Next start |
- Essential mathematics 1 (MST124)
|
30 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued module MST121
And at least 30 credits from the following optional modules:
| Level 1 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Investigating the social world (DD103)
|
60 |
|
- You and your money: personal finance in context (DB123)
|
30 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules DD100, DD101, DD121, DD122, DD131, DD132, T171, T172, T173, T174, T175
And 90 credits from the following compulsory modules:
| Level 2 compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Analysing data (M248)
|
30 |
|
- Running the economy (DD209)
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules BM240, DD202
And 90 credits from the following compulsory modules:
| Level 3 compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Doing economics: people, markets and policy (DD309)
|
60 |
|
- Linear statistical modelling (M346)
|
30 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued module D319
And 60 credits (or 90 credits) from one of the following options:
| Option 1 (60 credits) |
Credits |
Next start |
- Mathematical methods (MST224) and
|
30 |
|
- Optimisation (M373)
|
30 |
|
- Deterministic and stochastic dynamics (MS327)
|
30 |
|
| Option 2 (60 credits) |
Credits |
Next start |
- Mathematical methods MST224
|
30 |
|
- Applications of probability (M343)
|
30 |
|
| Option 3 (60 or 90 credits) |
Credits |
Next start |
- Mathematical methods (MST224)
|
30 |
|
- or
|
- Pure mathematics (M208)
|
60 |
|
- and
|
- Graphs, networks and design (MT365)
|
30 |
|
| Option 4 (90 credits) |
Credits |
Next start |
- Mathematical methods (MST224)
|
30 |
|
- International relations: continuity and
change in global politics (DD313)
|
60 |
|
| Option 5 (90 credits) |
Credits |
Next start |
- Mathematical methods (MST224)
|
30 |
|
- Practical modern statistics (M249)
|
30 |
|
- Mathematical statistics (M347)
|
30 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, for Options 1–4 at Level 2 the discontinued module MST209, for Option 3 at Level 2 the discontinued module M203, for Option 4 at Level 3 the discontinued modules DU301, DU321, for Option 5 at Level 2 the discontinued module MS221
To complete the 360 credits needed for an honours degree, the remaining credits up to a maximum of 60 can be from any OU undergraduate modules. Or a maximum of 30 credits is you have studied the discontinued 60-credit module MST209 for Options 1–3. If you studied the discontinued 60-credit module MST209 for Option 4 you do not need to complete any further study. You must ensure that you have the required number of credits at each level. Either Discovering mathematics (MU123) or Essential mathematics 2 (MST12) is highly recommended.
The modules listed can count towards this degree for a maximum of ten years after we have stopped presenting them. Please see module descriptions for future availability.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of modules so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
Classification of your degree
On successful completion of the required number and type of modules you will be awarded a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) or Bachelor of Science (Honours) Economics and Mathematical Sciences degree. Your honours degree will be classified either as first-class honours, upper second-class honours, lower second-class honours or third-class honours. The class of degree is determined by the best grades you achieve in a minimum of 120 and up to 240 credits from those modules above Level 1 listed above. At least 120 of those credits must come from modules at Level 3. You will have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
How to register
If you want to study for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of
our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the
module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
During the registration procedure you will be asked to declare which qualification you are studying towards.
See a full list of modules available for this qualification