Curriculum tutoring
Do I Need Maths for Economics Abroad?
Learn why mathematics matters for economics admissions abroad, especially at LSE, Cambridge, Oxford and other selective universities.
By Oxbrivy Editorial Team. Reviewed by Oxbrivy curriculum tutoring desk.
Quick answer
For many selective economics courses, yes. Mathematics is often required or strongly expected.
Key takeaways
- For many selective economics courses, yes. Mathematics is often required or strongly expected.
- LSE BSc Economics requires A-Level Mathematics or equivalent and a high IB Mathematics score. Cambridge Economics requires Mathematics or equivalent and asks IB students for Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches. Oxford Economics and Management also requires Mathematics at A-Level, IB Higher Level or equivalent. Less quantitative economics or business courses may be more flexible, but top economics is maths-heavy.
- For selective economics, Mathematics is often required because university economics uses calculus, statistics, modelling and quantitative reasoning. Some business or social-science economics pathways are less mathematical, but top economics degrees are usually not.
- Applying for economics without strong Maths can make a shortlist collapse. Students may be admissible to broader business or management courses, but not to the economics programmes they actually want.
- Use Oxbrivy Specific Curriculum Tutoring to strengthen mathematics before it becomes the reason your economics shortlist collapses.
Oxbrivy practical ranking
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Quick answer
For many selective economics courses, yes. Mathematics is often required or strongly expected.
Expanded answer
LSE BSc Economics requires A-Level Mathematics or equivalent and a high IB Mathematics score. Cambridge Economics requires Mathematics or equivalent and asks IB students for Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches. Oxford Economics and Management also requires Mathematics at A-Level, IB Higher Level or equivalent. Less quantitative economics or business courses may be more flexible, but top economics is maths-heavy.
How to decide
For selective economics, Mathematics is often required because university economics uses calculus, statistics, modelling and quantitative reasoning. Some business or social-science economics pathways are less mathematical, but top economics degrees are usually not.
Admissions risk to watch
Applying for economics without strong Maths can make a shortlist collapse. Students may be admissible to broader business or management courses, but not to the economics programmes they actually want.
How tutoring should help
Maths tutoring should start early enough to affect predicted grades and confidence, especially for IB Math AA HL, A-Level Mathematics or strong CBSE Class 12 Mathematics.
How Oxbrivy helps
Use Oxbrivy Specific Curriculum Tutoring to strengthen mathematics before it becomes the reason your economics shortlist collapses.
Mini FAQ
Is Economics required? Often not, but useful. Is Maths required? For top economics, often yes. Is Further Maths useful? Very useful where available.
Sources and review note
This public guide is intended for student education. Visa, fee, scholarship, and work-rights rules can change quickly, so Oxbrivy verifies current official sources before giving personalised advice.
- UCAS entry requirements
- UCAS qualifications advice for international advisers
- UCAS entry requirements filter guidance
- UCAS predicted grades guidance
- International Baccalaureate course selection guidance
- International Baccalaureate university admission guidance
- International Baccalaureate recognition database guidance
- Cambridge International recognition in the USA
- Cambridge International recognition search
- Cambridge International worldwide recognition
- College Board AP at a Glance
- College Board international AP and SAT recognition search
- College Board AP international recognition FAQ
- College Board high school classes colleges look for
- University of Oxford international qualifications
- University of Oxford admissions requirements summary
- University of Cambridge international entry requirements
- University of Cambridge choosing high school subjects
- LSE BSc Economics
- LSE undergraduate entry requirements
- MIT international secondary school report FAQ
- Stanford international applicants
- Harvard first-year applicants
- Google Search Central helpful content guidance
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