BSc Mathematics, Statistics and Business

Dive into the real-world applications of maths and statistics in business. Complete practical projects, with opportunities for internship in the City.

Key information

Study mode Home full-time ( Three years ) Open Overseas full-time ( Three years ) Open Academic year Start date 20 September 2025 Houghton Street, London Application deadline 29 January 2025 BSc Mathematics, Statistics and Business at LSE

Overview

Introduction

The BSc in Mathematics, Statistics and Business provides a thorough grounding in the practical application of mathematical and statistical theory in the business world.

Taught in a supportive and friendly department, you’ll study an incredibly broad range of topics covering maths, statistics, economics and accounting in your first year. From the second year, you can tailor your studies to suit your interests and career aspirations by choosing one of the following pathways:

You’ll get stuck into practical projects – helping to develop your problem-solving and communication skills. Many of our students also complete internships in actuarial and financial firms or placement companies during their degree – providing invaluable workplace experience and providing the edge over other graduates.

Several courses also provide exemptions from professional examinations from the Institute of Actuaries.

Preliminary readings

Watch The Joy of Stats, a documentary that gives an insight into the exciting world of statistics.

For an introduction to mathematics as it is applied in economics and finance:

Much of university level mathematics and statistics is concerned with formal proofs and rigorous mathematical argument and this is necessary for some of the advanced mathematics required in finance, economics and other fields of application. For an introduction, we recommend:

Entry requirements

Here, you can check our entry requirements for GCSEs, A-levels (please read them alongside our information about subject combinations) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. We also consider applications from students with a range of other UK qualifications and from overseas. Please select the overseas button below and choose your country from the dropdown list to find the equivalency to A-levels of your qualification.

Home

GCSEs

For GCSEs, you’ll need a strong pre-16 academic profile such as several GCSE grades of A (or 7) and A* (or 8-9).

We also ask for a good set of GCSE grades or equivalent across a broad range of subjects, with a minimum of grade B (or 6) in GCSE English and Mathematics.

A-levels

Mathematics A*AA, with an A* in Mathematics

Where it's offered by your school or college, AS- or A-level Further Mathematics is expected to be taken and a grade A achieved.

We also consider your AS grades, if available.

Contextual admissions A-level grades

AAA with an A in Mathematics (although we prefer A*AB with an A* inMathematics if possible)

Read our undergraduate admissions information to learn more about contextual admissions.

A-level subject combinations

IB Diploma

38 points overall, including 766 in higher level subjects, with 7 in "Mathematics: analysis and approaches"

Contextual admissions IB grades

37 points overall, including 765 in higher level subjects, with 7 in "Mathematics: analysis and approaches"

Read our undergraduate admissions information to learn more about contextual admissions.

Overseas

Select a country Search for a country

Additional tests

Applicants are encouraged to take the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA). The test is not mandatory, however a good performance on the test may make an application more competitive.

We welcome students from all walks of life at LSE. We want to recruit students with the very best academic merit, potential and motivation. So, whatever your background, please do apply. Get all the details on our general entry requirements.

Competition for places at LSE is high. We cannot guarantee you an offer of a place even if you’re predicted or achieve our standard entry requirements.

Our standard offer requirements are intended only as a guide and, in some cases, you’ll be asked for different grades.

Programme content

On this programme, you’ll study 12 units over three years, plus LSE100.

Our degrees in Actuarial Science and Financial Mathematics and Statistics have similar first-year courses to this programme. In some circumstances, you can move between these degrees in your second year.

Year 1

In your first year, you’ll take compulsory courses in mathematics, statistics and microeconomics and choose optional courses to the value of one and a half units. Additionally, you’ll also take LSE100.

Elementary Statistical Theory

Mathematical Methods

Microeconomics I

The LSE Course

Choose courses to the value of half a unit from the following:

Macroeconomics I

Finance

EITHER choose the following course:

Introduction to Abstract Mathematics

OR choose two half unit courses from the following options:

Elements of Financial Accounting

Elements of Management Accounting, Financial Management and Financial Institutions

Macroeconomics I

Finance

Mathematical Proof and Analysis

Programming for Data Science

Year 2

Your second year includes a course in Further Mathematical Methods and two applied statistics courses. You’ll also take another course in statistics or mathematics and choose your fourth course from economics, finance, accounting or mathematics or outside options.

Further Mathematical Methods (Calculus)

Further Mathematical Methods (Linear Algebra)

EITHER:

Probability, Distribution Theory and Inference

Applied Regression

And for those who took MA103 in Year 1, courses to the value of half a unit from the following options:

Real Analysis

Optimisation Theory

Differential Equations

Discrete Mathematics

Algebra and Number Theory

Operations Research Techniques

Algorithms and Data Structures

Sample Surveys and Experiments

Databases

Actuarial Investigations: Financial

Survival Models

And for those who did not take MA103 in Year 1, courses to the value of half a unit from the following options:

Mathematical Proof and Analysis

Operations Research Techniques

Sample Surveys and Experiments

Databases

Actuarial Investigations: Financial

Survival Models

OR:

Probability and Distribution Theory

Applied Regression

And for those who took MA103 in Year 1, courses to the value of one unit from the following options:

Real Analysis

Optimisation Theory

Differential Equations

Discrete Mathematics

Algebra and Number Theory

Operations Research Techniques

Algorithms and Data Structures

Sample Surveys and Experiments

Databases

Actuarial Investigations: Financial

Survival Models

And for those who did not take MA103 in Year 1, courses to the value of one unit from the following options:

Mathematical Proof and Analysis

Optimisation Theory

Differential Equations

Discrete Mathematics

Operations Research Techniques

Algorithms and Data Structures

Sample Surveys and Experiments

Databases

Actuarial Investigations: Financial

Survival Models

FINALLY, courses to the value of one unit from the following list (some of them with restrictions):

Elements of Financial Accounting

Elements of Management Accounting, Financial Management and Financial Institutions

Accounting Theory and Practice

Microeconomics II

Macroeconomics II

Econometrics I

Econometrics II

Principles of Finance I

Principles of Finance II

Or one outside option with approval

Consult the programme regulations to browse the options available

Year 3

In the final year, you’ll have plenty of flexibility to tailor your studies to your interests and career aspirations. Choose from advanced topics in statistics, mathematics, accounting, economics and finance.

Courses to the value of four units from a range of options in statistics, mathematics, accounting, economics and finance

Consult the programme regulations to browse the options available

Programme regulations

For the latest list of optional courses, please go to the relevant School Calendar page.

You may be able to take a language, literature or linguistics option as part of your degree. Find all the details on our Language Centre web pages.

A few important points you’ll need to know:

We may need to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees due to unforeseen circumstances. We’ll always notify you as early as possible and recommend alternatives where we can.

The School is not liable for changes to published information or for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside our control (including a lack of demand, industrial action, fire, flooding or other damage to premises).

Places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements so we cannot therefore guarantee you a place.

Changes to programmes and courses may be made after you’ve accepted your offer of a place – normally due to global developments in the discipline or student feedback. We may also make changes to course content, teaching formats or assessment methods but these are always made to improve the learning experience.

For full details about the availability or content of courses and programmes, please take a look at the School’s Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department.

Some major changes to programmes/courses are posted on our updated undergraduate course and programme information page.

Why study with us

Discover more about our students and department.

Meet the department

The Department of Statistics at LSE is one of the oldest and most distinguished in the UK.

The department has an international reputation for the development of statistical methodology and a long history of pioneering contributions to research and teaching. Many of the world’s most famous and innovative statisticians have been associated with LSE.

Our research spans four main areas – data science, probability in finance and insurance, social statistics and time series, and statistical learning. The department has close links with the Data Science Institute at LSE – an interdisciplinary institute that fosters the study of data science, with a particular emphasis on the social, economic and political contexts.

All aspects of our research were ranked world-leading or internationally excellent in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2021), submitted jointly with the Department of Mathematics.

The department’s research strengths are reflected in our teaching curriculum. We have a comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and doctoral research opportunities – hosted in a vibrant department with a supportive and friendly community of staff and students.

Our alumni enjoy successful careers in diverse areas, such as banking, accounting, finance, statistics, government and business consulting while others pursue postgraduate study or research. Our alumni frequently return to LSE to share their career experiences with current students.

Learn more about our programmes and research.